Gestational diabetes endangers the health and life of the mother-fetus, due to the increase in blood sugar levels. This pathology only occurs in pregnancy, however, not all women develop it. Since, there are risk factors; like obesity; that increase predisposition, causing more serious discomfort.
This metabolic alteration is characterized by intolerance to carbohydrates, which leads to hyperglycemia. With undesirable outcomes for the fetus, such as fetal microsomy, cesarean delivery, or neonatal death. In the same way, the mother can present problems of hypertension, preeclampsia and pathologies associated with diabetes.1
Avoiding maternal-fetal complications
The hormonal changes present in pregnancy affect glycoregulation, increasing blood sugar levels. Which puts fetal development at risk. Furthermore, when the woman in labor has a genetic predisposition to diabetes, she belongs to a high-risk ethnic group; Like the Latino, you have previously had high blood pressure problems, are overweight or suffer from a polycystic ovary.2
Thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, tremors, weakness, increased urination, and proliferation of infections. They are part of the symptoms that can appear around week 24 to 28. However, in most cases there are no indicators and it is detected in routine prenatal medical examinations.
A blood test to measure glucose levels may be sufficient to diagnose gestational diabetes. But the doctor may also recommend oral glucose tolerance or overload tests jointly or individually. To weigh how the monosaccharide load affects the body.
Among the consequences of gestational diabetes we have: a baby that is too large, which leads to problems in childbirth for both the mother and the fetus. Increased risk of bringing a child with a predisposition to type 2 diabetes mellitus into the world. It makes a cesarean delivery possible, making the recovery process longer. Increases blood pressure, carrying the risk of cardiovascular accidents.3
Family planning should be included among the tactics to prevent gestational diabetes problems. Especially when the woman presents associative risk factors. In such a way, that, in the hands of the health professional, an adequate treatment is structured to keep sugar levels, weight and other pathologies that disrupt a healthy pregnancy at bay.
Prenatal control is essential to bring healthy children to the world. Even more so when there is some genetic predisposition. Because through periodic visits to the health professional, a nutritional and exercise plan is established, which are accompanied by diagnostic tests. So that the mother-fetus health status is monitored. Reducing the risk of infections, adjacent morbidities and obstetric and pediatric problems, in a short time.
A healthy lifestyle, free of smoke, alcohol, junk food, sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, poor sleeping habits and uncontrollable worries. They become observations that should be used, not only during pregnancy, but also every day in the midst of everyday life. In such a way that we can take care of the functioning of our physical field, in the same way that we protect mental health.
References:
- Vigil-De Gracia P, Olmedo J. Gestational diabetes: current concepts. Ginecol. obstet. Mex. [revista en la Internet]. 2017. [citado 2021 Abr 09]; 85 (6): 380-390. Available in: http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0300-90412017000600380&lng=es.
- Márquez Guillén Antonio, Lang Prieto Jacinto, Valdés Amador Lemay, Cruz Hernández Jeddú, Guerrero Rodríguez Ederlis. Prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Rev. Cubana Endocrinol [Internet]. Apr 2011 [citado 2021 Abr 09]; 22 (1): 58-60. Available in:
http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1561-29532011000100011&lng=es.
- José Henry Osorio O. Pregnancy and carbohydrate metabolism. Rev. Colom. From Obste. And Ginec. [internet] 2003 [consultado abril 09 2021]; 54 (2): 97-102. Available in: http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/rcog/v54n2/v54n2a04.pdf.