There's an increasing number of women who are at pregnancy have diabetes, whether gestational or pre-existing clinical condition.
Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with a number of adverse outcomes including birth trauma(as a result of Big babies-Obstructive labour), neonatal hypoglycemia(Over production Insulin in Fetal circulation in response to High glucose levels in Maternal Circulation) and Pre-eclampsia( High Blood Pressure and proteinuria)
Those with pre-existing diabetes have additional risks include:
congenital
Defects and perinatal mortality.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body can't make enough insulin Type I,or can't use insulin normally Type II.
What is the importance of insulin?
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the Beta cells of pancreas. It helps sugar in the blood to get into cells of body to be used as a fuel (Glycogenolysis)
When glucose can't enter cells,it builds up in the blood.This leads to high blood sugar ( Hyperglycemia ).
High blood sugar can cause problems all over the body.It can damage blood vessels and nerves.It can harm the eyes,
kidney and heart.
There are 3 types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes: It is an autoimmune disorder in which our own immune system damages the cells in the pancreas that
make insulin
Type 2 diabetes: This is when body either can't make enough insulin or use it normally.
Gestational diabetes: condition in which blood sugar levels goes up and other diabetic symptoms appears during
pregnancy in which women who has not been diagnosed with diabetes previously and usually resolves on its own after
giving birth.
During pregnancy, placenta gives nutrients and oxygen to growing baby. This placenta also makes hormones.
In late pregnancy,the hormones oestrogen, cortisol and HPL( human placental lactogen ), placental insulinase
can block and inactivates insulin.when insulin is blocked, it's called insulin resistance. Glucose can't enter body cells.As a result sugar levels in blood.
Who are at risk for diabetes during pregnancy?
Type 1 diabetes often occurs in children or young adults,but it can start at any age.
Type 2 diabetes is more likely to seen in overweight women.
Gestational diabetes is most commonly seen in
over weight women & also common in women who have had gestational diabetes before and it is common in women
who have a family member with type 2 diabetes.
women with twins or other multiples are also most likely to have it.
High blood pressure
prediabetes ( elevated blood sugar which is not high enough to be called diabetes.
Those with PCOS ( poly cystic overy syndrome )
previously giving birth to child that weighted 9 pounds or had any Birth defect.
previously having any unexplained
Still birth or miscarriage.
symptoms of gestational diabetes?
There are no common symptoms of diabetes.Most women don't know it until they get tested.
You may experience symptoms which are caused by high blood sugar levels.
Which include :
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Excessive thirst and urination
weight loss
Increased rate of infections, particularly in the urinary tract,vagina and skin.
These symptoms will go away after delivery of baby,when glucose levels
Return to normal.
What are the preventive measures to be taken for Diabetes during pregnancy?
Frequent meals with less quantity in Diabetic Plate proportion.
Exercise (Brisk walking for 5-10 min 5 days a week)
High protein , fibre and iron rich diet
Recommended Daily Allowance of 2100-2500 Kcal per day
Regular antenatal visits
