Gestational diabetes (GDM) is regarded as one of the many conditions that affect pregnant women. Gestational diabetes symptoms frequently brushed aside because they are mistaken for normal discomforts of pregnancy. Increased frequency of urination, increased thirst and increased hunger are some of the most prevalent gestational diabetes symptoms.
Polyuria refers to frequent urination which is also a normal symptom of pregnancy. Normally, a pregnant woman experiences an increased need to urinate because of the growing fetus pressing on the bladder. In women with gestational diabetes though, the reason behind this is totally different. If there is too much glucose in the blood, the kidneys become saturated with sugar. This leads to an increase in the osmotic pressure within the kidneys which means that water is not reabsorbed in the body, thus an increase in the volume of urine. This rise in volume consequently leads to a frequent desire to head to the bathroom.
Polyphagia or increased hunger is another gestational diabetes symptom. Then again, the increased urge to eat is an expected symptom of pregnancy. These are caused by hormonal changes in a pregnant woman’s body. But then again, a person who has GDM experiences increased urge to eat for an entirely different reason. Inadequate amounts of insulin and insulin resistance both lead to a faster speed of energy spending. Since energy is utilized faster than usual, the person experiences an increased desire for food.
Polydipsia or the increased desire to drink is yet another gestational diabetes symptom. But then again, being thirsty all the time can be a normal symptom of pregnancy. A pregnant woman needs to drink plenty of fluids because of the extra 2 liters of blood that circulates in her body and the presence of amniotic fluid which replaces itself every 30 minutes. In pregnant women with GDM, however, the desire to drink constantly is caused by another mechanism. Because of the increased blood sugar, body fluids are poorly reabsorbed in the body, resulting in frequent urination. When the body eliminates fluid every so often, a message is sent to the brain to drink more in order to make up for the loss, thus the sensation of thirst.
Pregnancy is a period when a woman’s body goes through major changes. While most of these discomforts are normal, a few are already warning signs of a health problem. Having said that, it is important to remember consult the doctor once these symptoms are recognized. Learning the factors that causes such discomforts may prevent you and your baby from having health disorders that may have a great impact on the both of you later in life.
