Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Aditi Gangal
Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar that can affect a woman’s pregnancy and her baby’s health. This article summarizes if a gestational diabetes baby is big and do gestational diabetes babies always stay obese.
Can a gestational diabetes baby be big in size?
It is possible. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes can be larger than average at birth. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may have a higher birth weight than average, but this is not always the case. If a woman with gestational diabetes has well-controlled blood sugar levels during pregnancy, her baby may have a birth weight that is within the normal range. However, if the woman’s blood sugar levels are not well controlled, the baby may have a higher birth weight, potentially leading to macrosomia, which is defined as a birth weight greater than 4,000 grams. Likewise, if a woman with type 1 diabetes has high blood sugar, it can cause her baby to be larger at birth.
Besides this, babies with macrosomia are at higher risk for certain birth injuries, such as shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal during delivery. They are also at increased risk of health problems later in life, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Therefore, it is crucial for women with gestational diabetes to closely monitor their blood sugar levels and receive regular prenatal care to minimize the risk of macrosomia and other potential complications.
Do gestational diabetes babies always stay obese?
Not always. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are not necessarily destined to be obese. However, research states that babies exposed to gestational diabetes in the womb are at high risk of developing health problems such as obesity and abnormal blood sugars, even as children. These alterations seem to be related to insulin and relative body weight at birth. Gestational diabetes babies also have an increased risk of becoming overweight or developing type 2 diabetes later in life, particularly if they are exposed to other risk factors such as a high-calorie diet, a sedentary lifestyle, or a family history of obesity or diabetes. It’s important for parents to encourage healthy eating habits and physical activity for their children to help reduce their risk of developing these conditions.
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