Diabetes is a disease in which there is an excessive amount of glucose, i.e., sugar, in the blood. During pregnancy, the child growing in the womb gets all the necessary nutrition from the mother itself. In such a situation, if the mother's sugar level is high, then it can also affect the child growing inside her, although you can control the increasing blood sugar in pregnancy to a great extent with your diet.
How does gestational diabetes affect the unborn baby & how its timely diagnosis and knowledge can help you get rid of this disease? Let's know:
Hormonal changes can boost blood sugar level:
Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, the blood sugar level rises. This increases the risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women. If a pregnant woman has gestational diabetes, then due to this there can be many problems in pregnancy and it can also affect the baby.
Effects of gestational diabetes in the newborn:
High blood sugar also has an effect on the baby because the baby gets nutrition only through blood. Your baby stores extra sugar in the form of fat, which can make it bigger than normal. In such a situation the following complications may occur for the baby:
Insufficient insulin production:
Diabetes can be caused by insufficient insulin production, either because the body becomes resistant to insulin. Which only means that insulin does not work properly
What message do researchers want to convey?
Overweight women or women who have had gestational diabetes in pregnancy in the past or if someone in their family has diabetes, such women are more at risk of this disease. If it is not treated properly or the level of sugar is not kept under control, then the unborn child is at risk.
Symptoms of gestational diabetes:
Impaired Vision, | Blurred vision |
Feeling Tired | Dry Mouth |
Excessive Thirst |
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Effects of gestational diabetes on the baby:
If gestational diabetes is not treated or controlled, it can cause harm to the baby. In gestational diabetes, the pancreas has to work harder to make insulin, but insulin does not lower blood glucose levels and does not reach the placenta, glucose, and other nutrients.
Increase in the blood glucose level of the child:
Therefore, when extra blood glucose reaches the baby through the placenta, the baby's blood glucose level rises. Due to this, the pancreas of the baby starts making more insulin to remove this increased blood glucose. Since the baby is getting more energy than he needs, he starts storing this extra energy in the form of fat.
Signs of trouble in breath:
Because of this, macrosomia can occur in children. Shoulder injuries can occur at the time of birth of these babies. At the same time, due to the production of more insulin by the pancreas, the blood glucose level of the baby drops very much at birth and they may also have trouble breathing.
When is medical advice needed?
Most women do not show any signs or symptoms of gestational diabetes. However, it may cause you to feel thirsty and have frequent urination.
Crucial concern while conceiving:
Before conceiving, you should go to the doctor and get tested whether you are at risk of gestational diabetes or not. Even after becoming pregnant, keep getting tested for gestational diabetes in prenatal care.
Mandatory to have a check-up in the third trimester of pregnancy:
If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, then you should keep going for frequent check-ups. It is even more important to get a check-up done in the third trimester of pregnancy because at this time the doctor monitors your blood sugar and checks the health of the baby.
Required food items:
To control diabetes during pregnancy, you must include almonds in the diet. By eating soaked almonds, the development of the baby is good, due to which your blood sugar will also be under control.
Salad slows down the glycemic index:
You should include more salad in the food to control sugar. This slows down the glycemic index and keeps diabetes under control. You can try different types of salads.
Egg intake for omega-3 fatty acids:
Eggs contain protein, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. This gives many benefits to your health. When blood sugar increases, you must include eggs in the diet daily and diabetes is also controlled by this.
Probiotics in Yoghourt:
Pregnant women should also include curd in their diet. Yoghurt contains probiotics which help in keeping the intestines healthy.
Fibre Intake and Chia Seeds :
Consuming plenty of fibre during pregnancy helps in controlling blood sugar. Eating chia seeds helps in controlling diabetes which are rich in fibre.
1. Avoiding diabetes, people should take Vitamin-C rich foods, which Include gooseberry, lemon, orange, tomatoes, water-melon, Guava, Kiwi, & Strawberry etc.
2. Sprouted pulses, green vegetables, luffa, Turnip, Spinach, carrot, soya, fenugreek, etc. These items also maintain blood circulation in the body.
3. Do not remain hungry for a longer time period, take salad, fruits, oats, brown-bread, upma, salad, soup, and other nutritious food. Special point is to have a sharp eye on time intervals.