Gestational diabetes

The gestational diabetes is a disorder that usually affects the four percent of pregnant women and, as a general rule, it is presented after the seventh month. It is accompanied by a high blood glucose level, so it is important to follow the doctor's follow-up since the symptoms usually go unnoticed and, hence, the high risk of negatively affecting the baby.

The gestational diabetes it is a disease that affectsthe pregnant womancausing disorders of conception, spontaneous abortions and a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus after delivery.

With regarding the baby, the main risk caused by gestational diabetes is the increase in the chances of developing diabetes and having a tendency to obesity when reaching adulthood. In addition, it may cause a delay in growth, congenital malformations, a larger size than normal, premature birth and, in more severe cases, fetal death.


Causes of gestational diabetes in pregnancy

This type of diabetes has its origin in insulin resistance on the distaff side. In pregnancy, the mother's body prepares to have the necessary reserves to allow the correct development of the baby. For this reason, placental hormones block the mother's insulin action to increase blood sugar levels and, thus, be available as a reserve for the baby. This process is known as insulin resistance.

The problem appears when there is not enough insulin to counteract the effect of placental hormones, thus resulting in gestational diabetes.


Symptoms that occur in gestational diabetes

- Blurry vision.

- Fatigue

- You want to drink a lot of water constantly.

- Increased urination.

- Nausea and vomiting.

- Weightloss.

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed

Gestational diabetes will be diagnosed through a test escreening Routine blood that is done to all pregnant women. This test will determine the blood glucose level after ingesting 50gr of glucose.

This test is usually done between the week 24 and 28 of pregnancy and in case of high risk, women with more than 35 years of age or with obesity, it is done between weeks 10 and 12 of pregnancy.

How can we prevent gestational diabetes?

To prevent gestational diabetes, the woman must control weight during pregnancy and follow a balanced diet. It is important, to combat diabetes, to follow the following guidelines:


- Divide the meals into six daily intakes, spaced in two-hour stretches, with lunch and dinner being the two main meals to avoid hypoglycemia due to the fasting period and the greater calorie expenditure.

- You must follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, with regular presence of white meats and fish: chicken, turkey, hake, sea bass ...

- To choose low fat cooking methods: iron, steam, boiled.

- Avoid sweets, soft drinks, processed juices and industrial pastries.

- Maintain an adequate consumption of calcium.

- Perform soft exercise and on a regular basis will help control diabetes.

Dr. Juan Luna. Head of Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of Hospital La Milagrosa in Madrid.

You may also like:

- How to prevent diabetes after pregnancy

- New remedies for childhood diabetes

- How to carry a healthy pregnancy

Video: Gestational Diabetes: Managing Risk During and After Pregnancy Video - Brigham and Women’s Hospital


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