How Is Gestational Diabetes Treated?

When your pregnancy is affected by gestational diabetes, it’s important to have all the facts. This condition, which is often only temporary, can pose serious problems for both you and your developing fetus.

At Longoria OBGYN, experienced women’s health care provider Dr. Leonardo A. Longoria provides expert care and treatment for pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes. Dr. Longoria treats new and existing patients from around the El Paso, Texas, area.

Dr. Longoria can diagnose your gestational diabetes as well as provide you with recommendations for how to treat and manage your condition to safeguard your pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know about gestational diabetes treatment.

Causes and risks of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes shares some similarities with other types of diabetes but also comes from unique causes. Since it occurs during pregnancy, this condition also has unique risks you need to be aware of. 

Gestational diabetes happens as a result of the major hormone shifts that take place in your body during pregnancy. Your hormones play a big role in your metabolism and ability to utilize insulin.

Your body naturally produces insulin, a chemical that allows your cells to take in energy from the sugars that enter your bloodstream when you eat. If you develop gestational diabetes, your body becomes resistant to insulin, meaning your cells don’t successfully pull energy out of your bloodstream. Another result of insulin resistance is chronically high blood sugar levels.

There are lots of reasons you might be at risk for developing gestational diabetes. You don’t need a history of diabetes to be at risk. However, your risk does go up if you have a high body fat percentage, prediabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of gestational diabetes, or a hormone disorder like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What are the risks of gestational diabetes? This condition can cause disruptions in your pregnancy, including preeclampsia, premature delivery, and high birth weight. Babies born after pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes also risk ongoing low blood glucose issues and have a higher risk of respiratory problems.

Treating gestational diabetes

Dr. Longoria works with you to ensure your gestational diabetes is fully managed during your pregnancy. 

He recommends screening for this condition at regular intervals after conception so you’re forewarned about your treatment needs. If you have notable risk factors that elevate your chances of developing gestational diabetes, you need more frequent screening.

To manage your gestational diabetes, you need to pay careful attention to your blood sugar while the condition lasts. This may mean special diets, instructions on when and how much you should eat, and recommendations for regular blood sugar monitoring. Healthy weight loss can reduce the impact of gestational diabetes on mother and baby.

The medication metformin often works well as a treatment for gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Talk to Dr. Longoria about whether medication management is right for your pregnancy.

If you’re dealing with gestational diabetes, know that you’re not alone. Dr. Longoria provides the care you need to successfully manage this complication and deliver a healthy baby at the end of your pregnancy. 

For screening and support with gestational diabetes, schedule your initial consultation by calling our office today or requesting a visit online anytime.