Everyone loves to have sweets and chocolates. And if you are looking forward to bring a new life to this world then you could generate the craving for sweets and chocolates. But that could excess of sweet could make you prone to a special type of diabetes i.e., Gestational Diabetes. Learn more about gestational diabetes.
Everyone loves to have sweets and chocolates. And if you are looking forward to bring a new life to this world then you could generate the craving for sweets and chocolates. But as you know excess of anything is hazardous and can bring some concerns for both lives. One of which is diabetes in pregnancy or medically known as Gestational Diabetes (GDM).
But what exactly is diabetes in pregnancy? Is it a life-threatening concern? Is it curable? Can it negatively affect your baby?
If these questions have been raising in your mind then this article will help you out.
What is Diabetes in Pregnancy?
Diabetes is one of the most common problems which occurs during pregnancy. It has been estimated that 13% of all women suffer from diabetes during pregnancy. Considering both the long-term and short-term consequences. This problem is serious, which can include complications with labour and delivery. But the good part is that it reverts to normal after the delivery of the baby.
A woman develops gestational diabetes during pregnancy. This can happen at any stage of pregnancy. But it has been mainly observed in the period of 24 to 28 weeks. Which is, between the second and third trimester (period of three months) of pregnancy.
There are two classes of diabetes during pregnancy: Class A1 and Class A2.
Women with Class A1 type can manage it through some change in diet and by proper exercise. While in the case of Class A2 type. They will need insulin or oral medications along with diet alterations and exercise to manage diabetes.
What Causes Diabetes in Pregnancy?
When you eat the food. Your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. It plays a major role in regulating the glucose in your body. It does that by signalling the liver, muscle, and fat cells to take glucose from the blood vessels. This glucose based on the cell type is then either used for energy generation or stored for future use.
During pregnancy, the placenta produces a hormone called human placental lactogen (HPL). It increases the glucose level in the blood by reducing the effectiveness of signals sent by insulin to body cells. This ensures that the baby receives the proper supply of nutrients needed for proper growth.
Usually, the pancreas sends a sufficient amount of insulin to maintain the blood glucose level. But if the body is not able to produce the extra needed insulin to keep the values of blood glucose in the normal range. (which is <126mg/dl (In fasting state), <200mg/dl (after meal)). Then you will be diagnosed with diabetes in pregnancy or GDM [8]
Are you prone to develop GDM?
You are more likely to get diabetes during pregnancy if:
You are pre-diabetic i.e. your blood sugar is high but not high enough to be called diabetic.
You are older than 25.
You were overweight before you got pregnant.
You have a Family history of Diabetes.
You have delivered a previous baby weighing over 4kg.
Sign and Symptoms
If you are suffering from GDM. Predominantly it shows no sign of but women may experience symptoms such as:
Increased or frequent urination
Increased thirst
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Weight loss
And Blurred vision.
Diagnosis
For the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. One of the most common methods includes the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). You will be advised by your doctor to go for a glucose tolerance test at the 24-28 weeks of your pregnancy.
In this test they will advise you, not to consume food for the last 8-10 hours. After this interval of fasting. The next step will include the fasting blood glucose test. Once this test is done. They will give you 75gm of sugar solution. finally, the blood glucose test is done again in one hour and two hours respectively.
If the blood glucose values exceed the normal range (<126mg/dl (fasting), <200mg/dl (after meal)). Then you’ll be diagnosed with GDM or diabetes in pregnancy. [8]
GDM Effect on the Baby
Your baby will be healthy if you and your doctor managed your blood glucose level while you had GDM.
But if your blood glucose level exceeds the normal range then, mostly it will affect your baby. This is because the baby will have a high glucose concentration in the blood which significantly will make the baby produce more insulin. This can result in complications including:
Baby having more weight and larger amount of body fat than normal
It can also lead to jaundice i.e. skin looks yellowish and it generally fades away as the treatment is initiated.
Low Blood sugar level at birth
High risk of developing obesity and diabetes in later life.
How will it affect the mother?
If you are a mother and you are not taking proper medication and treatment as advised for GDM, then it can cause negative effects on your health. This can result:
From premature labour to excessive post-delivery bleeding
A Significant and persistent rise in blood pressure
An increase in the chances of GDM in pregnancies and can later develop type 2 diabetes.
Prevention
Losing weight before you become pregnant is the best way to decrease the risk of developing Gestational Disbetes. Losing even a small amount of weight (5–7% of your current weight, or about 10–20 pounds) can improve your overall health and pave the way for a healthier pregnancy.
Avoid excessiove weight gain duing pregnancy by managing your diet and keeping an active lifetsyle. Usual weight gain during preganacy is 11.5 - 16 kgs. Most will gain 1 to 2 kgs during the first trimester, and then 0.5 kg a week for the rest of the pregnancy.
Treatment
If you are diagnosed with GDM then don’t get flustered. It’s not a life-threatening disease and is curable.
On getting diagnosed with GDM. You’ll need treatment immediately to keep you and your baby safe and healthy, during pregnancy and delivery.
Your doctor will advise you to go for a regular examination of your blood sugar level. He’ll prescribe either anti-diabetic drugs or insulin depending on the situation to keep your blood glucose level in the normal range. He’ll also suggest you eat a healthy diet that won't spike your sugar. These diets suggestions will generally involve:
Fibrous food. As they will help in reducing blood glucose spikes.
A protein-rich diet in pregnancy as high protein is required for the growth of your baby. Few protein-rich diets are eggs, fish, chicken, pulses (dal), nuts, etc.
3 small meals with two or three snacks every day like carrot fruits and resins in a day. This is to ensure that the control of fluctuation due to fasting.
Variety of foods to get enough minerals and vitamins.
Decreasing your fat intake to somewhere around 20%-35% based on the recommendation of the Institute of Medicine (IOM)[7]
Do regular exercise up to the tolerated level as long as the doctor says it’s ok, to keep your body fit and healthy. It will also help you to maintain your blood glucose level. At least give 30 minutes a day to the workout.
Conclusions
Yes, you can lower the risk of having diabetes during pregnancy.
Before getting pregnant you can change your life from a less active woman to an active woman by including activities such as:
Get up early in the morning.
Do proper exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
Keep your weight in check.
Eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water.
References
Catalano PM, Hauguel-De Mouzon S. Is it time to revisit the Pedersen hypothesis in the face of the obesity epidemic? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011; 204: 479-487 [PMID: 21288502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.11.039]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7599681/#sec5-nutrients-12-0305
Content Credits
Devesh Joshi
Author
Harshita Karodiwal
Editor
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