Thesis Statement
Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects expectant mothers when different glucose intolerance levels are detected, especially during their first times of pregnancy.
Introduction of Gestational Diabetes
Description
Currently, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most frequent problems women experience during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes mellitus is thought to be primarily influenced by maternal dietary habits. Nineteen percent of pregnancies are affected by diabetes mellitus, which is rising due to today’s lifestyles that involve consuming large amounts of sugar and the body’s insulin resistance (Carson-DeWitt, 2017). In this instance, the body produces insufficient amounts of insulin. It uses what is created for pregnancy, leaving the body without insulin and causing the glucose level in the blood to be extremely high (hyperglycemia).
Demographics
According to studies, up to 9.2 percent of American women suffer from gestational diabetes. Ethnicity and race greatly influence the development rate of gestational diabetes (Carson-DeWitt, 2017). Gestational diabetes affects 15% of American Indian women who originate from the southwest of the United States, compared to only 1.4–2% of Caucasian women.
Causes and Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Maternal obesity
The buildup of extra body fat is called obesity. Thus, the buildup of excess body fat in pregnant women to the point where it raises the danger of adverse outcomes for both the mother and fetus is known as maternal obesity. Some of the most known risk factors include the expectant mother being pre-diabetic, not being physical or active, being from the most affected ethnic groups, having a diabetic family history, and being obese (Culvert, 2019). Other risk factors are the expectant mother having polycystic ovary syndrome, being over thirty years of age, and having previously given birth to a heavy or oversized baby, among other factors.
Complications to the unborn child and mother
From early pregnancy through delivery, overweight or obese expectant women have increased possibilities to experience obstetric difficulties that may affect them and their unborn children. Early in pregnancy, there is an increased risk of spontaneous abortion that may lead to the termination of the fetus. The unborn child may be born overweight and suffer from hypoglycemia. Obese or overweight expectant women have increased chances to experience pregnancy-associated issues like infertility, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and cesarean birth (Culvert, 2019). The fetus is also more likely to experience birth abnormalities, preterm birth, stillbirth, extra birthweight or fetal macrosomia, and childhood obesity due to the mother’s surroundings when pregnant. The unborn child may also be born with breathing difficulties and preterm births due to increased high blood sugars that may induce early labor.
Diagnosis and prevention of Gestational Diabetes
Initial glucose screening
During the second trimester, a 24-hour urine sample will be tested, and baseline liver and kidney function will also be assessed as part of the screening process for hypertensive illnesses, including preeclampsia. Blood pressure and urine protein analysis will be performed at each prenatal visit. Even though prevention is not an option, these tests will help identify the preeclampsia risk (Women’s Health Weekly, 2022). Early screening for blood glucose load using a one-hour non-fasting glucose load test at 16 weeks can help detect and monitor gestational diabetes. A three-hour glucose tolerance test is performed after receiving favorable results. If the test is negative, it will be conducted again between 24 and 28 weeks after conception.
Follow-up glucose tolerance testing
This test is similar to the first glucose testing. However, the test has an exception: your blood sugar will be monitored hourly (Women’s Health Weekly, 2022). Monitoring is enhanced every hour for three hours, and the sweet solution will contain more sugar. You will have gestational diabetes if at least two blood sugar values are higher than usual.
Prevention of Gestational Diabetes
Lifestyle Changes
Limiting highly processed carbs, especially sweets, a healthy diet emphasizes whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean proteins like foods that are high in fiber and nutrition and low calories and fats (MD, 2020). You can develop a meal plan with a trained dietitian or professional diabetes care and education specialist based on pregnancy weight gain goals, current weight, blood sugar level, workout routine, diet favorites, and spending limit.
Medication
One may require insulin doses to reduce their blood sugar if exercise and exercise are insufficient to control their blood sugar points. Fewer than half of expectant women with gestational diabetes require insulin to achieve their blood sugar targets (MD, 2020). To control blood sugar levels, some medical professionals prescribe oral medicine. Other medical professionals think further study is required to prove that oral drugs are as secure and efficient in managing gestational diabetes as insulin injections.
Conclusion
Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women whose sugar levels increase, thus, affecting the unborn baby and mother. Gestational diabetes can be controlled through diet and nutritional value. Pregnancy weight gain is frequently associated with a high diet of refined food items, bad fats, added sweets, and a poor intake of fruits and vegetables. Healthier weight status is connected with diets prioritizing plant-based eating, little or no red meat consumption, and little or no dairy. It also requires low saturated fats and no trans-fats, no added sugars, no sugar-sweetened beverages, and even little or no fruit juice. This low-calorie diet may lead to weight loss, but it will likely be slow and modest rather than drastic.
References
Carson-DeWitt, R., MD. (2017). Gestational Diabetes. In D. S. Blanchfield (Ed.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Pregnancy and Childbirth (Vol. 1, pp. 272-275).
Culvert, L. L. (2019). Maternal Obesity. In D. S. Hiam (Ed.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets (3rd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 864-870).
MD, R. C.-D., & F. H. (2020). Gestational Diabetes. In J. L. Longe (Ed.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (6th ed., Vol. 4, pp. 2231-2234).
Women’s Health Weekly. (2022). Study Findings on Gestational Diabetes Published by Researchers at Niguarda Ca Granda Hospital (The Analytical Reliability of the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for the Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes: Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=HWRC&u=lirn99076&id=GALE|A695112552&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-HWRC&asid=36fb9c29
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