Managing Diabetes During Pregnancy Gestational Diabetes

Managing Diabetes During Pregnancy: Gestational Diabetes

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Pregnant women who have a distinct kind of diabetes are more susceptible to glucose. The immune system imbalance in a pregnant woman prevents her body from producing enough insulin to meet both her demands and those of the developing fetus inside of her. A condition known as gestational diabetes manifests in the latter trimester of pregnancy and goes away after delivery.

In weeks 24 to 26 of pregnancy, the expectant mother may experience elevated blood glucose levels. But later on, the mother and newly born kid can experience problems. Such issues may pose a lifetime threat to the mother's and child's immune systems.

Between the 20th and 24th week of pregnancy, human placental lactogen aids in the process of preparing the expectant for breastfeeding. But sometimes abnormal conditions of such hormones trigger glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.

Other hormones causing diabetic conditions during the advanced stage of pregnancy are growth, cortisol, progesterone and prolactin.

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

Care must be given to expectant mothers who have symptoms such:

  • Increasingly drier mouth 
  • Frequent urination  
  • Itching of the reproductive area. 
  • Uncertain visibility due to vision issues. 
  • Uncomfortable sensation 

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

One clinical healthcare practitioner may diagnose gestational diabetes problems differently than another. These are the suggested diagnostic steps:

  • It would require giving the glucose solution to the patient and then measuring the blood glucose levels. It is the initial and most important step in the diabetic test.
  • The patient will receive more glucose to assess the body's glucose condition further.

In addition, it must be mentioned that diagnostic procedures and costs may vary depending on the various climatic and financial conditions of the country and specific techniques.

Allowing the expectant mother to undergo such medical testing will increase the range of gestational diabetes treatment options.

The expecting mother will be guided on the diet, exercise, medication and insulin as per her health conditions and stage of pregnancy and conditions of the fetus.

What are the risk factors for gestational diabetes?

Nearly 10% of females are affected by this problem in the US and cases of such diabetic conditions are becoming prevalent in India also.

Mother would learn to control the symptoms of high glucose intolerance and less insulin in the body with a nutritional diet and suitable exercise.

The development of effective treatments will be aided by the early diagnosis of diabetes problems in the expectant mother.

Factors contributing to the increasing prevalence of gestational diabetic conditions in Indian women are

  1. Genetic ground: In India, women are more susceptible to abnormal rises in blood sugar inherited from their parents and blood relatives.
  2. Ethnic background and way of living: As per the survey done all across the world, women living in India and different South Asian countries suffer from potential risks of diabetic conditions. Women staying in urban areas and working odd hours in the corporate world are likely to experience diabetic conditions in the worst way. Increasing intake of alcohol, smoking and dependency on fast food during the pregnancy do worse to the health of any pregnant woman. 
  3. Delayed maternity: Often, pregnancy-related complications have been found in women above 30 and 35 years of age. Women in their 30s would experience hormonal changes including increasing glucose intolerance and obesity.

How is gestational diabetes treated?

The goal of treatment is to control gestational diabetes by

  1. Optimum medication and diet: Healthy eating, exercise, and regular blood sugar checks before and after meals. Injections of insulin may also be part of it.
  2. Ayurvedic medication: Dr. Madhu Amrit is used in the treatment of diabetes type 1 and type 2. It is also helpful in the management of gestational diabetes because of:
  1. Unique Ayurvedic combination that involves gurmar, vijaysar, jamun, amla, haldi and tulsi.       
  2. Reducing obesity.
  3. Increasing glucose tolerance and boosting the rise in insulin sensitivity.
  4. Improve eyesight and control urination.
  5. Not causing any side effects.

Ayush 82 tablets are going to reveal similar recovery results in the process of gestational diabetes treatment.

The dosage will be suggested by the doctor based on how severe the patient's blood sugar levels are.

