Complications of gestational diabetes - Birth of a baby with high weight (macrosomia) - Abortion - stillbirth - Pregnancy toxicity (pre-eclampsia) Cause of gestational diabetes During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the mother's body to provide energy for the mother and the fetus, as well as the mother's weight gain during this period. As a result, the mother's need for insulin increases, and if the mother's body cannot provide the insulin she needs, the mother's blood sugar increases and she develops gestational diabetes. What factors can increase the incidence of gestational diabetes? The risk of developing gestational diabetes increases if a person has one or more of the following: If the first-degree family of the pregnant person has type 2 diabetes, such as father, mother, siblings Age over 25 years or more People who are overweight or obese A person who had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy. Birth history of a baby weighing more than 4 kg A history of PCO syndrome or ovarian indolence A person whose HDL is less than 45 or whose TG is above 150 Diagnosis of gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes is usually diagnosed with blood tests that are performed at the beginning or in the second trimester of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually occurs in the third trimester. It is recommended that blood sugar screening tests be performed during 28-24 weeks of pregnancy. The blood sugar screening test is done in such a way that after consuming a certain amount of glucose, the person's blood sugar is measured in the laboratory one hour and two hours later, and the results are checked by a gynecologist who must be under their supervision. ### Gestational diabetes symptoms Gestational diabetes usually has no specific symptoms and the only way to diagnose it is to perform a blood sugar screening test. ### The effects of gestational diabetes on the fetus: If the mother has high sugar and is not treated, it can have the following temporary effects High birth weight of the baby Difficult natural childbirth Stuck the shoulder in the birth canal during childbirth (dystocia *shoulder*) Hypoglycemia of the newborn immediately after birth Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in the future What is the treatment of gestational diabetes? The goal of treatment of gestational diabetes is to maintain the mother's blood sugar in the normal range, the mother's appropriate weight gain and the appropriate growth of the fetus in order to reduce as much as possible the complications of the fetus and the mother caused by gestational diabetes. Treatment includes proper nutrition of the mother and, if necessary, starting insulin to maintain blood sugar in the normal range. #### How should nutrition in gestational diabetes be: The consumption of sweets should be limited. Food sources of fiber, such as legumes, vegetables, and grains, should be consumed. In general, the consumption of carbohydrates should be limited. Blood sugar check in pregnant mothers with gestational diabetes Fasting blood sugar should be measured Blood sugar should be measured two hours after breakfast Blood sugar should be measured two hours after lunch Blood sugar should be measured two hours after dinner Fasting blood sugar should be less than 100 Blood sugar two hours after a meal should be less than 120 Postpartum care for mothers with gestational diabetes Usually, after giving birth, the blood sugar of a mother with gestational diabetes will decrease and she will not need to take insulin or diet, but it is better for the mother to go to her gynecologist 40 days after giving birth and check the necessary tests, especially blood sugar. Usually, 90-95% of mothers with gestational diabetes will return to the normal range after giving birth, and only 10-15% of mothers with gestational diabetes may still have high blood sugar and need to continue treatment. Mothers who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during their pregnancy should prevent the possibility of developing type 2 diabetes during their lifetime by modifying their lifestyle and controlling the consumption of sweets, carbohydrates and appropriate foods. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy, be sure to consult your gynecologist before getting pregnant.