For women who do not currently have diabetes, gestational diabetes is a form of the disease that can develop during pregnancy. Insulin resistance varies among pregnant women in the latter stages of their pregnancy. Nonetheless, some females are insulin-resistant before conception. An elevated risk of GDM is part of advanced age, a higher weight BMI prior to pregnancy, and a history of diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives. Usually, the onset of gestational diabetes occurs around week 24 of pregnancy.
Who is at higher risk of gestational diabetes?
Among Indian women, BMI, thyroid conditions, and heart disease are significant risk factors for GDM. While some studies have suggested that GDM risk increases linearly with maternal age. A woman who has polycystic ovarian syndrome, is heavier or more weight, does not exercise, has prediabetes, has already experienced gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, has an immediate family member with diabetes, or has previously delivered a baby weighing more than 4 kilograms is more likely to get gestational diabetes. They have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and an increased insulin requirement at the beginning of pregnancy.
What complications does gestational diabetes pose to mothers?
Gestational diabetes poses several risks to both the mother and the baby. Some of the potential maternal risks are as follows:
Complications during pregnancy can increase the risk of high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and pre-term and excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios), which may lead to complications during pregnancy and delivery through a caesarean section. A Caesarean, or C-section, is a surgery to deliver a baby through the abdomen and uterus. It’s performed when a vaginal delivery is not safe or possible. It’s notable that women with GDM after pregnancy and delivery face a ten-fold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
How does GDM affect foetal health?
Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at risk of being larger than average (macrosomia), which can increase the likelihood of complications during delivery, such as shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during birth), fractures, or nerve damage during delivery.
Another case is babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may have low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) shortly after birth, as their bodies continue to produce high levels of insulin in response to the mother’s high blood sugar levels.
Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may have immature lungs, leading to respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that makes it difficult for the baby to breathe.
Many investigations conclude increased rates of neonatal and foetal deaths in mothers with a high incidence of GDM.
It’s important for pregnant women to attend regular prenatal check-ups and screenings to monitor and manage gestational diabetes and reduce these risks. Following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and monitoring blood sugar levels are key components of managing gestational diabetes. In some cases, medication or insulin therapy may be necessary to keep blood sugar levels under control.
How can mothers reduce the risk of gestational diabetes?
A woman can prevent gestational diabetes even before she gets pregnant by losing weight if she is heavier weight and getting regular physical activity such as brisk walking. After pregnancy, make sure to check with the gynaecologist about the kind of treatment and physical activities to go for. Certain steps are absolutely necessary, like monitoring blood sugar to make sure the levels stay in a healthy range, eating healthy food in the right amounts at the right times, and regular monitoring of the baby for its growth and development.
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