All nine months from the moment of the conception of the baby are a rather stressful period in the life of absolutely every woman. With the appearance of the fetus in the womb, the mother's body requires more strength and energy. Very often, it is during this period that the course of all metabolic processes in the body changes. Moreover, gestational insulin dependence often appears.
Adipose tissue, liver, muscles become less susceptible to the hormone insulin. When adverse conditions occur, blood sugar rises, which very often entails the appearance of diabetes. This disease, as a rule, is detected during the next examination in a antenatal clinic. For a period of up to 24 weeks, only venous blood is taken for analysis, and in the third trimester a special test is performed - the sugar curve.
general information
Gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy is a rather serious disease that requires a competent approach to treatment. The basis of this ailment is an incorrect metabolism of carbohydrates, or rather, a decrease in glucose tolerance.
In the United States, studies on this issue have been repeatedly conducted. According to available information, gestational diabetes in women in the situation is diagnosed in 4% of cases. European scientists have announced other information. It is known that the prevalence of this disease varies from 1 to about 14% of the total number of pregnancies. About 10% of women after childbirth remain with the symptoms of this ailment, which subsequently turns into type 2 diabetes.
Such relatively high prevalence rates of pathology around the world indicate, first of all, the lack of awareness of women about the possible consequences of this disease. As a result, only a few seek qualified help from doctors.
What is the threat of diabetes during pregnancy?
Firstly, this is a negative effect on the fetus inside the mother’s womb. In the early stages, diabetes can provoke spontaneous miscarriage or lead to various kinds of malformations in the development of the brain structures and heart of the baby. If the disease was diagnosed at a later date (2-3 trimesters), the likelihood of excessive fetal growth is very high, which entails diabetic fetopathy. The main signs of this pathology are considered overweight (more than 4 kg), respiratory distress, body imbalances, hypoglycemia.
How is pregnancy progressing?
In this case, it is impossible to accurately answer this question, since each case is individual. A woman is usually hospitalized in a hospital three times. For the first time in the early stages, she undergoes a full examination, according to the results of which the doctor decides on the preservation and management of pregnancy, and also prescribes preventive treatment. The second time hospitalization is carried out for a period of 20 weeks, since it is at this time that the appearance of the first complications is possible. At 32 weeks, the doctor chooses the method and timing of future delivery.
Who is most affected by this disease?
Gestational diabetes during pregnancy, as a rule, develops in the presence of a genetic predisposition, which is realized under the influence of several factors at once, such as:
• overweight;
• high urine sugar levels;
• various violations of carbohydrate metabolism;
• age (over 30 years);
• previous toxicosis and gestosis;
• various kinds of disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system;
• chronic miscarriage.
Main reasons
Gestational diabetes in women develops due to a decrease in the usual sensitivity of body cells to their own insulin. This is due to an increase in the level of hormones in the blood, which is very often observed during pregnancy. In addition, in women, glucose levels are rapidly decreasing, since now both the fetus and the placenta need it. A consequence of all the above factors is considered a compensatory increase in the production of insulin directly by the pancreas itself. So, that is why often in the blood of women in position, these indicators are slightly elevated. If the pancreas itself does not cope with its direct duties, namely with the production of the required amount of insulin, gestational diabetes develops.
Symptoms
The increase in sugar level with this ailment is usually insignificant. That is why pronounced signs in pregnant women are very rare. In some cases, thirst and frequent urination appear, as well as dry skin. However, all these symptoms are perceived by women as specific features of their position.
How is the confirmation of the disease?
Diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus involves a blood test for glucose and a special glucose tolerance test (GTT).
In medicine, two types of GTT are distinguished, depending on the method of glucose administration: intravenous and oral. During the second test, the patient is invited to drink a sweetened liquid that contains exactly 50 g of sugar. After 20 minutes, venous blood is taken from her for analysis (glucose content is determined in it). If the sugar level exceeds 140 mg / dl, an intravenous glucose tolerance test will also be required.
When conducting this study, it is very important to observe certain conditions. First of all, patients are advised to adhere to normal physical activity and nutrition within five days before the expected test date, however, the carbohydrate content in the diet should exceed 150 g. It is important to remember that blood sampling is carried out only in the morning and on an empty stomach. The patient is recommended fasting for 14 hours before the test. During the study itself, it is better to be in a calm state.
What should be the treatment?
Gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy is very often complicated by the fact that a woman has to measure glucose about four times a day. It is important to note that drug therapy in this case is categorically contraindicated, since it can adversely affect the development of the baby in the womb.
Regarding the issue of treatment, in this case, experts recommend adhering to a special diet, regularly check sugar indicators. If all of the above tips do not give the desired results, insulin therapy is prescribed.
What is the difference between a diet for this disease?
Gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy implies a certain diet. As already noted above, it is proper nutrition that most often becomes the key to successful treatment of an ailment. Experts recommend in no case to reduce the nutritional value of food, it is better to slightly reduce its calorie content. The following are effective dietary tips for this diagnosis.
• You should eat in small portions and always at a certain time.
• It is recommended that all fried and fatty foods, as well as easily digestible carbohydrates (for example, cakes, sweets) and fast food, be completely excluded from the daily diet.
• What can I eat with diabetes ? It is better to enrich the diet with various kinds of cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits, pasta (whole grain only). All of these products contain a large amount of fiber, which is very useful during pregnancy.
• In the diet you can use low-fat types of meat and fish, it is better to limit the consumption of smoked meats, sausages and sausages.
• Cook steamed or bake in the oven using a minimum amount of oil.
• It is not recommended to forget about the correct drinking regimen (at least two liters of still carbonated clean water per day).
Exercise stress
Daily exercise is very useful for pregnant women, as they maintain muscle tone, improve well-being and action of insulin, and prevent the appearance of excess body fat. Of course, the load in this case should be moderate. Women are encouraged to attend yoga classes, take small walks every day, and swim in the pool. Active exercise (horse riding, ice skating and skiing) should not be abused, as they can lead to injuries. It is important to adjust the number of loads each time, based on the well-being of the pregnant woman.
Postpartum observation
Immediately after birth, gestational diabetes in women usually disappears, but in some cases it can lead to complications. As already noted above, the baby is born very large, so often you have to resort to the help of a cesarean section. The thing is that with natural childbirth there is a chance of getting birth injuries.
A child is born with low sugar levels, but no special measures are taken to normalize it. The glucose level independently returns to normal if the mother is breastfeeding. This indicator should be constantly monitored by specialists from the maternity hospital.
If a woman will clearly follow all the instructions from the doctor during pregnancy, then her baby will not be threatened by gestational diabetes mellitus, childbirth will pass calmly.
If a woman neglects complex therapy during pregnancy, then this violation can lead to a diabetic fetopathy in the newborn . It is characterized by the following features:
• jaundice;
• increased blood coagulability;
• tissue edema;
• violation of the natural proportions of the body (for example, excessively thin limbs);
• various kinds of disorders of the respiratory system.
To finally overcome such an ailment as gestational diabetes, the diet should continue after childbirth. A strict diet is recommended until the blood sugar finally returns to normal.
Specialists advise all women with this diagnosis to do a test every year. It is believed that one in five women who have had the disease actually has undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Preventative measures
According to experts, it is actually very difficult to prevent the development of this disease. Often, women at risk do not suffer from diabetes at all.
It is important to note that pregnancy planning after this diagnosis should take place under the supervision of a doctor and not earlier than 2 years from the date of previous birth. A few months before this period, it is recommended to start monitoring your own weight, enter physical exercises into your daily routine, and ask your doctor what to eat for diabetes.
The intake of absolutely any medications must always be agreed with a specialist. The fact is that the uncontrolled use of medications, including birth control pills, can lead to the development of such an ailment as gestational diabetes.
Reviews of specialists and women who have already given birth indicate that in the case of a competent approach on the part of the doctor, the probability of a positive outcome of events is very high. It is important to continue to monitor your body after the baby is born. For example, after 1.5 months, you need to do a glucose test. Based on its results, the specialist will give his recommendations on future nutrition and lifestyle in general, as well as set the date for the next control test.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be noted once again that this diagnosis, subject to all recommendations from the attending physician, practically does not pose a threat to the health of the baby. In this case, it is very important to positively set up your thoughts, undergo all examinations in a timely manner, and eat right. You can find interesting recipes for diabetes, they will be useful not only to the woman in labor, but also to her partner. Experts recommend resting more, doing physical exercises, and walking with your loved one in the evenings. If a woman is configured to ensure that the pregnancy goes well, the result is a completely healthy baby.