Insulin Resistance and Pregnancy

Insulin Resistance (IR) is defined as "the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle and other tissues." (www.medterms.com) When the muscle won't accept the insulin, the pancreas overcompensates by producing more insulin. Insulin is a hormone and its main job is to aid in the metabolism of carbohydrates. When carbs are not broken down, they turn onto sugar and end up becoming stored in the body. This makes it increasingly difficult to lose weight. Insulin resistance can also lead to Type 2 Diabetes.

Pregnancy can be very difficult for women who are insulin resistant. Insulin Resistance makes it much easier for a pregnant woman to develop gestational diabetes. Gestational Diabetes is tested around twenty-four weeks of pregnancy. It is important to make sure your doctor is aware if you have IR so that additional tests for gestational diabetes may be ordered before and after the standard test is given. My personal experience was a test at twenty weeks and every four weeks after until thirty-two weeks.