The journey of achieving motherhood is filled with joy, fear, and questions. If you are trying to conceive, then one of the major concerns that you should be aware of is gestational diabetes in pregnancy. According to WHO and IDF data, approximately 1 out of every 6 live births is affected by gestational diabetes. Thus, it is evident that awareness regarding gestational diabetes needs to be prioritised, especially if you are trying to conceive. This is because a better understanding can help in early screening, diagnosis, and treatment. In this blog, you will learn about the symptoms, risks, and effective management of gestational diabetes. Let’s start by knowing what gestational diabetes is.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a condition where a woman experiences high sugar levels for the first time during pregnancy. This condition develops when the body is unable to use insulin effectively due to the release of placental hormones. Typically, gestational diabetes develops between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. It is important to note that gestational diabetes can develop even if you follow a healthy lifestyle because hormonal changes during pregnancy are the root cause.
However, the following factors increase the chances of developing gestational diabetes:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
- Having experienced gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies.
- Family history of diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes.
- Age above 30.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
The Common Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Here are some of the most common symptoms of Gestational Diabetes that you should be aware of:
- Frequent urination: If you are peeing more often than usual, then it can be an indicator that your body is trying to eliminate excess sugar. When a person has high blood sugar levels, the kidneys work harder to filter the excess glucose from the body. This condition is also called polyuria.
- Increased thirst: High blood sugar tends to pull fluid from tissues because excess glucose in the bloodstream creates a higher concentration gradient. Due to excessive urination, the sugar takes out water along with it, which in turn causes dehydration and increased thirst. This process is also called osmotic diuresis.
- Dry mouth: Increased thirst, dehydration, and frequent urination lead to dry mouth, which is also called xerostomia. Even though dry mouth is common during pregnancy, it is advisable to consult a fetal medicine specialist so that underlying conditions can be ruled out.
- Increased hunger: If you are feeling hungrier than usual during pregnancy, then it can be due to insulin resistance that makes it difficult for the cells to utilise the glucose effectively for energy. Thus, if you are experiencing extreme hunger during pregnancy, it is advisable to get a blood sugar check done.
- Blurred vision: This is another common symptom where high sugar levels during pregnancy cause fluid to shift into the eye’s lens or cornea. Thus, blurry vision is experienced due to fluid accumulation in the eye.
- Recurrent infections: If you are experiencing frequent bladder, skin, or vaginal infections during pregnancy, then it might be due to a weakened immune system caused by gestational diabetes. According to clinical research and studies, high blood sugar levels can impair leukocyte functions, which in turn reduce the body’s ability to fight infections.
- Unusual fatigue: Although fatigue is common during pregnancy, it is important to monitor its severity. If you are feeling unusually fatigued even after getting good sleep, then it can be due to gestational diabetes.
The Risks of Gestational Diabetes
These are the most common risks that you are exposed to if you experience gestational diabetes during pregnancy:
- Large baby (Microsomia): You might deliver an excessively large baby due to high blood sugar levels that cause the baby to produce extra insulin and store more fat. Thus, you can experience a difficult delivery due to the baby being excessively large.
- Requirement for C-section: Cesarean section (C-section) is required when the baby is excessively large because the chances of complications increase with normal delivery. This is crucial to prevent trauma such as oxygen deprivation.
- Birth injuries: One of the most common risks involved with delivering a large baby due to gestational diabetes is shoulder dystocia, where the shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal. Thus, the chances of nerve damage increase during such delivery.
- Pre-eclampsia: This is a serious form of blood pressure disorder that can cause risk to both the mother and the child.
- Hypoglycemia in the newborn: The newborn may experience lower blood sugar levels because their insulin production remains high after the glucose supply from the mother stops post-delivery.
- Long-term health conditions: Gestational diabetes increases the chances of the mother developing type 2 diabetes in the later stages of her life. In addition, the baby can also develop diabetes or become obese after growing.
- Premature birth: Due to the excessively large size of the baby or other associated health concerns, preterm delivery might be required.
- Respiratory illnesses: The baby might be born with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) because high fetal insulin levels can hamper the production of the lung surfactant.
Effective Management of Gestational Diabetes
Below are the gestational diabetes diet tips that you can follow to effectively manage gestational diabetes:
- Regular blood sugar monitoring: This is based on using a glucometer at home regularly during pregnancy, so that elevated blood sugar levels can be identified and appropriate measures can be taken in case of elevated blood sugar levels.
- Limit intake of carbohydrates: It is a well-known fact that carbohydrates is major contributor towards high blood sugar levels. Thus, the key is to intake a small quantity of carbohydrates at regular intervals so that the blood sugar level can be kept stable.
- Follow a healthy diet plan: You can consult a dietician for this, so that a proper diet plan can be created. A healthy diet typically consists of a balanced quantity of carbohydrates, lean proteins, and fat. In addition, you can include low glycemic index foods, such as legumes and grains, along with whole fibre.
- Fetal surveillance and monitoring: By consulting a renowned fetal medicine specialist, you can gain assistance in terms of regular ultrasound scans for the baby, which are crucial to monitor the baby’s growth and amniotic fluid levels.
- Perform regular physical activity: You need to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity, like walking for 30 minutes every day, so that your blood sugar levels remain stabilised and insulin sensitivity improves.
- Prioritise insulin therapy if necessary: If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, then the first step of action that is suggested is a healthy diet and exercise. However, if diet and exercise fail to stabilise blood sugar levels for 1-2 weeks, then insulin injections might be required.
Final Thoughts
Gestational diabetes is a cause of major health concern because of the risk it poses to both the mother and the baby. In addition, the prevalence of gestational diabetes has become a common phenomenon in the contemporary world, which makes it important to learn its symptoms, risks, and effective management. If you are a resident of Siliguri or North Bengal, you can consult the best fetal medicine specialists, such as Dr Sweta Bothra, for accurate diagnosis, personalised care, and tips related to gestational diabetes. Do not delay in seeking assistance regarding gestational diabetes if you are planning to conceive. Consult the best fetal medicine specialist near you now.
