Diabetes is a chronic disease with the potential of affecting all organs and organ systems. During pregnancy, specific steps need to be taken to manage diabetes, as uncontrolled levels of blood sugar can cause substantial health problems for mother and baby.
Demand for insulin usually increases during pregnancy and it is not uncommon for diabetic pregnant women to need insulin therapy or increased doses
of medication.
Around 10 per cent of healthy women develop diabetic symptoms for the first time during pregnancy. This condition is called gestational diabetes. Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes is not permanent. After the baby is born, blood glucose levels return to normal and no further treatment is necessary.
Most women diagnosed with gestational diabetes don’t have any symptoms. This is why screening tests for diabetes and thorough blood sugar monitoring are critical during pregnancy. Many women can manage their gestational diabetes with physical exercise and a healthy diet. Medication is required for about 15 per cent of cases to control blood sugar levels and in most cases it is a daily insulin injection.
Regardless of whether you require insulin or not, you should receive advice from your healthcare team to ensure your diabetes is well controlled during your pregnancy.
What are the risks of uncontrolled gestational diabetes?
Development of a larger baby with increased risk for birth induction or Caesarean section
Abnormal development of the baby (for instance of the baby’s heart)
Breathing problems after birth
Stillbirth or death shortly after birth
A healthy pregnancy
Most women with gestational diabetes will experience a successful pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby if their glucose levels are controlled.
Follow up on the treatment plan from your physician
Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly
Regularly monitor your blood glucose
Keep up with your regular prenatal appointments
Amber Clinics invites you to join its Amber Diabetes Registry or Amber Diabetes Patient Education Programme. Its highly specialised interdisciplinary Diabetes Care Team is looking forward to taking care of you.
As Amber Clinics considers Diabetes Registry and Interactive Diabetes Education a corporate social responsibility, attendance of both programmes is free of cost for everybody.
