A Healthy Pregnancy, A Healthy Baby(Gestational Diabetes)

June 6, 2019

A Healthy Pregnancy, A Healthy Baby(Gestational Diabetes)

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When You and Your Baby Need Special Care

Your blood tests show that you have Gestational Diabetes. This doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong. And it doesn’t mean that your baby will be born with diabetes. But it does mean that you need to take special care of yourself, so you and your baby stay healthy.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a special kind of diabetes that happens only during pregnancy (gestation). Changes that occur in your body while you’re pregnant cause your blood sugar to be too high. Gestational diabetes is more likely in women who:

Are overweight.
Are older than 25 years of age.
Have had gestational diabetes in the past.
Have a family history of diabetes.
Have had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth.

Help from Your Healthcare Team

To have a healthy baby, you need to take special care of yourself. Your healthcare team will help you learn what to do.

An obstetrician (a doctor who cares for women during pregnancy) or a family doctor will oversee your care.
You may also see an endocrinologist (a doctor who treats diabetes) or Gynaecologist & Obstetrician expert in treating High Risk Pregnancy.

Understanding Blood Sugar Your body turns food into blood sugar to use for energy. Your blood sugar also goes to your baby. If your blood sugar level gets too high, it can cause problems for the baby and for you. You can help prevent these problems by controlling your blood sugar.

Too Much Blood Sugar Affects You and Your Baby If your body can’t use insulin properly, your blood sugar level gets too high. Then too much blood sugar goes to your baby. This can cause problems for both you and your baby.

Risks to You

If you don’t control your blood sugar, you are more likely to have these problems:

You may have high blood pressure. High blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to a condition called preeclampsia. This is a danger to your health. It could mean that your baby will have to be delivered early.
You may have more infections. High blood sugar makes you more likely to have bladder, kidney, and vaginal infections.
You may be uncomfortable or short of breath. High blood sugar can cause too much fluid around the baby. This is called polyhydramnios. Your abdomen gets big and pushes on your lungs.
Your delivery may be harder, and recovery may take longer. If your blood sugar stays too high, your baby can grow too large. A large baby might cause injury to you during birth. In some cases, that might cause the baby to be delivered by cesarean section (C-section). This means making a cut (incision) in your abdomen and uterus. Needing a C-section is one of the most common risks of gestational diabetes.

Risks to Your Baby

If you don’t control your blood sugar, your baby is more likely to have these problems:

Your baby can grow too large. This is called macrosomia. This can make it hard for your baby to come through your vagina without injuring the baby’s arms and shoulders.
Your baby’s organs may not be fully developed before birth. If your baby’s lungs are affected, he or she may have trouble breathing (respiratory distress syndrome). If your baby’s liver is affected, he or she may have yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) after birth.
Your baby’s blood sugar may be low after birth. If your blood sugar is too high, your baby makes extra insulin. The baby still makes extra insulin right after birth. Then he or she may have to be treated for low blood sugar.
Your baby could be stillborn. This is not very common, but your baby could die before birth if your blood sugar stays high for too long.

Controlling Blood Sugar Helps Prevent Problems You can lower your blood sugar by eating right and exercising. You might also need to take insulin or oral medications. If you keep your blood sugar in control, the risks to you and your baby are the same as for a normal pregnancy.

How Much Weight Should You Gain?

You need to gain some weight so your baby will grow. But gaining too much weight can make your blood sugar harder to control.

Your weight was normal before pregnancy Gain 25 to 35 lbs.

You were overweight before pregnancy Gain 15 to 25 lbs.

You were underweight before pregnancy or are under 18 years old Gain 28 to 40 lbs.

You are having twins Gain 35 to 45 lbs.

Your total weight gain should be (ask your Gynecologist)

For You and Your Baby The health of you and your baby depends on how well you control your blood sugar. To do this, follow your meal plan every day. See your Doctor regularly. And, if you’re asked to do so, check your blood sugar at home. Doing all of these things helps make sure you and your baby stay healthy.

In case you have Gestational diabetes, feel free to send us a query or walk in for a consultation. Dr. Rimmi Singla(Senior Consultant Laparoscopic Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, IVF& Infertility Specialist) will always suggest you the best treatment depending on your diagnosis.