What is gestational diabetes?
Diabetes occurring when you are pregnant is known as gestational diabetes (GD or GDM) and is known to affect somewhere between 6 – 9 percent of women during pregnancy.
Please be assured, that with the right monitoring together with specialist treatment and care – women who develop gestational diabetes can still have a safe and healthy pregnancy that is not harmful to either them, or their baby.
When does gestational diabetes occur and what are the causes?
Gestational diabetes typically develops between week 24 and 28 of pregnancy. If you develop gestational diabetes, your placenta hormones can block insulin-action which prevents your body’s ability to effectively regulate the increased blood sugar caused by your pregnancy.
Who is at risk of developing gestational diabetes?
Although it is not entirely certain why some women develop gestational diabetes, there are some known risk factors. These include
- Being overweight – having a BMI of 30 or over.
- Pregnancy at an older age – when you are over the age of 40.
- A family history of gestational diabetes.
- Ethnicity. Aboriginal women and Torres Strait Islanders have a greater risk as do Asian and Hispanic women.
- Having a previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes.
- Having a multiple pregnancy.
- Complications in a previous pregnancy such as still birth, low or high birth weight.
- PCOS
If you have slightly elevated blood sugar levels before pregnancy it can mean you are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes and how is it diagnosed?
Most women who develop gestational diabetes don’t have symptoms. They are often diagnosed as part of the routine care undertaken by their healthcare team during pregnancy. However, if you have any of the known risk factors listed above, Dr Nandi may arrange for a test at an earlier date in your pregnancy. The usual diagnosis is by a glucose tolerance test.
What are the effects of gestational diabetes?
If you have gestational diabetes and it is left untreated or not managed effectively, your body produces excessive amounts of sugar which circulates through yours and your baby’s blood. This can have potentially serious health risks that include:
- Your baby being too large which makes a natural delivery more difficult. This often will require the baby to be delivered by Caesarean or “C” section.
- The development of preeclampsia. This is the term used for high blood pressure during blood pressure. In worst cases, it can result in the death of the mother as well as stillbirth of the baby.
- The baby having post birth complications such as jaundice, low blood sugar or breathing difficulties. The can also be a potential risk for the baby to have obesity and type 2 diabetes.
What steps can be taken to prevent gestational diabetes?
If you have a family history of gestational diabetes, a previous gestational diabetes pregnancy or an older age pregnancy, there is no preventative action available to minimise your risk.
Risk factors that can be addressed include adopting new diet and exercise habits to address being overweight. The adoption of new healthy habits prior to becoming pregnant and during pregnancy can make a big difference and reduce your risk.
Planning on becoming pregnant?
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, take the following steps before conception and during your pregnancy:
- Be Active: Small good exercise habits built into your daily routine have positive results. Just a 15-minute walk after lunch and again after dinner allows your body to burn glucose.
- Watch your portions and adopt a well balanced diet that includes fruit and vegetables, legumes, fish, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates. Be aware of your fat intake and limit the amount of saturated and trans fats you consume (such as butter, palm and coconut oils). Also limit your intake of cheese, and processed meats like ham, and avoid processed and sugary foods.
- Determine with your family doctor, Dr Nandi or your obstetrician a normal pregnancy weight and BMI and make an effort to lose any extra kilos before you conceive.
How do we manage and treat gestational diabetes?
If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your health during pregnancy – and your baby’s health will need ongoing treatment and management for best outcomes. Dr Nandi is an expert in the treatment and management of gestational diabetes and will work in collaboration with diabetes educators, dieticians and your obstetric health care team to manage your condition throughout your pregnancy.
Please ask your family doctor for a referral call to arrange for an appointment. At your consultation, Dr Nandi will discuss your condition in detail, review your history and pregnancy, and will then be able to develop a management and treatment plant to ensure you and your baby remain healthy.
