Diabetes during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes, is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels that develop during pregnancy in women who didn't have diabetes before becoming pregnant. It can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby if not properly managed. However, diabetes management can help women have healthy pregnancies and babies. In this blog we help you learn about the different types of diabetes that occur during pregnancy, the percentage of women who are affected, and about the best diabetes hospital in Mumbai with best gestational diabetes doctor to address this critical health issue.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects the processes which determine the fate of final end product of food which is glucose. Diabetes is classified into three types: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is when the body's own defense system mistakenly attacks and ruins the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin is needed to help the body use sugar for energy. People with type 1 diabetes have to take insulin through injections because their bodies can't produce it naturally.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common kind. It happens when the body can't use insulin properly or doesn't make enough of it. This type is often connected to things like being very overweight and not being active. Type 2 diabetes can often be controlled by eating well, moving more, and taking medications.
During pregnancy, some women can develop a condition called gestational diabetes. This happens when the body has trouble using a hormone called insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes can cause risks for both the mother and the baby, such as high blood pressure and a bigger baby. However, most of the time, it can be controlled by eating healthy, staying active, and in some cases, taking insulin or other medicines. Consult the best diabetes doctor in Mumbai if you have been diagnosed with diabetes before.
The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased to nearly 20% in the last 10 years, which means one in every 5 women is likely to have this temporary diabetes during pregnancy. While this type of diabetes resolves after childbirth, it may have long-term consequences for both the mother and the newborn.
Doctors in the top diabetology hospital in Mumbai say that while Indian women have an 11-fold increased risk of GDM, it can be detected very easily with a simple glucose challenge test designed specifically for our population.
Having diabetes during pregnancy can affect both the mother and the baby. If blood sugar levels are too high, it can cause problems with the baby's heart, brain, and spine. Babies might be born larger than usual, leading to delivery complications. They could also have low blood sugar, calcium, and jaundice after birth. Moms with uncontrolled diabetes are at a higher risk of stillbirth.
For the mother, it can be hard to manage blood sugar levels while pregnant. Some may need insulin even if they didn't before. There's a risk of a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Furthermore, high blood sugar levels during pregnancy increase women's risk of having a cesarean delivery and babies' risk of being born too large and developing obesity or type 2 diabetes later in life according to the experts who provide top diabetology treatment in Mumbai.
Gestational diabetes is usually asymptomatic. However, some people have these symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy:
For women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it's important to see a doctor at the best diabetology hospital in Mumbai before getting pregnant. Preconception care (preventive health care before and between pregnancies) enables you to discuss changes in your blood sugar levels, make changes to your monitoring and medications, and check for and treat related health issues like high blood pressure.
Diabetes management can help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby. To manage your diabetes, see your gestational diabetes doctor on a regular basis at our top diabetology hospital in Mumbai, monitor your blood sugar levels, follow a healthy eating plan developed with your doctor or a dietician, stay physically active, and take insulin as directed (if needed). Learn more about gestational diabetes and how to manage type 1 or type 2 diabetes during pregnancy.
Women who developed gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. If you had gestational diabetes, you should see your gestational diabetes doctor 4 to 12 weeks after your baby is born to be tested for diabetes. If you do not have diabetes at that time, continue to have your blood sugar levels checked every 1 to 3 years to ensure they are within a healthy range.
At Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, we understand the importance of managing gestational diabetes for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Our expert team of the best diabetes doctors in Mumbai, nurses, and dieticians are committed to providing comprehensive care to women suffering from gestational diabetes. From diagnosis to management, we provide personalized treatment plans that are tailored to the specific needs of each patient. We also offer education and support to our patients so that they can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
