Gestational diabetes is one of the most prevalent health concerns for expectant mothers. There are about 200,000 cases annually because it affects about 5% of all pregnancies. Gestational diabetes can harm both the mother and the unborn child if not treated.
Gestational diabetes generally develops in the middle of pregnancy. It is most frequently detected between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy by doctors. Some women experience gestational diabetes in more than one pregnancy.
Consult with Diabetes Experts Now
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Although it cannot always be avoided, pregnant women can take precautions to lessen their risk. Typically, gestational diabetes does not cause any overt symptoms in women. It’s possible for some people to have minor pregnancy-related symptoms or disorders, such as increased urgency and frequency of urination, excessive thirst, urinary tract infections, snoring and a rise in weight.
Who Is at the Risk of Gestational Diabetes?
The following factors could increase your risk of getting gestational diabetes:
- High blood pressure
- Having gestational diabetes in the past
- Having a history of diabetes in your family
- Being overweight before getting pregnant
- Being inactive
- Expecting multiple babies
- Taking steroids such as glucocorticoids
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome
Obstetric Gestational Diabetes Issues
The baby has high blood sugar because of poorly managed diabetes. The infant “overeats” and grows to an enormous size. A large baby can make labour difficult for both the mother and the baby, in addition to making the mother uncomfortable during the last few months of pregnancy. Sometimes, the woman might require a C-Section to deliver the baby.
Diabetes increases a woman’s risk of high blood pressure compared to women without diabetes. High blood pressure may have adverse effects on the mother as well as the unborn child, and it might cause the baby to be born prematurely. The mother might have seizures or have a stroke (a blood clot or bleed in the brain that can cause brain damage) while she is giving birth.
Read More – Diabetes And Women | Prevention And Care
Tips for Pregnant Women With Diabetes
If you are a pregnant woman with diabetes, you must follow these steps to keep your blood glucose levels within the target range-
- Follow a diabetes-specific diet plan and eat nutritious foods. You can develop a healthy food plan with the help of a dietitian.
- Another approach to controlling blood sugar is through exercise and a balanced diet. Participate in moderate-intensity physical activity for 30-45 minutes at least five days per week. You should continue to exercise regularly during and after pregnancy, but only after consulting your doctor.
- Blood sugar levels might fluctuate significantly during pregnancy because the body’s need for energy changes. As instructed by your doctor, often check your blood sugar levels.
- Throughout pregnancy, a woman should visit a gynecologists’ frequently for routine checkups. The doctor will inquire about the pregnancy and any new symptoms throughout these appointments.
- Also, they will perform a pelvic examination and use an ultrasound to view the growing foetus. Some of the early symptoms of gestational diabetes may be identified by a physician, who can also recommend methods for helping prevent it.
- A team-based treatment approach that assigns each team member a particular function in managing and treating the condition is most effective for women with gestational diabetes.
- After your baby is born, every one to three years, get tested for diabetes. The majority of women with gestational diabetes experience a quick recovery after giving birth. Type 2 diabetes is a form of diabetes that does not go away.
Even if diabetes does go away after the baby is born, type 2 diabetes subsequently develops in half of all women who had gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. To avoid or postpone developing type 2 diabetes, it’s important for women who have had gestational diabetes to keep up their exercise routine and adhere to a balanced diet after delivery.
