Gestational diabetes is a temporary diabetes type and one of the most common health problems in pregnant women. Diabetic during pregnancy is not your fault it is caused by the way hormones in pregnancy affect you & glucose intolerance is an early stage of the condition. It occurs in 5 to 7 percent of all pregnancies.
What is Gestational diabetes?
During pregnancy, the placenta (an organ) develops in the uterus. The placenta connects the mother and the baby and makes sure the baby gets enough supply of food and water. The placenta is responsible for producing several hormones. Some of these hormones make it hard for insulin to control blood sugar (blood glucose). Insulin opens your cell so that the glucose can get in. During the pregnancy, the body has to make about three times its normal amount of insulin. Diabetics develop when the pancreas (the organ that makes insulin) cannot make enough insulin for pregnancy. Without insulin the blood sugar cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy, causing extra sugar to build up in the blood.
Most women with gestational diabetes will have a healthy baby. If you keep your blood sugar in a safe range the chances of you or your baby having the problems are the same as if you did not have gestational diabetes. But if left untreated diabetes during pregnancy can cause health problems for you and your baby. So if you are looking for advanced diabetes treatment in India, then you should get treatment from the best endocrinologist in Bangalore to keep your blood sugar in a safe range.
Who is at risk for gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes can strike any woman who is pregnant. Some of the factors that may increase the chances of GD include:
• Inactivity.
• Obesity.
• Coronary artery disease.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Gestational diabetes runs in family
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Previous delivery of a baby weighing at least nine pounds
Diabetes management:
Diabetes management can help you and your baby have a healthy pregnancy. To treat your diabetes, consult your doctor, stay physically active, monitor your blood sugar levels, follow a healthy eating plan charted by your nutritionist, and take insulin if prescribed. Controlling blood sugar lowers the chances of a woman developing diabetes-related complications or such problems would worsen during pregnancy.
Preventive measures that you can take before and during pregnancy :
See your doctor as soon as possible.
A pregnant lady with diabetes needs to see the doctor more frequently than a pregnant woman without diabetes during her pregnancy. You and your doctor can work together to avoid or detect issues early.
Plan for pregnancy:
Consult your doctor before becoming pregnant. The doctor will assess the impact of diabetes on your body, discuss with you about controlling and maintaining blood sugar, prescribe a new medication, and schedule frequent follow-up appointments. If you are overweight, your doctor may advise you to reduce weight before becoming pregnant as part of a plan to control your blood sugar.
Consume nutritious food:
Consume nutritious foods from a diabetes-specific diet plan. A nutritionist can assist you in developing a healthy eating plan. A dietician can also assist you in learning to manage diabetes while pregnant.
Exercise regularly:
One of the best ways to keep blood sugar under control is to exercise. It helps to keep you fit and in the regulation of food intake. You can talk to your doctor about exercising regularly before, during, and after pregnancy. Make sure to exercise at least 30 minutes every day or involve in moderate-intensity physical activity to stay healthy. This could be anything as simple as going for a brisk walk, actively playing with children, or swimming.
Quickly control and treat low blood sugar:
When blood sugar is adequately regulated, there are possibilities for low blood sugar. If you're on insulin or diabetes medication, it is a good idea to keep a supply of fast sugar on hand at all times, such as glucose tablets or hard candies. It is also a good idea to teach family members, friends, and co-workers, how to assist during severe low blood sugar reactions.
Keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels:
Blood sugar levels can fluctuate dramatically as the body's energy requirements change during pregnancy. It is advisable to check your blood sugar levels frequently. And It's critical to understand how to change your food intake, insulin, and, exercise depending on the results of your test reports.
How to handle diabetes?
If you are at the average risk of getting diabetes during pregnancy, you should take the screening tests done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
If you are at a higher risk for diabetes, such as obesity, overweight before pregnancy, have parents with diabetes, a sibling, or child, or had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, your health care provider may test for diabetes early in the first prenatal visit.
FAQs for Diabetes in Pregnancy :
Q. Will I have diabetes after I am pregnant?
A. No. Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy.
Q. How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?
A. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) is used to diagnose gestational diabetes
Q. Can I reduce the risk of getting gestational diabetes?
A. Following a healthy diet plan and lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
Q. Do you get diabetes for life if you have gestational diabetes ?
A. In most women, after the baby is born, the diabetes disappears . However, 1 in 5 women continues to have high blood sugar levels after delivery.
Q. Will my baby be born with diabetes?
A. No. Gestational diabetes does not pass on to your baby but may have excessive birth weight.
The source of information for the FAQs are mentioned below:
https://www.ndss.com.au/about-diabetes/gestational-diabetes/gestational-diabetes-faqs/
https://www.brighamandwomens.org/obgyn/maternal-fetal-medicine/pregnancy-and-medical-conditions/frequently-asked-questions-about-gestational-diabetes
