Gestational diabetes and what it means for me and my baby

Obstetrician & Gynecologist Anthony Chin, MD, explains what Gestational Diabetes is and what changes it can make to the mother and baby's bodies during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Effects of Gestational Diabetes on the Baby and Mother
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Gestational diabetes and what it means for me and my baby

Comment
111
Like
111
Transcription: 
Gestational diabetes is otherwise known as diabetes of pregnancy. A woman who is not previously diabetic, when they become pregnant, certain substances in the placenta can be produced that will have a woman become insulin resistant, thereby acting like a diabetic. And just like a diabetic woman, the blood sugar can rise. We basically need to aware of diabetes in pregnancy because it can affect the baby negatively. If the baby has a lot of sugar around it, it can actually get disproportionally big, what we all macrosomic, which can make the delivery very difficult. In addition, if the baby is seeing a lot of blood sugar while in utero, the baby´s insulin levels will be high. When the baby is therefore born and is no longer seeing a lot of blood sugar, the insulin production still remains high and the baby´s blood sugar can actually bottom out. And the baby can get very sick and actually have seizures. So it is of paramount importance to control mothers´blood sugar levels while pregnant.

Obstetrician & Gynecologist Anthony Chin, MD, explains what Gestational Diabetes is and what changes it can make to the mother and baby's bodies during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Related Videos

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Anthony Chin, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Dr. Anthony Chin was born in Hollywood, CA and raised in Santa Monica, CA.  He was educated at UCLA and graduated with a BS in Molecular Biology.  Dr. Chin attended medical school at UCLA and finished his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.  Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and published in peer reviewed journals, Dr. Chin is the  recipient of several research, patient satisfaction and teaching awards, and continues to be involved with the teaching of medical students and resident physicians.  He is happily married and has a three month old daughter named Alaia Rose. 

More Parenting Videos from Anthony Chin, MD >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter
  Listen or Watch
Must See First Year Videos
Three important rules about your baby's first foods
First year milestones
Postnatal depression and loneliness advice
Baby losing interest in nursing
The importance of spending quality time during early childhood
Narrating an infant's environment
Research based benefits of co-sleeping
Bonding versus attachment
Bonding with your baby after a less-than-perfect birth
Preventing postpartum depression
Play All 34 Videos
Featured Experts: Alan Greene, MD, Lawrence Kagan, MD, Barbara Olinger, MSW
More Playlists >
Transcription: 
Gestational diabetes is otherwise known as diabetes of pregnancy. A woman who is not previously diabetic, when they become pregnant, certain substances in the placenta can be produced that will have a woman become insulin resistant, thereby acting like a diabetic. And just like a diabetic woman, the blood sugar can rise. We basically need to aware of diabetes in pregnancy because it can affect the baby negatively. If the baby has a lot of sugar around it, it can actually get disproportionally big, what we all macrosomic, which can make the delivery very difficult. In addition, if the baby is seeing a lot of blood sugar while in utero, the baby´s insulin levels will be high. When the baby is therefore born and is no longer seeing a lot of blood sugar, the insulin production still remains high and the baby´s blood sugar can actually bottom out. And the baby can get very sick and actually have seizures. So it is of paramount importance to control mothers´blood sugar levels while pregnant.