Why does gestational diabetes occur during pregnancy?
My sugar test came slightly high at 26 weeks and doc said it could be gestational diabetes. Nobody in my family has diabetes so im confused why it happened now. Trying to understand the reason.
Basically pregnancy hormones mess with how insulin works, so sugar control gets harder for some women. Its not your fault. The good part is its manageable with diet, light activity and sometimes meds, and your doctor monitors it. Most go back to normal after baby.
My gynac explained it as insulin resistance caused by pregnancy hormones. The body needs more insulin during pregnancy and if the pancreas cant keep up, blood sugar goes high. Risk is higher with family history of diabetes, higher weight, or PCOS. The GTT test around 24-28 weeks catches it.
I had GD so I'll share what my doctor told me. In pregnancy the placenta makes hormones that block insulin a bit, so sugar rises. Some women's body cant make enough extra insulin to keep up, and thats gestational diabetes. It usually goes after delivery but you have to manage diet and sugar checks meanwhile.
With my PCOS background I was told I had higher chance of GD, and it does link to insulin resistance which pregnancy adds to. Dont feel guilty if you get it. Just follow the diet plan and monitoring your doctor gives, it really helps keep things in control.
