Causes of Gestational Diabetes
Researchers do not understand why few women have gestational diabetes compared to others. Sometimes, excessive weight before pregnancy plays a significant role. Several hormones normally function to regulate blood glucose levels. However, alterations in hormone levels during pregnancy make it difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar effectively. This causes an increase in blood glucose levels. During pregnancy, the female body produces special hormones to preserve the pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce the additional insulin required for normal pregnancy function. Insulin is the primary hormone produced by the pancreas, and it helps the body utilize the excess glucose in the blood for energy. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels, and its ineffectiveness or lack of availability poses a grave threat to both the developing embryo and the mother.
The female body undergoes alterations during pregnancy, including weight gain, which contributes to glucose intolerance. Insulin resistance describes the inability of the body’s cells to effectively utilize insulin due to the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. During the third trimester of pregnancy, all expectant women exhibit insulin resistance to some degree. Although the majority of pregnant women can produce sufficient insulin, there are a few who cannot, resulting to the development of gestational diabetes.
However, the underlying cause may be unique to each woman; nevertheless, the following are some common causes of gestational diabetes:
Being overweight or obese
Obesity and excess weight have a direct correlation with the development of gestational diabetes. Obese or overweight women may already have insulin resistance when they become expectant. In addition, weight gain during pregnancy may play a role in the development of gestational diabetes in the later months of a woman’s pregnancy.
Family ancestry
Possessing a close relative with a history of diabetes can also increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Women with a family history of diabetes are more likely than other women to develop gestational diabetes, indicating that genes play a significant role.
Hormonal alterations
Gestational diabetes can be caused by hormonal fluctuations and the manner in which our body converts nutrients to energy. In addition to leading to gestational diabetes, the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy cause an imbalance in metabolic processes. Insulin is a hormone that breaks down glucose from food and transports it to body cells. Insulin maintains a constant glucose concentration in the body. However, if insulin is ineffective or we do not consume enough glucose, glucose accumulates up in the blood and causes diabetes. During pregnancy, hormones can inhibit the optimal functioning of insulin in women. Consequently, insulin may not regulate blood sugar levels as it should, which may lead to gestational diabetes. (25)
