Gestational diabetes affects an estimated 4-14% of pregnant women globally. Not many women know about gestational diabetes, and how it may occur. Here is a little-detailed insight about it.
The root of gestational diabetes is not 100% known by medical practitioners but the two main causes that are confirmed are
1) Heredity
Most mothers who have had or are currently battling it could be having a family history of diabetes.
2) Being over weight
When one is obese and they are pregnant, it predisposes them to gestational diabetes. Maintaining your weight gain to the recommended kilograms depending on your trimester reduces your chances of you getting gestational diabetes.
2) Get Checked
An early diagnosis could save a mum and her unborn baby. During prenatal clinics, most doctors will perform a test called the oral glucose tolerances test. The test seeks to find out the amount of glucose in your blood two hours after you have taken glucose. High blood glucose levels is indicative of gestational diabetes.
3) Exercise
Mothers and pregnant women are encouraged to exercise the body to make use of the sugars and proteins that they consume. This levels the sugar to a normal level of 4-7.
How to treat it
It depends on the severity of the condition when diagnosed. A MILD condition can easily be controlled by a healthy diet. Most doctors will refer you to a nutritionist to help maintain a balanced diet for both the mother and the baby. A SEVERE condition, is treated by taking extreme measures of insulin. The Insulin regulates the blood sugar from getting too high which is also known as hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia when it its too low.
What is the risk of gestational diabetes?
1) It may cause the body organs to shut down
2) It may lead to an abnormally large size of the baby, in the belly.
3) It may lead to a baby being born with diabetes.
To find out whether you could be at risk, talk to one of our nurse midwives today.
