By Gary J. Sanders
Oft times, it is seen that perfectly normal and healthy women develop Diabetes Mellitus during their pregnancy. How does this occur and what is the relation between diabetes and pregnancy?
There are two types of diabetes during pregnancy. The first one is when the woman who has conceived is already known to be a diabetic. In the second case, she becomes diabetes during her pregnancy. This is also called 'gestational diabetes'.
The occurrence of diabetes in an expectant woman can potentially pose great problems for both the mother and her unborn child. Female diabetics often suffer from hormonal and menstrual disturbances and hence, many of them find it difficult even to conceive. If the mother-to-be is already diabetic, she may experience trouble trying to control her blood sugar levels. The fetus too is at risk as it might grow up with certain congenital disorders. In severe cases, the mother is even unable to carry her baby to term.
Thankfully, Medicine today has advanced to the extent of being able to provide intensive glycemic control to the mother, both prior to and during her pregnancy, so that she is able to deliver a healthy and normal child. Now a diabetic woman of child-bearing age can safely expect that she would have a successful pregnancy and delivery.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is that which occurs in a woman only during her pregnancy. GDM may rarely give rise to complications in the pregnancy. Pregnancy naturally reduces insulin sensitivity in the body, due to a sharp change in the hormones, created by the emergence of placental hormones. The diabetes that occurs thus in a woman heightens during her second and third trimesters.
The good part is that GDM normally resolves itself after delivery, but the bad news is that it just might come back again during subsequent conceptions. About one-thirds of pregnant women who experienced gestational diabetes may be at risk of developing lifelong Type 2 Diabetes.
When you should suspect gestational diabetes
If you are pregnant, you should suspect you might be diabetic if you are overweight or obese, have crossed the conventional child-bearing age of 25-28 years, have had a family history, have repeatedly not been able to carry your child to term or have given birth to a malformed infant, have a history of delivering rather large babies or are a member of a racial or ethnic group that is, by nature, prone to diabetes.
Management of diabetes during pregnancy
Ideally speaking, your management of diabetes should start much prior to your conception, especially so, if you are already a diabetic. Educate yourself about pregnancy during diabetes and how it can affect both you and your infant. Talk to your doctor and decide upon the best and most effective ways to control your blood sugar levels.
It is of equal importance to pay attention to your general health, eat right, exercise moderately, quit smoking and drinking and get the right amount of nutritional supplements. Additionally, you should do a regular check of your blood glucose and insulin levels. In case you are diagnosed with diabetes, also go in for regular fetal monitoring as well.
Remain in control of your diabetes and your pregnancy and childbirth will be absolutely smooth and trouble-free!
Gary Sanders is an expert on and diabetes sufferer. He has dedicated the last decade of his life to mastering every aspect of diabetes including nutrition, diabetes and pregnancy, symptoms of diabetes, diagnosis, and prevention. He has created an award winning guide that is available at http://www.diabetessymptomsguide.com
