Gestational Diabetes
High blood sugar levels, that develop for the first time during pregnancy, is known as Gestational Diabetes. Gestational Diabetes develop between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. It occurs in 4% of all pregnancies.
If you develop Gestational Diabetes while you are pregnant, it doesn’t mean that you had diabetes before your pregnancy or will have it after delivery but Gestational Diabetes raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in future. If it is not managed during pregnancy ,the risk of child of developing diabetes increases and also it raises complications in your pregnancy.
Types of Gestational Diabetes –
1) Class A1 – It can be managed through diet and exercises.
2) Class A2 – In this class insulin or other medications are need to be taken.
Symptoms –
It is rare for gestational diabetes to cause symptoms. If they appear they may include –
1) Fatigue
2) Blurred vision
3) Excessive thirst
4) Snoring
5) Excessive need to urinate
Causes –
The real cause of Gestational Diabetes is unknown , but hormones likely to play a role. In Pregnancy ,your body produces large amount of hormones like –
1) Human Placental Lactogen ( hPL)
2) Hormones that increases insulin resistance.
As time of pregnancy passes by these hormones in your body increases which make your body resistant to insulin ,the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Insulin helps to move out glucose from your blood to your cells for to use as body energy. In pregnancy ,body naturally becomes insulin resistant and level of glucose increases in your blood that causes gestational diabetes.
Risk factors –
1) Age over 25 years.
3) Family history of Diabetes.
4) Overweight when conceived.
5) Gained large amount of weight while pregnant.
6)Expecting multiple babies.
7) Given birth previously baby of weighing more than 9 pounds.
8) Previous history of Gestational Diabetes.
9) On glucocorticoid treatment.
10) Unexplained stillbirth or miscarriage history.
Diagnosis –
Gestational Diabetes usually come into picture in the second half of pregnancy. Your doctor will check for it between 24th and 28th week or Sooner if you are at high risk.
Prevention –
1) Eating a healthy diet.
2) Staying active
3) Loose extra weight before conceiving.
4) Try not to gain more weight than recommended during pregnancy.
Complications –
1) Maternal –
a) Abortion
b) Preterm labour
c) Infections like urinary tract infection ,vulvo vaginitis
d) Increased incidence of pre eclampsia (25%)
e) Polyhydraminos
f) Maternal distress
g) Diabetic Retinopathy
h) Diabetic Nephropathy
i) Ketoacidosis
2) During Labour –
a) Prolonged labour due to big size baby.
b) Perineal injuries
c) Postpartum haemorrhage
3) Foetal –
a) Foetal macrosomia.
b) Early or preterm birth.
c) Birth injuries like shoulder dystocia.
d) Serious breathing difficulties.
e) Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
f) Jaundice
g) Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
h) Stillbirth.
Treatment –
1) Eat Healthy –
A balanced diet is key to properly managing gestational diabetes. Eating regularly – as often as every two hours – can also help you to control your blood sugar levels. Pregnant woman should pay attention towards her carbohydrates ,protein and fat intake.
Carbohydrates – whole grains , brown rice ,beans ,peas , lentils and other legumes ,starchy vegetables ,low sugar fruits etc.
Protein – lean meat , poultry ,fish ,tofu etc.
Fat – Unsalted nuts ,seeds , olive oil and avocado.
2) Exercise Regularly –
It is another way to keep blood sugar control. Get atleast 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity atleast five days a week. Exercise like brisk walking , swimming , pranayam except kapalbhati .
3) Monitor blood sugar often –
As Pregnancy moves on the body’s need for energy get to change .Blood sugar levels can change very quickly so get to check it often.
4) Take insulin if needed –
If insulin is advised by your doctor , take it as directed to control sugar levels .
5) Get tested after delivery for diabetes –
Get tested for diabetes 6-12 weeks after your baby is born and then every 1-3 years .For most women with Gestational Diabetes the diabetes goes away soon after delivery.
Don’t bother for gestational diabetes too much just need to take care and enjoy your pregnancy period with grown up feel of your baby.
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