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Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023
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Gestational Diabetes

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Dr. Anjuli DixitGynaecologist • 33 Years Exp.MBBS, DGO
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Gestational diabetes is also known as gestational mellitus diabetes (GDM). It is a prevalent disorder which affects pregnant women and the main cause of this condition is the imbalance in the functioning of the insulin, which mainly happens due to the presence of human placental lactogen. Expecting mothers show a raise in their blood sugar level, especially during the last trimester of their pregnancy. Women who do not have a medical history of diabetes can also be affected with this condition.

Prominent symptoms of gestational pregnancy include:
Gestational diabetes does not have any prominent symptoms; it can only be diagnosed through proper and professional screening of blood sugar level. You should immediately consult a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

  1. Increased level of blood sugar
  2. Trouble to concentrate
  3. Recurrent headaches
  4. Increased thirst
  5. Blurry vision
  6. Sudden weight loss
  7. Decrease in low blood sugar level
  8. Anxiety
  9. Dizziness
  10. Pangs of hunger
  11. Pale skin and dry skin
  12. Excessive sweating
  13. Persistent weakness

How can you manage gestational diabetes?
Modification of lifestyle pattern, healthy food habits and moderate physical exercise can help minimize the risk of gestational diabetes in expecting mothers.
In order to manage gestational diabetes, the following things should be followed:

  1. The treatment when accompanied with balanced diet and routine exercises, reduces the occurrence of health problems in both mother and child.
  2. A routine screening for type ii diabetes should be conducted throughout the pregnancy, to ensure early detection and treatment of the same.
  3. A diet rich in fiber and whole grains minimizes the risk of diabetes in pregnancy, fresh fruits and vegetables are also known to check the blood sugar level in expecting mother, minimizing the occurrence of health problem in both mother and child.
  4. Giving up the use of cigarettes and other forms of tobacco may reduce the chances of gestational diabetes in female smokers.

How Does Gestational Diabetes affect Pregnancy?
Gestational diabetes is harmful for both the expecting mother and the child. It increases the risk of complications in pregnancy that can prove to be fatal.
Potential risks of gestational pregnancy include:

  1. Increased risk of needing a C-section
  2. Miscarriage
  3. Preeclampsia and high blood pressure
  4. Preterm chance of birth
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