Another ayurvedic medication, Ayush for Women, can help any woman get through pregnancy-related issues like pcos and have a pain-free delivery of a healthy baby. 

What are the complications of gestational diabetes?

Both mother and child experience complexities in their health when they are not able to handle the elevated sugar levels. Impairment in the fasting glucose and faulty glucose tolerance would have adverse effects on both mother and child in the following ways:

  • Larger size baby: It is the stage of macrosoma when the baby grows larger than the normal size. Rising sugar levels in the mother’s body cause the elevation of insulin in the body of the baby. That makes it difficult for the woman to deliver the baby. Such complexities make the doctors decide on a Caesarian operation.
  • Problem of low blood sugar in the infant: It is the case of hypoglycemia and in this situation, the infant has high levels of insulin. Regular detection and medication for the baby become mandatory in this situation.
  • Possibility of type 2 diabetes: It is the stage when the cells are unable to respond to the insulin. Glucose remains in the bloodstream and that’s what makes the women suffer the worst. In case you are getting pregnant in the future, you may again suffer from rising blood sugar.
  • Condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy: The rise in blood pressure levels does not let oxygen and nutrients flow into the placenta.  It raises the uterine problem and premature birth of the infant.
  • Discharge of excess urine: It is a case of polyhydramnios[1] which makes the baby discharge urine in excess form.
  • Poor maternity conditions: C-section operation[2] is one of the common problems that a woman undergoes with diabetic pregnancy.
  • How can I prevent gestational diabetes?

    It is difficult to cure the condition of gestational diabetes. However, there are preventive measures for remission of diabetic symptoms given below:

    Gestational diabetes diet

    As an effective gestational diabetes prevention measure, you must include whole grains, fruits, lean proteins and healthy fats. Eating in small intervals will also help in boosting healthy blood sugar. Controlling the intake of sugar-rich and processed food items will help in promoting healthy weight conditions.

    Gestational diabetes exercise

    Performing light or moderate-intensity exercises can help in reducing excess fats from the body. You can at least complete 15 to 30 minutes a day for 5 consecutive days every week. Further, you can consult with a dietitian or certified health care provider to maintain the optimum balance of rising sugar levels of diabetes and pregnancy.

    Monitoring blood sugar levels during pregnancy

    Regular screening tests of glucose levels between 24 weeks and 29 weeks o,f pregnancy will help in determining the elevation levels of sugar. It will help the health care provider to analyze the condition of diabetic pregnancy and prescribe appropriate medications, diet and exercise. 

    Pregnancy Planning

    Reproductive planning is essential for a diabetic woman's successful conception and delivery. You can enlist the help of a medical professional for an in-depth evaluation regarding your womb health and blood sugar levels to determine a risk-free pregnancy and delivery.

    Conclusion

    Diabetic pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. Such medical conditions make females undergo risky pregnancy and difficult delivery. Gestational conditions affect those females who are obese, eat excess sugar and have sedentary lifestyles. Imbalance in hormones during the 24th week and 25th weeks of pregnancy results in gestational diabetic symptoms like dry mouth, excess urination, sense of discomfort and itching in the private area. Such conditions require serious medical attention, lifestyle changes and further screening of glucose levels in the body. The most important aspect of a health checkup is determining the condition of the fetus and its development in the womb of the female undergoing a diabetic pregnancy.

    Disclaimer: Gestational diabetes is a serious condition, which can cause complications for both the mother and the baby. If you are struggling with gestational diabetes, it is important to follow your doctor's recommendations to establish a treatment strategy. This may include dietary changes, exercise, and/or medication.

    Profile Image Dr. Pooja Verma

    Dr. Pooja Verma

    Dr. Pooja Verma is a sincere General Ayurvedic Physician who holds a BAMS degree with an interest in healing people holistically. She makes tailor-made treatment plans for a patient based on the blend of Ayurveda and modern science. She specializes in the treatment of diabetes, joint pains, arthritis, piles, and age-related mobility issues.

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