Complications

 Gestational diabetes that's not carefully managed can lead to high blood
sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your
baby, including an increased likelihood of needing a surgery to deliver (C-
section).For example is,a large baby – which increases the risk of a
difficult birth, having your labour induced or needing a Caesarean section.
a miscarriage.Diabetes in pregnancy increases risk of fetal macrosomia,
shoulder dystocia, pre-eclampsia, cesarean delivery, stillbirth, and, if
preexisting or gestational diabetes is poorly controlled during
organogenesis, major congenital malformations and spontaneous
abortion.

Complications that may affect your baby.If you have gestational diabetes,
your baby may be at increased risk of:

 Excessive birth weight. If your blood sugar level is higher than the
standard range, it can cause your baby to grow too large. Very large
babies. Those who weigh 9 pounds or more, are more likely to become
wedged in the birth canal, have birth injuries or need a C-section birth.
 Early (preterm) birth. High blood sugar may increase the risk of early labor
and delivery before the due date.
 Serious breathing difficulties. Babies born early may experience
respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that makes breathing difficult.

 Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Sometimes babies have low blood

sugar (hypoglycemia) shortly after birth. Severe episodes of hypoglycemia
may cause seizures in the baby. Prompt feedings and sometimes an
intravenous glucose solution can return the baby's blood sugar level to
normal
 Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Babies have a higher risk of
developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
 Stillbirth. Untreated gestational diabetes can result in a baby's death
either before or shortly after birth.

Complications that may affect you as a mother:

 High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. Gestational diabetes raises your

risk of high blood pressure, as well as pre-eclampsia, a serious
complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and other
symptoms that can threaten both your life and your baby's life.

 Having a surgical delivery (C-section). You're more likely to have a C-

section if you have gestational diabetes.

 Future diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, you're more likely to get
it again during a future pregnancy. You also have a higher risk of
developing type 2 diabetes as you get older.
PREVENTION
There are no guarantees when it comes to preventing gestational diabetes,
but the more healthy habits you can adopt before pregnancy, the better. If
you've had gestational diabetes, these healthy choices may also reduce your
risk of having it again in future pregnancies

 Eat healthy foods. Choose foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories.
Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you
achieve your goals without compromising taste or nutrition. Watch portion
sizes.
 Keep active. Exercising before and during pregnancy can help protect you
from developing gestational diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate
activity on most days of the week. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike.
Swim laps. Short bursts of activity

 Start pregnancy at a healthy weight. If you're planning to get pregnant,

losing extra weight beforehand may help you have a healthier pregnancy.
Focus on making lasting changes to your eating habits that can help you
through pregnancy, such as eating more vegetables and fruits.

 Don't gain more weight than recommended. Gaining some weight during
pregnancy is typical and healthy. But gaining too much weight too quickly
can increase your risk of gestational diabetes.

It involves providing the client or couple with information regarding the

disease condition, teaching insulin administration, achieving and maintaining
normoglycemia, and evaluating the present client or fetal well-being.

Reference:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/
symptoms-causes/syc-20355339?
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