Recognizing 5 Common Signs of Gestational Diabetes

Are you concerned about gestational diabetes? While your body fat percentage can play a role in your risk, this pregnancy-related condition can develop even if you've never had concerns about diabetes or insulin resistance before.

Hormonal shifts and changes during pregnancy can sometimes lead to the onset of gestational diabetes. In this condition, your body experiences insulin resistance while you're pregnant, meaning it can no longer effectively utilize the naturally occurring chemical insulin.

Gestational diabetes can potentially result in complications for both the mother and the fetus, impacting the delivery process as well.

At Living Water Clinic, our team of family medicine providers is dedicated to delivering high-quality care to patients with various types of diabetes. We prioritize the health and well-being of expectant mothers in and around Porterville, Lindsay, and Visalia, California.

If you're concerned about gestational diabetes or if you notice any of these warning signs, don't hesitate to reach out to the primary care doctors at Living Water Clinic for the monitoring, support, and treatment you need to maintain good health throughout your pregnancy. Here are five symptoms to be aware of:

1. Yeast Infections

If you develop gestational diabetes, your body struggles to absorb glucose from food and beverages, causing your blood sugar levels to rise. Elevated sugar levels can provide nourishment to the bacteria responsible for yeast infections.

If you experience more frequent yeast infections during pregnancy, it's advisable to get tested for gestational diabetes. The team at Living Water Clinic can also help alleviate uncomfortable yeast infection symptoms like itching.

     2. Increased Urination and Thirst

Gestational diabetes can lead to heightened thirst and more frequent urination as your body strives to acquire the resources it needs in the face of insulin resistance.

If you find yourself visiting the restroom more often or constantly refilling your glass or water bottle, gestational diabetes could be the underlying cause.

3. Blurred Vision

Hydration-related issues stemming from elevated blood sugar levels can result in physical problems, including blurred vision. This is another early warning sign of gestational diabetes to be vigilant about, and you shouldn't delay in consulting our primary care team to address the issue.

4. Weight Loss, Nausea, and Vomiting

Some common symptoms of gestational diabetes can resemble typical early pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, which often occur in the first trimester regardless of whether gestational diabetes is present.

One key distinction can be found in your appetite and weight. If you're losing weight despite an increased appetite, gestational diabetes may be the cause.

5. Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom associated with both gestational diabetes and pregnancy in general. Pregnancy often leads to fatigue, even under normal circumstances.

However, when your body is also contending with the challenges of gestational diabetes, the situation becomes more serious, necessitating medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.

The family medicine doctors at Living Water Clinic recommend routine screening for gestational diabetes, typically performed between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. This is because not every case of gestational diabetes presents with noticeable warning signs. If you have a higher risk for gestational diabetes, you may require earlier or more frequent testing.

For testing and support related to gestational diabetes, don't hesitate to reach out to the professional and compassionate team at Living Water Clinic. You can easily schedule an appointment at one of our locations by calling us today or by requesting an appointment online.