Top News

Pregnancy Diabetes: Pregnancy is a very pleasant feeling for every woman. While the mother prays day and night for the safety of the child, the family members are also waiting for the little guest. But, let us tell you that many hormonal changes take place in the body during pregnancy. For this reason, the problem of increased blood sugar appears for the first time in some women, which is called gestational diabetes. The special thing is that many times its obvious symptoms are not visible and the woman comes to know about it only during routine check-up. In such a situation, the question is that after how many days or weeks is diabetes detected during pregnancy and what danger can it pose to the mother and child? Let us know the important things as per the doctor’s advice.

Important tests are done at 24 to 26 weeks

According to Dr. Meera Pathak, gestational diabetes usually appears around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy, i.e. around the sixth-seventh month. The main reason for this is some hormones released from the placenta, which can make the body cells less sensitive to insulin. Due to this the blood sugar starts increasing. However, not every woman should wait till this time. It is important to get blood sugar checked for the first time during antenatal checkup with the advice of a doctor. Especially in high risk women, monitoring is needed from the beginning.

Which women are at greater risk?

Women who are overweight, above 35 years of age, have a family history of diabetes, have high blood pressure during pregnancy or have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, should take special precautions. Apart from this, miscarriage in the first pregnancy, death of the child in the womb or birth of a child weighing more than four kg can also be reasons for increasing the risk. For such women, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may be important between 24-26 weeks.

Negligence affects both mother and child.

If blood sugar continuously increases, the mother may be at increased risk of problems like frequent infections, excess amniotic fluid and premature delivery. At the same time, the child’s weight may increase excessively. After birth, the risk of low blood sugar and jaundice may also increase in such children.

Caution necessary against hidden sugar in diet

To prevent gestational diabetes, it is important to have a balanced diet and be active. Nutritious foods like vegetables, salad, pulses, curd, cheese and eggs can be included in the diet. It is better to stay away from hidden sugar present in things like packaged fruit juice, flavored milk-curd, biscuits, rusks, cakes, muffins and sweet packaged drinks.

‘Eating for two’ is not necessary

During pregnancy, it is not right to believe that it is necessary to eat as much as two people. It is more important to take nutrition as per need. Light walk or pregnancy yoga can be done as per doctor’s advice. Walking for 10-15 minutes after every meal can also be helpful.