Gestational Diabetes Cases on the Rise in Milwaukee

Gestational diabetes cases are on the rise in Milwaukee, occurring in up to % 20 of pregnant women.

Gestational diabetes is a form of high blood sugar affecting pregnant women. 

During pregnancy, the body becomes more resistant to insulin so more glucose is available to nourish the baby.

If the pancreas can’t keep up with the increased demand for insulin, blood sugar levels rise too high and this results in gestational diabetes.

It needs to be caught by a medical professional because it can cause health problems for both the mother and baby.

There are about 200,000 cases of gestational diabetes diagnosed every year. Usually, the most is no longer diabetic after delivering her baby, but having gestational diabetes may put a mother at a higher risk of developing Type II diabetes later in life. 

Specific risk factors include being age 25 or older, having a close relative with diabetes, being overweight, especially with a BMI of 30 or higher, and having gestational diabetes before.

Most women don’t have any signs or symptoms. Your doctor will offer you a screening test when you’re between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant – the oral glucose screening test. You will drink a sweet liquid and then an hour later, you’ll have a blood test to check your glucose levels. 

If you’ve got gestational diabetes, you’re more likely to go into labor early.  You may have a higher risk of high blood pressure or preeclampsia.

Babies of women with gestational diabetes are more likely to be bigger than average.

The most important way to ensure a healthy pregnancy is to follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. This includes sticking to a healthy meal plan, monitoring your blood sugar, exercising and going to all of your prenatal appointments.

A specialist from Aurora Health Care will be a special live guest Thursday on the CBS 58 News at 4.

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