Pregnancy diabetes:
A type of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy in women without diabetes. It is a High blood sugar (glucose) level, which develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery. It can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the pregnancy second or third trimesters. Gestational diabetes can cause problems for the mother and baby during pregnancy and after delivery, but the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and managed well.
Causes:
Gestational diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin (a hormone secreted by the pancreas that acts as a key to allowing blood sugar into the body's cells to be used as energy). During pregnancy, the body produces more hormones and goes through other changes (such as weight gain). These changes cause the body's cells to use insulin less effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. All pregnant women develop some insulin resistance during late pregnancy. Some women have insulin resistance even before pregnancy. When they start pregnancy, their need for insulin increases, and they are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
Risk factors:
- Increase in weight.
- Previous birth of a baby weighing 4.5 kg or more at birth.
- Having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
- Family history of type 2 diabetes.
- Those who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome.
Symptoms:
Gestational diabetes usually has no symptoms. Most cases are only detected when blood sugar levels are tested during a gestational diabetes screening test. Some women may develop symptoms if their blood sugar levels are too high (hyperglycemia), such as:
- Increased thirst.
- Needing to urinate more than usual.
- Dry mouth.
- Tired.
Some of these symptoms are common during pregnancy and are not necessarily a sign of gestational diabetes.
Checking blood sugar for pregnant women:
A blood sugar test is done in the 24-28 week of pregnancy for early diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
Effect of gestational diabetes on pregnancy:
Most women with gestational diabetes have normal pregnancies with healthy babies. However, gestational diabetes can cause problems such as:
- an increase in the size of the child; This may lead to difficulties during childbirth.
- Too much amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the fetus) in the uterus, which can cause premature labor or problems at birth.
- Premature birth.
- Eclampsia.
- An increased risk for the mother of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
- Stillbirth (rare).
Treatment:
It is by lowering blood sugar levels by changing the diet and exercising, however, if these changes do not lower blood sugar levels sufficiently; You will also need to take medication, this may be tablets or insulin injections.
Protection:
Before you conceive, you may be able to prevent gestational diabetes by losing weight, if you're overweight, and by getting regular physical activity.