02 Aug All You Need To Know Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy
Diabetes mellitus medical disorder that occurs when the sugar level in the blood go on a higher side than the normal range. Few of the women can develop diabetes in pregnancy for the first time and this is called gestational diabetes. If women have Gestational Diabetes in pregnancy then there might be many problems both for the mother and the foetus.
However, it is advisable to take good treatment and go for regular checks that can help you stay healthy and have a healthy baby. Gynecologist in Gurgaon at the Triveni Obstetrics & Gynaecology Clinic, regularly monitor women with diabetes in pregnancy and prescribe the best evidence based treatment available for managing gestational diabetes. Women who are suffering with diabetes during pregnancy need strict control of their blood sugar to optimize the result for their pregnancy.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a term used for diabetes, which twitches or is discovered for the first time during pregnancy. GDM starts in the second trimester of pregnancy and is resolved soon after the baby is delivered. The risks of having GDM for you and your baby are mainly concerning the growth of the baby and higher chances of having a difficult delivery/ shoulder dystopia.
It also increases the chances of preterm delivery and the newborn babies also have increased chances of respiratory distress and neonatal jaundice. For the mother there is increased chance of developing high blood pressure/ preeclampsia and vaginal and urinary infections along with increased operative and difficult delivery rates.
Risk Factors
GDM is common for females who are more than 35 years in age at the time of pregnancy, overweight women and women who have polycystic ovaries. There is also an increased risk for:
- Females who have had GDM in their preceding pregnancies.
- Females having short time interval between two pregnancies.
- Women who have had an unexplained previous stillbirth.
- Women who have had a previous baby with very high birth weight (4.5 kg or more).
- Women who have family history of diabetes.
- Women of Indian-subcontinent have higher risk of diabetes.
What Is The Treatment?
You will need to have frequent checks during your pregnancy. This will include regular appointments with your gynecologist. The treatment includes following advice about diet and physical activity. There might be a requirement of medicines to lower your blood sugar levels. It is essential to have regular checks of your diabetes control and checks of your baby.
This check is done for all the women who are pregnant. A specialist will be involved to help look after your diabetes and your unborn baby. Women with GDM can usually stop taking diabetes treatment soon after giving birth. However, there is a high risk of having GDM in future pregnancies. There is also an increased risk of developing diabetes in the future.
What Is The Diagnosis?
- The glucose tolerance test (GTT) can be used to test for GDM.
- Women who have had GDM in a previous pregnancy should be offered a two-hour 75 g GTT as soon as possible after the first antenatal appointment. This is followed by a repeat GTT at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy if the first test is normal.
- Women with other risk factors should have a GTT at 24-28 weeks.
Dr. Manavita Mahajan (Triveni Obs & Gyn clinic) recommends that women with GDM should:
- Avoid being overweight.
- Take regular exercise.
- Follow dietary instructions as advised.
- Attend the six-week postpartum check and have a blood glucose test taken.
- Have blood glucose tests checked every year thereafter
It is very important to see your doctor for advice if you have diabetes and want to have children. Making sure your diabetes is very well controlled before pregnancy is very important to help you have a healthy baby.
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