Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keith Reisler, MD, treats patients at his private OBGYN practice in Plano, Texas. Dr. Keith Reisler offers comprehensive care, including treatment for complications such as gestational diabetes, for pregnant women.
Characterized by high blood sugars during pregnancy, gestational diabetes typically develops late in pregnancy. The condition does not cause birth defects, but it can cause complications with the baby. Excess glucose in the mother's bloodstream can cross the placenta and make the baby gain weight. As a result, the large baby may sustain injuries during a vaginal birth or need to be delivered by c-section. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may also have breathing problems or low blood sugar shortly after birth and are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes when they are older.
Women with gestational diabetes usually do not present symptoms, and the condition is often picked up during a routine glucose challenge test that is performed between 24 and 28 weeks gestation. If the patient is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, she will need to follow a regimen that includes daily blood glucose testing, exercise, and a special diet to keep her blood glucose levels stable. Gestational diabetes usually abates after the baby is born, but the patient is at a higher risk of developing the condition in future pregnancies or developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
