Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that women can develop during pregnancy. It is a global health concern and affects 5% to 7% of pregnancies in high-income countries. In India, this condition affects 5 million people annually.
We reached out to Dr Amodita Ahuja, gynecologist to know more about this condition. She says, “During pregnancy, women go through a lot of physical, biological and hormonal changes. Certain hormonal changes can cause insulin resistance. Insulin resistance hinders the process of sugar metabolism and due to this people who are at risk of developing diabetes can have it.”
Risk factors may include-
- Obesity
- Family history of diabetes,
- Age above 30 years
- Twin pregnancy
- Women with diabetes history in an earlier pregnancy.
Dr Ahuja says gestational diabetes symptoms can be as follow:
Excessive weight gain above pregnancy weight
Immoderate hunger
Frequent urge to urinate
A baby’s growth size can be bigger than normal.
More craving
Dr Ahuja added, “Gestational diabetes can also pass on to the fetus during pregnancy. If the mother is already diabetic and the condition is not controlled in the first trimester, the baby has a chance of developing congenital anomalies leading to structural or functional deformation.”
Gestational Diabetes can cause added complications as there is an increase in the baby's growth. The baby also becomes at risk to develop Type 2 diabetes later on. This condition increases the chances of delivery by C-section.
Preventions:
- The mother should seek professional health if any symptoms are visible in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.
- Proper diet with nutritionist guide
- Regular exercise
- Regular treatment and doctor visits
- Mothers who are at risk of developing diabetes must take anti-diabetic drugs from the first trimester itself.
- Keep checking your blood sugar level regularly
- Monitor baby's growth by regular ultrasounds