Gestational diabetes: what it is, treatment and risks

Gestational diabetes usually develops around the 3rd trimester of pregnancy due to insulin resistance caused by the hormones of pregnancy. This type of diabetes usually disappears after delivery and rarely causes symptoms, although in some cases, blurred vision and thirst may occur.

Its treatment should be started during pregnancy with an adequate diet or with the use of medications, such as oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin, depending on the blood sugar values.

Gestational diabetes is almost always curable after delivery, however, it is important to correctly follow the treatment proposed by the doctor, as there is a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in about 10 to 20 years and also of suffering from it. gestational diabetes in another pregnancy.

How the treatment is done

Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to promote the health of the mother and baby, avoiding complications such as low weight for gestational age and respiratory and metabolic disorders, for example. It is important that treatment is done under the guidance of a nutritionist, obstetrician and endocrinologist so that glycemic control is effective.

Treatment for gestational diabetes should be made through a change in eating habits and physical activity so that blood glucose levels are controlled:

1. Food in gestational diabetes

Diet in gestational diabetes should be guided by a nutritionist so that there are no nutritional deficiencies for the mother or baby. Therefore, it is recommended that the pregnant woman eat foods with a low glycemic index, such as unpeeled fruits, as well as reducing the amount of sugar and simple carbohydrates in the diet.

It is recommended to give preference to foods that are low in carbohydrates or that have complex carbohydrates, which are those that have a low glycemic index due to the high amount of fiber they have. Thus, it may be recommended that pregnant women consume whole grains, meat, fish, oilseeds, milk and derivatives and seeds. See more about diet in gestational diabetes.

It is important that blood glucose is measured on an empty stomach and after main meals, as it is possible for both pregnant women and the doctor to be able to control blood glucose levels, and according to glucose levels, the nutritionist can change the eating plan.

Also check out the following video for more information on diet for gestational diabetes:

2. Practice of exercises

Exercises are important to promote the pregnant woman's health and keep the circulating glucose levels balanced. The practice of pregnancy exercises is safe when factors that could endanger the life of the mother or baby are not identified. Therefore, it is important that the exercises start after medical authorization and that they are done under the guidance of a physical education professional.

The practice of exercise by pregnant women with gestational diabetes promotes a decrease in the amount of glucose fasting and after meals, without the need to use insulin to control circulating glucose levels.

Despite being considered safe, pregnant women need to be careful before, during and after exercise, such as eating something before exercise, drinking water before, during and after activity, paying attention to the intensity of exercise and paying attention to the appearance of any sign or symptom that is indicative of interruption of exercise, such as vaginal bleeding, uterine contractions, loss of amniotic fluid, muscle weakness and difficulty breathing before exercise.

3. Use of medicines

The use of medicines is usually indicated when diabetes is uncontrolled and high blood glucose levels represent a great risk for the pregnant woman and her baby, and when glucose levels do not regularize even with changes in eating habits and exercise in a way regular.

Thus, the doctor may recommend the use of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin, which should be recommended by the doctor and used according to his / her guidance. It is important that the woman take the blood glucose measurement daily and at the periods indicated by the doctor in order to check if the treatment is being effective.

How to identify gestational diabetes

Symptoms of gestational diabetes are often confused with the common changes of pregnancy, which may include excessive hunger, great hunger, weight gain, increased urge to urinate, excessive tiredness, swelling in the legs and feet, blurred vision and frequent urinary infections. Learn to recognize the symptoms of gestational diabetes.

As these symptoms are common in pregnancy, the doctor must order the glucose test at least 3 times during pregnancy, being usually the first test performed in the 20th week of pregnancy. To confirm the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, the doctor usually recommends performing the glycemic curve test to check glucose levels over time. Understand how the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made.

Possible complications

The complications of gestational diabetes can affect the pregnant woman or the baby, which can be:

Risks for pregnant	Risks for the baby
Breaking of the aminotic pouch before the expected date	Development of respiratory distress syndrome, which is the difficulty in breathing at birth
Premature birth	Baby too big for gestational age, which increases the risk of obesity in childhood or adolescence
Fetus that does not turn upside down before delivery	Heart diseases
Increased risk of pre-eclampsia, which is a sudden increase in blood pressure	Jaundice
Possibility of cesarean delivery or laceration of the perineum during normal delivery due to the size of the baby	Hypoglycemia after birth

These risks can be reduced if the woman follows the treatment correctly, therefore, the pregnant woman with gestational diabetes must be followed up in high-risk prenatal care.

How to avoid gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes cannot always be prevented because it is related to hormonal changes typical of pregnancy, however, the risk of developing gestational diabetes can be reduced by:

• Be at the ideal weight before becoming pregnant; Do prenatal care; Increase weight slowly and gradually; Eat healthily and Practice moderate exercise.

Gestational diabetes can arise in pregnant women over 25 years old, obese or when the pregnant woman has an intolerance to sugars. However, it can also develop in younger women or women of normal weight due to hormonal changes.