Pregnancy can be one of the most thrilling and most daunting times in a woman’s life. As soon as you see that little line on the pregnancy test, the worry seems to set in. As much as possible, a woman in her reproductive age must be extra careful on her diet and habits before it leads to complications during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes. Pregnant Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and at delivery.
The World Health Organization defines Gestational diabetes as hyperglycemia with blood glucose values above normal but below those diagnostic of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed through prenatal screening, rather than through reported symptoms.
According to the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance, One or two women in every 10 is at risk of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes (GDM) is prevalent in the Philippines. Published data from the Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies Study Group on Diabetes in Pregnancy (ASGODIP) showed that the Philippines has a GDM prevalence of 14% in 1,203 pregnancies surveyed. Because of this high prevalence rate, the Unite for Diabetes Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) recommends universal GDM screening for the Filipino population. The ASGODIP data found that about 40.4% of high-risk women were positive for GDM when screening was performed beyond the 26th week of pregnancy.
The causes of gestational diabetes are not known but some people have a higher risk of developing the condition. The risk factors for developing gestational diabetes include: Age (older women are at more risk), obesity, physical inactivity, genetics, history of gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy and polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Gestational diabetes can often be controlled with diet and exercise. If it is not detected and controlled, it can increase the risk of birth complications, such as shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during the birth). It can also lead to babies being large for their gestational age. In most cases, gestational diabetes develops in the second or third trimester (from week 14 of the pregnancy to the birth) and disappears after the baby is born. However, women who develop gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
The most common tests to screen for Gestational diabetes is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or a random blood glucose test. These test the amount of glucose (sugar) in a sample of blood taken from a vein in your arm. A random glucose blood test may involve having one or several samples of blood tested to see if your blood glucose levels are as expected, or if they vary widely.
The best way to lower your risk for gestational diabetes is to stay healthy and prepare your body for pregnancy. If you’re overweight, you can make a few tweaks to prepare for pregnancy such as improving your diet and eat healthy foods, establish a regular exercise routine and consider weight loss. If you’re inactive, regardless of whether or not you’re overweight, you should also work toward regular physical activity at least three times a week. Exercise moderately for at least 30 minutes each time. If you’ve had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy and you’re planning to become pregnant again, consult your doctor. They will perform early screening to identify your risk factors and ensure that you will have a healthy pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, you should be taking care of yourself and the baby. A woman planning to conceive should make lifestyle choices that can help her achieve a healthy pregnancy. Plan ahead and make the best move. Nothing beats better planning and making wise choices.
PNC-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas
References:
1. What is gestational diabetes?
2. Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Eastern and Southeastern Asia
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2018/6536974/
3. Diabetes Care in the Philippines
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214999615012643#:~:text=Gestational%20diabetes%20(GDM)%20is%20prevalent,14%25%20in%201203%20pregnancies%20surveyed.
4. How can I lower my risk of gestational diabetes?
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/preventing-gestational-diabetes#prevention