Gestational diabetes is diabetes that appears during pregnancy, and only lasts until delivery. This condition can occur at any gestational age, but usually occurs between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.
Like normal diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to control the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood during pregnancy. These conditions can be dangerous for both mother and child, but can be suppressed if handled quickly and appropriately.
Gsymptom Diabetes Gstationary
Symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy appear when blood sugar levels spike high (hyperglycemia). Among them:
- Often feel thirsty
- Increased frequency of urination
- dry mouth
- Body tired easily
- Blurred vision
Please note that not all of the above symptoms indicate gestational diabetes, because pregnant women can experience it. Therefore, talk to your doctor if you experience the above conditions.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes
It is not known exactly what causes gestational diabetes. However, this condition is thought to be related to hormonal changes during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the placenta will produce more hormones, such as the hormone estrogen, HPL (HPL).human placental lactogen), including hormones that make the body resistant to insulin, which is a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels. As a result, blood sugar levels increase and lead to gestational diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors
All pregnant women are at risk for gestational diabetes, but are more at risk for pregnant women with the following factors:
- Have excess weight.
- Have a history of high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
- Have had a miscarriage.
- Have given birth to a child weighing 4.5 kg or more.
- Have a family history of diabetes.
- Having PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or acanthosis nigricans.
Ddiagnosis Diabetes Gstationary
Doctors can suspect a patient has gestational diabetes if there are symptoms accompanied by the previously described medical history. But to be sure, the doctor can run further tests, such as:
- Initial oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In the initial OGTT, the doctor will check the patient's blood sugar level, one hour before and after being given liquid sugar. If the initial OGTT results show blood sugar levels above 130–140 mg/dL, the doctor will order a follow-up oral glucose tolerance test.
- Advanced oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In this test, the patient will be asked to fast overnight before undergoing a blood test in the morning. After the first blood is drawn, the doctor will give you sugar water with a higher sugar content than the initial OGTT. Then, blood sugar levels will be checked 3 times every hour. If 2 out of 3 tests show high blood sugar levels, the patient will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
In patients who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, doctors will recommend more routine blood tests, especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy. In the event of pregnancy complications, the doctor will check the function of the patient's placenta to ensure that the baby is receiving proper oxygen and nutrition in the womb.
The doctor will also run blood tests again after the patient gives birth and at 6-12 weeks afterward, to make sure the patient's blood sugar level is back to normal. Patients are also advised to undergo blood tests every 3 years, even though blood sugar levels have returned to normal.
Ptreatment Diabetes Gstationary
Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to control blood sugar levels and prevent complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Methods of treating gestational diabetes include:
- Inspection rate sugar bloodroutine. The doctor will recommend the patient to check the blood 4-5 times a day, especially in the morning and after each meal. Patients can do blood tests independently, use a small needle, and put blood on a blood sugar check.
- Healthy diet. Doctors will advise patients to eat lots of high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Patients are also advised to limit the consumption of sweet foods, as well as foods with high fat and calorie content.
Losing weight while pregnant is not recommended, because the body is in need of extra energy. Therefore, if you want to lose weight, do it before planning a pregnancy.
Diet patterns are also not the same in every patient. Therefore, consult with your doctor about the right diet for you.
- Sport.Exercise can stimulate the body to move sugar from the blood into the cells to be converted into energy.
Another benefit of regular exercise is that it helps reduce discomfort during pregnancy, such as back pain, muscle cramps, swelling, constipation, and difficulty sleeping.
- Drugs. If a healthy diet and exercise have not been able to lower blood sugar levels, the doctor will prescribe metformin. If metformin is ineffective or causes severe side effects, your doctor will give you insulin injections. About 10-20 percent of patients with gestational diabetes require drugs to normalize blood sugar levels.
If blood sugar levels in pregnant women remain uncontrolled or have not given birth at more than 40 weeks of gestation, doctors may choose to perform surgery caesar or induction to speed up labour.
Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of a baby being born with complications. Therefore, it is important to have regular pregnancy consultations, so that the development of the baby is monitored.
Kcomplications Diabetes Gstationary
Pregnant women with gestational diabetes can still give birth to healthy babies. But if this condition is not treated properly, some complications can occur in the baby at birth, such as:
- Excess weight at birth caused by high blood sugar levelsmacrosomia).
- Premature birth that causes the baby to have difficulty breathingrespiratory distress syndrome). This condition can also occur in babies who are born on time.
- Born with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) due to high insulin production. This condition can cause seizures in babies, but can be treated by giving him sugar intake.
- The risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes as an adult.
In addition to the baby, pregnant women also have the potential to experience complications, such as hypertension and preeclampsia, which can endanger the lives of both mother and baby. Pregnant women are also at risk of developing gestational diabetes in subsequent pregnancies, or even developing type 2 diabetes.
Pprevention Ddiabetes Gstationary
Until now, it is not known whether gestational diabetes can be prevented or not. However, there are several ways that can be done to reduce the risk of developing this disease, namely:
- Increase the consumption of healthy foods with high fiber, such as vegetables and fruits. In addition, avoid foods that contain high fat or calories.
- Exercise regularly to maintain body fitness before and during pregnancy. It is recommended to do light to moderate exercise, such as swimming, brisk walking, or cycling for at least 30 minutes per day. If that's not possible, do short but regular exercise, such as walking frequently or doing housework.
- Lose weight while planning a pregnancy by following a healthy diet permanently. This step will also provide long-term benefits, such as having a healthy heart.