Gestational Diabetes is an increase of glucose in the blood during pregnancy; this is when a pregnant woman’s body is not producing enough insulin, a hormone that helps the cells to get energy for the body’s blood sugar. It is fairly common in the Philippines because Filipinos are lovers of carbohydrates, more particularly – rice. We also love sodas, fruit shakes, fruit juices, deserts, pasta and more, so this is one thing. Gestational Diabetes is influenced by poor diet of an expecting mom. Another reason behind why a woman is at risk to gestational diabetes is having a polycystic ovary or ovaries due to insulin resistance before pregnancy. Sometimes, this is also hereditary. Why am I talking about this today? Because not everyone have enough knowledge on what really gestational diabetes is, what are the causes, complications involved hence there is also no awareness on how this should be managed to secure an expecting mom’s safety and the welfare of the unborn child.
Causes were discussed above, now let us talk about the risks when gestational diabetes is left untreated or mismanaged.
Increased weight for the unborn child which can probably cause injury during delivery because of their size.
Hypoglycemia or LOW blood sugar when they are born.
Jaundice, although this is treatable, it makes the baby’s skin color yellowish.
Pre-term birth.
Respiratory distress even if the baby is born full term.
Greater chance for the baby to have type II Diabetes in the future.
There are some common symptoms that is quite noticeable when Gestational Diabetes is starting to kick in
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Excessive urination
Hunger and Cravings for foods high in artificial sugar and carbohydrates
It doesn’t mean that when you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will have diabetes forever. It (hopefully) goes away after giving birth when the production of a woman’s body hormones go back to normal. Now while pregnant it is best to take precautions and extra care to ensure the safety of the unborn child.
Gestational Diabetes MUST be controlled and be well monitored. Tests are being done to confirm the situation, laboratory tests are being done such as Fasting Blood Sugar; blood is being drawn after 8 hours of fasting, the normal level should be below 90mg/dL, HB1AC; blood is drawn anytime of the day and this measures the past 3 months average sugar level of a person, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test where in blood is drawn at fasting and 1 and 2 hours after drinking a 75grams or 100 grams glucose drink, and Oral Glucose Challenge Test wherein blood is drawn anytime of the day after drinking 50grams of glucose drink.
Here are the treatments being done to avoid further complications.
Strict Diet and Exercise. Less carbohydrates, less sweets, no artificial sugar and starchy fruits. One must up her protein intake by eating more of boiled egg whites, chicken breast, lean meat, beans and nuts. High fiber diet is also necessary. Some doctors advice to take fiber drink or fiber in capsule form to help in blood sugar control as well as constipation.
Metformin oral medicine as prescribed by an endocrinologist or insulin shots if gestational diabetes cannot simply be controlled with diet and exercise. Metformin can only be prescribed to women who have taken metformin before pregnancy, for those who did not, insulin is the only option. Dependency to Insulin during pregnancy “may” also cause hypoglycemia to the child at delivery.
Maternal health should be one’s priority during pregnancy. Everybody wants a healthy child at birth, let us spread awareness and save lives. Sweets and carbs are everywhere and we can always dig in after after we safely deliver a healthy baby. This is not a simple pregnancy issue, take charge of your body as you grow life inside you.
Let us all be thankful to the Lord for the knowledge He have blessed us all to be informed and understand what this health issue is about. Never cease to pray and thank God for saving us and being with us all throughout our daily lives. This awareness I just one of His ways of giving us enlightenment about ## LIFE.
Thank you 
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