Complications

• Gestational diabetes can cause problems for both the mother and the baby if it is not well managed. Some of the possible complications are:
  • Macrosomia: The baby grows larger than usual, which can lead to difficulties during delivery and increase the need for induced labor or cesarean section. (A birth weight of 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) or higher is considered indicative of macrosomia.)
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  • Preterm birth: The baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation, which can increase the risk of respiratory distress syndrome, jaundice, low blood sugar, and other health problems.
  • Preeclampsia: The mother develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy, which can lead to serious complications such as seizures, stroke, organ damage, or death if not treated.
  • Hypoglycemia: The baby develops low blood sugar after birth due to excess insulin production, which can cause seizures, brain damage, or death if not treated. (Newborn hypoglycemia = 1 to 2 hours after birth: blood glucose less than 25 to 30 mg/dL)
  • Jaundice: The baby develops yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels in the blood, which can cause brain damage if not treated.
  • Congenital anomalies – birth defects e.g sacral agenesis
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  • Stillbirth: The baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of gestation, which can be caused by poor placental function or uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
  • Future diabetes: The mother and the baby have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.