Gestational Diabetes
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy when the mother's body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs. This leads to a build up of glucose in the blood to high levels, known as hyperglycemia. This usually happens between 24th to the 28th week of pregnancy. It occurs in about 4% of all pregnant women in the United States.
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born but there is a higher chance of occurrence in future pregnancies. Some women go on to develop type 2 diabetes later.
How does it affect your baby?
If gestational diabetes is untreated or poorly controlled, it can affect your baby in the following ways:
- "Fat" baby or macrosomia
- Difficulty in giving birth, may need a caesarian
- Newborn baby may have low blood glucose levels at birth
- At higher risk for breathing problems
- Jaundice may develop
- At risk for childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes in adulthood
Treating gestational diabetes
- Seek advice from your doctor, dietitian and nurse educator of your healthcare team
- Daily blood glucose monitoring
- Special meal plans
- Exercise
- Medication and insulin injection, if advised by your doctor
Reference:
- https://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp.
- Gestational Diabetes Resource Guide - American Diabetes Association
- Diabetes Totally Uncovered, 2002 edition. Changi General Hospital
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