What is Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)?
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is a condition when a non-diabetic woman get diabetes during her pregnancy. Though it can happen during any time of your pregnancy but is more common during your second trimester. It is not dangerous if diagnosed on time and well treated. This can eliminate any risk that can occur during or after the birth of your baby.
What are the causes of Gestational Diabetes?
There are no specific causes of this condition. Any woman can get it during her pregnancy but women with below conditions are at higher risk:
1- If you are more than 35 years of age.
2- If you have any family history of diabetes.
3- If your previous baby had a higher weight (usually more than 4.5 kgs).
4- If you are overweight.
5- If you were diagnosed to have gestational diabetes during your previous pregnancy.
6- If your family origins are from south Asia, Africa, China, or Middle Eastern.
What are the symptoms of Gestational Diabetes?
Usually it does not have any major symptoms but some of the few things that might be faced are:
1- Increased Thirst
2- Increased Urination
3- Fatigue, Nausea, Tiredness
4- Blurred Vision
How can we prevent Gestational Diabetes?
If you are aware you can be the case of Gestational Diabetes due to any earlier conditions or above factors, speak to your doctor about it. Your doctor will screen you for gestational diabetes around 25 – 28 weeks and provide you the necessary treatment if you found positive. The other things which you can take care of are:
1- Eat healthy diet.
2- Consume food high in protein.
3- Take food which releases sugar slowly.
4- Be physically active. At least 30 minutes’ walk every day and exercise if you can.
5- Have a healthy lifestyle.
What are the risks of having Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational Diabetes can be treated if diagnosed, however, if left untreated it can lead to below complications:
1- A heavy weight baby.
2- Baby’s blood glucose level can go low after birth.
3- Jaundice in baby after birth.
4- C-section
5- In severe cases, can lead to still birth.
6- Kids born under Gestational Diabetes can become overweight in future.
7- Women with Gestational Diabetes are at risk of being obese later or develop diabetes in future.
How do you treat Gestational Diabetes?
If you are diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, your healthcare provide will check if you can be treated by changes in your life style like eating healthy, exercise, walk etc. If these things can’t treat your diabetes, you can be offered medication based upon your needs. In some cases, if the sugar level is too high, you can also be offered insulin injections. Your health care provider will assist you about the right treatment option for you.
