The Gestational diabetes has become one of the most common pathologies in pregnant women, which is why specialists intentionally look for it to prevent it and provide an adequate diagnosis. We tell you more about the subject and how you can deal with it if you already suffer from it.
Understanding Gestational diabetes?
It occurs in the second or third trimester of pregnancy even when it has not been suffered before. It has become a common condition because the hormones of pregnancy cause insulin resistance, added to this are risk factors such as obesity, high genetic load for diabetes, age, or poor diet. Poor carbohydrate management triggers high blood glucose levels and has specific complications in pregnancy such as preeclampsia, diabetes after pregnancy, and risk of diabetes to the baby at some stage of her life, among others.
This pathology generally does not cause symptoms, so the medical history and risk factors that can be identified will be essential for a specialist to determine the risk of suffering from it. Sometimes the diagnosis of this disease is intentionally sought to start treatment on time and avoid complications.
Recommendations to face it
We know how difficult a diagnosis of Gestational diabetes can be for a pregnant woman, as there are a few other emotional and physical changes that come along with it. Thinking about everything that this disease implies can bring uncertainty, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, there is no greater risk. A recommendation to deal with this pathology is to resort to professional emotional support and go to constant check-ups with a specialist.
Being aware of food, maintaining physical activity and controlling glucose levels is also a recommendation that will allow you to maintain calm, and reduce stress and worry about caring for the baby. Emotional support networks are essential in case there are times when anxiety cannot be dealt with. Likewise, a vital reminder is that gestational diabetes is not forever if proper controls are maintained.
Diagnosis
Taking care of Gestational diabetes on time and giving a timely diagnosis avoids complications. One of the ways to do this is to give the patient a fasting glucose load and one or two hours later to take blood samples so that the glucose tolerance curve can be observed. As for the treatment, in most cases, only diet and exercise are recommended, in very few it is necessary to apply insulin or some other medication.
Once the baby is born, lifelong monitoring at least once a year is essential to ensure that it does not develop diabetes. It is important to mention that everything that affects the embryo in the uterus will have repercussions on its adolescent or adult life.
If you are pregnant and notice any symptoms or just want to be sure that your pregnancy is on the right track, come to us. Our maternal-fetal specialist is an expert on the subject and will be delighted to receive you with quality care. Contact us and schedule your appointment.
English 
Spanish