What Can Gestational Diabetes Do to Your Baby?
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Baby in pregnancy needs plenty of energy to develop & grow. But if the baby’s body is supplied with too much blood sugar, there is a chance for the baby to get higher energy supply and stored as fat.
If this continuously occurs, it increases the risk of a condition called ‘macrosomia’ or gaining weigh excessively – as a result, you are likely to deliver a overweight newborn (larger or heavier than average).
If you are not diagnosed with GD in your first pregnancy but you deliver an overweight baby (over 9 pounds), you may also have a greater chance of developing GD in your next pregnancy.
Furthermore, babies with macrosomia are also at high risk of some pregnancy complications, which may include:
- Hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar) due to the excessive production of insulin during pregnancy.
- Breathing problems (such as respiratory distress syndrome).
- The risk of having obesity problem later in their life.
In addition, poorly-controlled gestational diabetes may cause increased risk of type-2 diabetes for your baby. Moreover, uncontrolled blood sugar in pregnant women with GD can increase the risk of delivering the baby earlier before the due date.
What are risks to baby and mother with diabetes in pregnancy ?
Do you need to be induced at 38 weeks
There should be nothing to worry as long as the blood sugar level is controlled as well – it’s much better to work with your doctor for more comprehensive guidance.
Complications from uncontrolled high blood sugar during pregnancy can vary. In babies, this may cause; excessive birth weight, early (preterm) birth, low blood sugar shortly after birth, and would increase their risk of developing type-2 diabetes later in life.
In mothers, this may cause hypertension, preeclampsia, and the risk of type-2 diabetes (in case if you’re not yet diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy)
How about inducing labor? There are several factors to be considered before making this decision. One of them is when your pregnancy is approaching 2 weeks beyond your normal due date and your labor has not naturally started. But again this is a critical decision, talk to your doctor for more advice!