Affect of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes (also called gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM) is diabetes that affects the pregnant woman. It is the type of medical condition where the body has too much sugar or glucose in the blood like what happens in normal diabetic conditions. Most of the time, gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM is detectable at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.
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Gestational diabetes and the maternity age factor
Nearly seven out of every hundred women have Gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It is one of the most common drawbacks affecting pregnant women. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose that onsets into the body with its first detection of pregnancy. GDM affects at least 15.1% of women worldwide. It puts newborns at the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, a higher prevalence of obesity, and hyperbilirubinemia.
GDM is concerned with the early symptoms of autism and T2Dm in newborns. Most of the time, GDM takes place at the peak of age between 35-39. It starts declining after 40 and decreases at the age of 50. Furthermore, studies have shown that there is a higher prevalence of GDM in women aged 30-34 years.
Gestational Diabetes and Women Health
- Women who suffer from gestational diabetes can have a healthy baby with a healthy pregnancy.
- Most pregnant women get a test for gestational diabetes mellitus at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.
- If left untreated, GDM can cause early problems to newborns and can also lead to stillbirth.
- Gestational diabetes usually goes away by itself after the delivery. But there remains the chance of developing gestational diabetes at a later stage.
- Consult a health provider if you see an early sign of GDM. It can prevent gestational diabetes in later life. It can also heal the early symptoms of the child.
Gestational Diabetes And Problems During Pregnancy
If you ask whether GDM can cause a pregnant woman problem then the answer is yes. It can lead to various other complications, like:
- Cesarean birth (or C-section): This is the type of surgery done for delivery. It leads to the formation of cuts in the womb or belly or uterus. If you undergo C-section, there can be complications with your baby. For example, your baby may weigh more than the required amount. There can also be chances of having C-section delivery other than the cases of GDM.
- High blood pressure and preeclampsia: High blood pressure or hypertension is a medical condition. In this condition the blood forces on the walls of vessels. It creates high pressure inside the vessels carrying the blood. High BP can also create stress for your heart. Preeclampsia is another medical condition taking place during pregnancy. It is the state where blood vessels have too much pressure and one of the organs of a pregnant woman like kidney or liver gets failed. Preeclampsia also shows other underlying symptoms like protein in the urine, severe headache, and vision change. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of premature birth.
- Macrosomia: This is another medical condition affecting pregnant women. Due to this condition, newborns are born with more than 4,000 grams in weight. Weighing too much can hurt the procedure of delivering a baby or the mother. It may also increase the chances of C-sections. However, the baby is born safe and sound.
- Perinatal depression: This is the type of depression affecting pregnant women. It is detectable even after the delivery of the baby or in the first year. this is majorly the cause of having a bay and becoming responsible that sometimes women cannot bear. This type of depression is an underlying medical condition leading to sadness, and loss of interest. Perinatal depression can affect how you feel. It can also interfere with your daily routine.
- Premature birth: Premature birth takes place before the 37th week of pregnancy. In most cases, pregnant women may have a full period of pregnancy. It can range from 39-40 weeks. But, if you have underlying symptoms of Gestational diabetes mellitus, you may have complications. You may get dependent on the medicines for inducing labor pain and breaking of the water sac.
- Shoulder dystocia: Shoulder dystocia happens when the shoulder of a baby gets stuck inside the pelvis of the mother. It usually happens in cases when the baby overweighs. It can cause further injuries to both the baby and the mother. Most common injuries include fractures or damage to the brachial plexus nerves. Brachial plexus nerves are the special nerves linking the spinal cord with the neck down the arm. These nerves provide feeling, movement, and other senses in the shoulder area including arms and hands too.
- Stillbirth: Stillbirth is the name given to the death of the newborn. The baby is born after 20 weeks of pregnancy but dead.
When You Are At Risk For Gestational Diabetes?
You are to develop Gestational diabetes mellitus if you:
- are older than 25.
- do not have any physical activity and getting obese
- had macrosomia or GDM in a past pregnancy.
- possess underlying symptoms of high blood pressure or any kind of heart disease.
- have polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. This is the particular hormone that affects women’s reproductive and overall health.
- are diabetic before pregnancy.
- are born with a medical history of diabetes in your family or blood relations.
Women without any of these risk factors can also develop gestational diabetes. This is why doctors check your diabetes level in intervals of pregnancy. However, it can be controlled and treated even during pregnancy. But if you are facing underlying symptoms of GDM, you may be at risk of developing diabetes at later stages.
Useful Links:
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