About 50% of women who develop gestational diabetes go on to develop full blown Diabetes type 2. It affects up to 10% of pregnancies yearly . It’s less common than Diabetes types 1 and 2 but sadly its prevalence is increasing daily .
What is Gestational Diabetes?
This is said to occur when high blood sugar develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth . It happens when as a result of pregnancy , the body finds it more difficult to produce enough insulin . Pregnancy does put a toil on the woman’s body .
It can happen during any stage in pregnancy but is more common during the Second and Third Trimester of pregnancy
Risk Factors include :
- Being 40 years and above
- Having a BMI above 30
- Family history
- Race : Asian , Black, African
- Having had it in a previous pregnancy
- Having previously birthed a baby weighing over 4.5kg ( 10Ib)
Complications :
- Premature birth
- Stillbirth
- Pre-eclampsia which can lead to fits , high blood pressure
- Jaundice in the baby
- Birthing big babies which may lead to problems during labour
- Development of polyhydramnios which is too much amniotic fluid around the baby which can lead to premature birth
A long term complication of gestational diabetes is developing full blown diabetes if appropriate steps and lifestyle changes aren’t taken
Treatment includes:
Gentle exercise
Diet change
It’s important that all pregnant women go for antenatal care and get screened using OGTT
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