When a new life grows in the belly of a mother, the whole family is in anticipation and joy. However, during this beautiful process, some mothers may encounter a less “friendly” guest – Gestinational Diabetes Mellitus, GDM. The test of “sweet” is not only about the health of the mother, but also directly affects the growth of the baby. Today we come together to understand the “sweet” challenge of pregnancy.
I. What is diabetes during pregnancy?
Imagine, the body of a pregnant mother is like a busy factory, and the baby is like a little guest, and it takes a lot of energy to grow. Insulin, a “stealer” who helps the body to convert sugar into energy, also works at the factory. At times, however, the “stealer” may become inefficient for various reasons, leading to the accumulation of sugar in factories, creating a special “sugar storm” — that is, diabetes during pregnancy.
Diabetes during pregnancy is the first occurrence of diabetes during pregnancy, usually during the middle of pregnancy (24-28 weeks). It is characterized by abnormally high levels of blood sugar, but is usually self-recovered after childbirth.
II. Causes of diabetes during pregnancy
The incidence of diabetes during pregnancy is closely related to a number of factors:
Changes in hormones during pregnancy:
The body of a pregnant mother produces special hormones during pregnancy, such as insulin resistance from placenta. These hormones are like little troublemakers, making insulin work less efficient, leading to increased blood sugar.
Genetic factors:
If a mother or family has a history of diabetes, the risk of diabetes during pregnancy increases. It’s like a “family code” that transmits sensitivity to sugar.
Weight factor:
Pregnant mothers who are overweight or obese are more vulnerable to diabetes during pregnancy. Too much fat is like a sugar warehouse, making insulin work more difficult.
Age factor:
Pregnant mothers over 35 years of age are at higher risk of diabetes during pregnancy. Age increases the metabolic function of the body, like an old machine that works less smoothly.
III. Symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy
The symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy are generally not visible and many pregnant mothers do not even feel any discomfort. At times, however, some signs may appear:
Frequent thirst:
Pregnant mothers may feel unusually thirsty and drink water. This is because the body is trying to dilute the excess sugar and maintain a balance.
Frequent urination:
Frequent toilet visits, especially at night. This is due to an increase in urine due to the efforts of the kidneys to remove extra sugar.
Tiredness:
Pregnant mothers may be extremely tired and may not recover even if they rest. This is due to unstable levels of blood sugar, which affects the supply of energy.
Skin itching:
Some pregnant mothers may feel skin itching, especially in the abdomen and legs. This is because the high blood sugar environment makes the skin dry and causes itching.
Screening and diagnosis of diabetes during pregnancy
In order to detect diabetes during pregnancy, pregnant mothers need to be screened at certain times:
Screening time:
Usually during the 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, this is a high incidence of diabetes during pregnancy.
Screening methods:
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Pregnant mothers need an empty abdomen to drink a quantity of glucose and then to test their blood sugar levels at a given point in time.
Diagnostic criteria:
According to international standards, diabetes during pregnancy is diagnosed if blood sugar levels exceed certain values.
V. Management and treatment of diabetes during pregnancy
Diabetes during pregnancy is a challenge, but through scientific management and treatment, pregnant mothers can successfully survive pregnancy and have healthy babies.
Catering:
A balanced diet: Pregnant mothers need to follow the advice of a nutritionist to ingestion appropriate quantities of carbohydrates, proteins and fat. To avoid high sugar and fat food, choice is made for whole grains, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.
A small number of meals: 5-6 meals per day to avoid one-time ingestion of excessive food, leading to blood sugar fluctuations.
Sport management:
Moderate exercise, such as walking, yoga, helps to increase insulin sensitivity and control blood sugar levels. Medium-intensity movement of 30 minutes per day is the ideal option.
Blood sugar monitoring:
Periodic testing of blood sugar: Pregnant mothers are required to monitor blood sugar every day, usually in an empty stomach, one hour after meals and two hours after meals. By recording blood sugar data, doctors are able to adjust treatment programmes in a timely manner.
Drug treatment:
Insulin injection: If diet and exercise are unable to control blood sugar, doctors may recommend insulin injection to pregnant mothers. Insulin is natural sugar hormonal and has no adverse effects on the baby.
VI. Effects of diabetes during pregnancy and prevention
Diabetes during pregnancy not only affects the health of the mother, but may also affect the baby:
Impact on mother:
Increased risk of complications during pregnancy such as hypertension, premature birth, cervix, etc.
Increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the future: Diabetes in pregnancy is higher in the future.
Impact on the baby:
Magnificent: A high blood sugar environment may lead to excessive growth of the baby and increase the risk of difficult labour and uterine sections.
Neonatal low blood sugar: The baby may have low blood sugar after birth and require special monitoring and care.
Concluding remarks
Diabetes during pregnancy is like a sudden “sweet” test, and although it poses some challenges, through scientific management and treatment, pregnant mothers can successfully survive pregnancy and have healthy babies. Understanding the causes, symptoms, screening and prevention of diabetes during pregnancy helps pregnant mothers to better cope with this test and protect their own health and that of their babies. Let us take this special “sweet” test with scientific knowledge and a positive mindset!
Combined pregnancy diabetes
