Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that can have lasting effects on both mother and child if not managed correctly.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs explicitly during pregnancy. Though it may be temporary, its impact can be significant for both mother and child.
Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects pregnant women, typically during the second or third trimester and is characterized by high blood sugar levels that start or are first diagnosed during pregnancy. Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes isn't caused by a lack of insulin but by the body's response to the insulin produced during pregnancy.
Though gestational diabetes usually resolves after giving birth, it does increase the mother's risk of developing Type-2 Diabetes later in life. It can also have long-term effects on the child's health, making managing it crucial.
The exact cause of gestational diabetes isn't known, but it's believed to be related to hormonal changes during pregnancy. The placenta supports the baby's growth and produces hormones to assist the pregnancy. Some of these hormones make cells more resistant to insulin.
As the placenta grows, more hormones are produced, increasing insulin resistance. Typically, the pancreas can make additional insulin to overcome this resistance, but when it can't, glucose levels rise, resulting in gestational diabetes.
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