Gestational diabetes, symptoms and measures to deal with it
Gestational diabetes affects many pregnant women. The most vulnerable to this disease are women who are overweight or after the age of 35, or twin pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually develops in the middle of pregnancy, especially between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy.
Causes of gestational diabetes:
During pregnancy, many changes occur in the body of a pregnant woman that lead to the accumulation and rise of the level of sugar in the blood, the most important of which is the hormonal imbalance so that the body becomes unable to effectively respond to the insulin hormone (as a result of the increase in the proportion of anti-insulin hormones produced by the placenta, which helps in the continuation of the pregnancy) Forming what is known as insulin resistance, which is the main hormone responsible for regulating the level of sugar in the blood, in addition to that, there are many factors that play a role in increasing the risk of developing gestational diabetes, including:
Pregnant women over the age of 25 years.
Family history and having a close relative, such as a mother or sister, with gestational diabetes.
Pregnant women who were obese before pregnancy (BMI greater than 30) or abnormal weight gain during pregnancy.
2. Women who suffer from hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome
Women with high blood pressure.
For recurrent miscarriage or stillbirth with no apparent reason.
Gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies or the birth of a child weighing more than 4.5 kilograms.
Symptoms of gestational diabetes
For most women, signs or symptoms of gestational diabetes are rare. In some cases, a pregnant woman may experience one of the symptoms associated with high blood sugar, which varies in severity and requires a visit to the doctor, including:
Extreme thirst and an urgent need to urinate.
Feeling tired and unwell.
Vomiting and nausea not associated with pregnancy.
Blurred vision.
Increased chances of infection, including urinary tract infection and vaginitis
Method for analyzing blood sugar in pregnancy:
The analysis takes place after the twenty-fourth week. Pregnant women usually have low blood sugar in the morning, even if they have diabetes.
A blood glucose test, which is a simple test, during which your doctor will ask you to drink a solution containing 75 grams of sugar :
A blood test after one hour
Then two hours. Initially, blood sugar is checked while fasting, then the doctor will ask you to drink a sugar solution and measure the blood sugar level for two hours (take a reading after the first and second hour) in case you have at least two abnormal values (blood sugar level is higher than normal) You are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
The effect of gestational diabetes on the pregnant woman and the fetus:
A permanently high blood sugar level in a pregnant woman may cause the birth of a baby suffering from jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), or a low blood sugar level, and he may need to stay in the hospital to monitor his blood sugar level after birth.
What is the treatment of gestational diabetes?
Treatment usually begins with a diet and monitoring the blood sugar level at least three times a day. Usually several hours after the meal. If not controlled, then prescribe pill drugs. Some cases require insulin needles. '
Gestational diabetes complications?
The health of the fetus must also be monitored by ultrasound. As he is prone to diabetes complications when pregnant.
As it may lead to an increase in sugar in the fetus, and thus the secretion of more officials in the fetus. Which may lead to an increase in fat percentage and weight. This may lead to several things during pregnancy or childbirth.
Usually, blood sugar is low in pregnant women in the morning, even if she has diabetes, so we recommend that you check sugar after drinking the amount of glucose in the laboratory of 75 grams. Then check the sugar after an hour and two hours of drinking the solution. If there are two values higher than the permissible limit. We can put a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
Treatment for gestational diabetes:
Treatment usually begins with a diet and monitoring the blood sugar level at least three times a day. Usually several hours after the meal. If the readings are not controlled, then we can use treatments. Sometimes pregnant women need to control sugar. Cases need insulin needles. The health of the fetus must also be monitored by ultrasound. As it is prone to complications of thanksgiving when pregnant
Monitor blood sugar throughout the day, and your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar level 4-5 times a day after meals to make sure it remains within normal values.
Follow a healthy diet by reducing the intake of carbohydrates, sugary foods, and foods saturated with fat, and making sure to have plenty of fruits and vegetables, and foods rich in fiber, and continuing to exercise pregnancy for pregnancy, as this is considered the best way to manage the level of sugar in the blood.
In some cases, insulin injections are prescribed and committed to taking them until birth.
After childbirth, it is advised to monitor blood sugar and perform a blood sugar test after 6-13 weeks after birth, and then repeat this every year (up to three years at least) if the test result is normal.
Foods to avoid to help control gestational diabetes
It is to stay away from so-called foods with a high glycemic index
Sugar of all kinds
Food fried in oil
Canned and processed meats such as: hot dogs, mortadella, etc.
Most cheeses
Canned and fresh juices, we can exclude natural juices prepared from berries of all kinds
Chocolate
Fast food
Bread of all kinds
Foods that are often good and do not raise the glycemic index:
Chicken, lean beef, fish
Vegetables
skimmed milk
Cheese, skimmed labneh
Hummus, fava beans
Egg white
Wheat spaghetti
Grilled potatoes
Dr. Qassem Shehab, consultant of advanced laparoscopic surgery, gynecology and obstetrics. Subspecialty specialization in the treatment of urinary incontinence and gynecological edema
Abdali Hospital, Boulevard, 24th floor
Oman Jourdan
For reservations and inquiries
FAQ:
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is high after the twenty-fourth week
Diagnosis of gestational diabetes
First, by taking a morning sample before breakfast, then drinking 75 grams of glucose and re-testing every hour for two hours
Treatment for gestational diabetes
We start with the diet first, then the pills, and we may need insulin needles
Gestational sugar diet
We start by staying away from foods with a high glycemic index
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