GESTATIONAL DIABETES:MANAGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE

My mum's first encounter with diabetes was during her last pregnancy in 1991.
Gestational diabetes is to mean high blood sugar (glucose) during pregnancy.
Once diagnosed with gestational diabetes the question on your mind may be any of these;

• How will it affect my unborn child?
• How does it affect me?
• Will my blood glucose level be normal again?

Women who develop gestational diabetes never had it until when they are diagnosed during pregnancy. This term does not refer to known diabetics who are pregnant.

EFFECT ON MOTHER AND CHILD.

Risk to child

• If not well managed, the baby have high risk of having low blood glucose and jaundice at birth.
• The baby usually have high birth weight- MACROSOMIA. This causes the baby to be too largeto be delivered vaginally, leading to delivery through cesarean section.
• Most often than not, these babies are delivered before their due date.
• Because the baby develop too fast, early delivery through cesarean section is required, since the lung at the time of delivery is not well developed, the baby may develop respiratory distress.

Risk to mother

• Delivery through cesarean section place the mother at risk of increased bleeding, prolonged recovery and infections.
• The mother may have high blood pressure in pregnancy (PREECLAMPSIA),  This is dangerous to both mother and child.
• Because the body is trying to compensate for glucose, it breaks down fat for energy, thus producing ketones as by product. Ketone can be detected in urine, and it is harmful to both mother and child.

SYMPTOMS
Most expectant mothers do not show any symptoms. Women at risk are usually tested for their blood glucose level between the 24-28 weeks of gestation. this is the period when the baby begins to use insulin. Test method is Oral Glucose Tolerance Test  (OGTT).

MANAGEMENT
Just like in type 2 diabetes, management plans is as follows:

• Diet plan
• Exercise
• Medication (may be insulin)
• Treatment is usually based on outcome of test results.
• Frequent monitoring of blood glucose level at this time is very important

MANAGING GESTATIONAL DIABETES FOR THE FUTURE
Though gestational diabetes increases a woman's chances of developing diabetes in the future, it usually goes away after delivery.
According to American diabetes Association, only 5-10% of women develop type 2 diabetes after giving birth.
6 weeks after delivery women who had gestational diabetes should have a blood glucose test and repeat at least every 3 years.
As soon as you become pregnant again,let your health care provider know you had gestational diabetes earlier, it will help guide them towards prevention or management of diabetes. You can also request for a blood glucose test.
After delivery ensure adequate diet and exercise plan to enable you loose weight and get into shape to prevent diabetes,
Healthy food such as vegetables, fish, fruits, lean meat, whole grain, low or non-fat milk, beans, peas and nuts are of utmost necessity.
Ensure you drink plenty of water at least 8 glasses daily.
Smaller food portions will help you achieve healthy weight.