Gestational Diabetes - Diabetes and Pregnancy
What Is It?
Gestational Diabetes is where the pregnant womanâs body is not able to produce enough of the hormone Insulin. This means that her body is not able to break down the sugar that she consumes and convert it to energy. Therefore her blood sugar levels will be high and this will be passed on to the baby, which can cause problems.
Who Can Get It?
The pregnant women most likely to be affected will fit the following criteria;
⢠Overweight
⢠Age 35 plus
⢠Family history of diabetes
⢠Previously given birth to a large baby
⢠Previously given birth to a baby with an abnormality
⢠Suffered a stillbirth in late pregnancy
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
One of the problems of gestational diabetes is that it does not manifest itself with clear symptoms. The symptoms common to high blood sugar (thirst, frequent urination, hunger) sometimes occur, but all of them are common in the latter stages of pregnancy.
Having children is a big decision for anyone. If you are a woman who has diabetes, however, it is a decision that requires much more thought and careful planning. Many women who have diabetes (Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes) have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. But this isnât to say that itâs an easy experience â it requires a lot of work and dedication on your part.
Am I at risk of developing gestational diabetes?
If you have one or more of the following factors you are more likely to develop gestational diabetes:
* Having a family history of Type 2 diabetes in a close relative (parents or brothers and sisters)
* Having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
* If a previous baby had a birth defect
Management During Pregnancy
Maintain diabetic control at target values at all times.
The diet should be 35-40 calories per Kg ideal body weight. Basically, this is her routine diabetic diet plus 500 calories; it is a fallacy that pregnancy requires a diet for two! The diet will need to be tailored to suit the individual patient and adjustments will be required for women who cannot take their prescribed diet due to intense nausea and vomiting.
If the patient is not controlled with diet alone, she will require insulin therapy. Most women will require intensive insulin regimens.
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