Early Gestational Diabetes: What This Means for You and Your Baby

Welcome back, Mamas!

Did you know gestational diabetes (GDM) isn't just a concern for the late stages of pregnancy? For some expectant mamas, especially those with certain risk factors, this condition can actually show up much earlier than the typical 24-28 week screening period. 

An early diagnosis might suggest pre-existing undiagnosed type 2 diabetes or a significant early response to pregnancy-induced insulin resistance.

During pregnancy, your body undergoes hormonal changes that increase insulin resistance. This is normally a natural process to help provide more glucose to your growing baby. However, in the case of some early gestational diabetes, this insulin resistance is excessive early on, leading to higher-than-normal blood glucose levels. 

Knowing about gestational diabetes early in your pregnancy journey may be upsetting, but it allows more time to help keep blood sugars on target to have a healthy pregnancy compared to finding out later in the pregnancy.

Before we continue, we want you to know that managing gestational diabetes is a learning curve and requires ongoing support. We help hundreds of mamas navigate the complexities of gestational diabetes each year, and we want to help you now too! Our resources cover everything from understanding the risks, ensuring accurate blood sugar checks, diet and nutrition tips, and managing the postpartum period to fixing fasting values, grocery shopping, and eating out!

Click here to learn more and have a happy, healthy pregnancy with gestational diabetes.

The Role of Hormones

Several hormones play a role in increasing insulin resistance, which can lead to gestational diabetes. Here’s a closer look at these hormones:

• Human Placental Lactogen (hPL): As the placenta grows, it produces more hPL, which increases insulin resistance. This hormone helps ensure that your baby gets enough glucose but can also make it harder for your body to use insulin effectively.

• Progesterone and Estrogen: These hormones rise during pregnancy and can affect how your body responds to insulin. Increased levels of progesterone and estrogen can make your cells more resistant to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels.

• Cortisol: This stress hormone also increases during pregnancy and can raise blood sugar levels by making your cells more resistant to insulin.

How is Early GDM Managed?

Early-detected gestational diabetes is actually often managed much like diabetes that exists before pregnancy (pregestational diabetes) versus to treating it as a later-diagnosed gestational diabetes. While management styles are very similar for both pregestational and gestational diabetes, there may be some small differences because of increases risks.

Increased Risks and Why They Matter

Being diagnosed early with gestational diabetes increases certain risks.

A couple to pay close attention to are:

• For Your Little One: High blood sugar can increase your baby's risk of birth defects, especially heart. Because of this risk, a specialized ultrasound called a fetal echocardiogram is usually recommended to make sure your baby’s heart is developing properly.

• For You: There's a higher chance of developing conditions like high blood pressure and preeclampsia. To reduce these risks, The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend low-dose aspirin (81 mg) daily starting at 12-16 weeks (unless otherwise contraindicated) to help reduce the risk of preeclampsia. But always remember to speak with your healthcare provider first before starting any medication to ensure it’s the right fit for you! 

With higher risks, it's important to have more frequent check-ups with early gestational diabetes. This may include more ultrasounds to monitor your baby’s growth and extra tests like Biophysical Profiles (BPPs) or Non-Stress Tests (NSTs) to keep track of your baby’s health throughout the pregnancy.

Medication Needs

Initially, managing your blood sugar through diet and exercise might do the trick for early gestational diabetes. But as your pregnancy progresses, your body’s response to insulin can change, and insulin resistance might increase suddenly. If diet and exercise aren’t enough to keep your blood sugar levels in check, you might need to add medication to your management plan.

This is a common occurence and does not mean you are failing — many mamas need a little extra help!

Always work closely with your healthcare provider to decide the best course of action for you and your baby. They’ll monitor your progress and determine if and when medication or insulin is necessary, ensuring you get the support you need at the right time. Remember, the goal is to keep both you and your baby healthy!

The Importance of Consistent Monitoring

No matter the strategy, keeping a constant eye on your blood sugar levels is so very important! Well-managed levels are the key to a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Keeping a closer watch on your glucose levels can help manage them more effectively and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Wrapping Up

Discovering gestational diabetes early gives you a head start in managing the condition effectively, ensuring you and your baby stay healthy. It's about adapting your lifestyle and treatment as your pregnancy evolves and facing the challenges head-on with informed, proactive choices. Early detection of gestational diabetes is a pivotal aspect of prenatal care that can significantly influence the health outcomes for both you and your baby.

Embracing this early warning can help tailor your pregnancy journey to be as healthy as possible.

Join us on our social media platforms, Instagram and TikTok, for more insights and support on managing gestational diabetes, where we delve deeper into not just surviving, but thriving with gestational diabetes! From nutritional tips to comprehensive management strategies, our community is here to support each step of your pregnancy journey.

Until next time, Mamas! Stay informed, stay healthy, and remember, we're here to support you every step of the way!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace or substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in this blog. GDMamas, LLC assumes no liability for inaccuracies, errors, or omissions in the information presented.