Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition when high blood sugar develops in pregnancy and typically goes away after delivery is also known as gestational diabetes. It typically occurs between the 24th week and 28th week of pregnancy. Due to genetic predisposition, eating patterns, increasing obesity rates and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the pregnancy sugar level is constantly rising in Indian women, making them more prone to develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

If left untreated, it can lead to major complications for the mother and the child. For this reason, a healthy pregnancy depends on early screening, prompt diagnosis, and efficient treatment of gestational diabetes.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy-related hormonal changes are a major cause of gestational diabetes because they can disrupt the action of insulin and lead to insulin resistance. Insulin helps to move glucose from the blood into cells. However, pregnancy sugar levels increase when insulin doesn’t work effectively.
• Major risk factors for gestational diabetes: Obesity or being overweight, family history of diabetes, previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes, PCOS and pregnancy age above 30 years.
• Ethnic background: In South Asia, including pregnant women from India, sugar in pregnancy is a symptom of a high risk of developing diabetes.

Understanding gestational diabetes risk factors helps in determining which women require early screening and preventive measures.

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

In most cases, gestational diabetes symptoms are moderate or asymptomatic, making routine screening even more important. However, some women notice certain signs of diabetes in pregnancy. These are as follows-

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Sugar in urine

Even though these early symptoms of diabetes in pregnancy could be confused with normal pregnancy discomfort, women with high-risk pregnancies should pay attention to them.

Diagnosing and Screening

The glucose tolerance test in pregnancy is typically conducted to women between the 24th week and the 28th week of pregnancy. Your doctor might conduct early screening if you are at a high risk.

Steps to the blood sugar test in pregnancy

1. Fasting glucose level is checked.
2. Then, pregnant women are given a glucose solution to drink.
3. Regular blood draws are performed to track your body’s sugar metabolism.
4. The diagnosis is supported by the results, which show a normal glucose level. This simple gestational diabetes test plays a vital role in early intervention and detection.

Health Risks for mother and baby

Gestational diabetes during pregnancy can affect both the mother and baby if not treated properly.

For mother

• Increased risk of cesarean delivery
• Increased chances of preeclampsia
• Risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the long term

For baby

• Macrosomia (baby is larger than normal)
• Low blood sugar after birth
• Breathing issues
• Lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes and childhood obesity

These severe gestational diabetes complications emphasise the importance of blood sugar control in pregnancy to ensure baby’s health in gestational diabetes

These serious gestational diabetes complications emphasise the importance of blood sugar control in pregnancy.

Managing gestational diabetes

Are you worried about how to manage diabetes in pregnancy? Fortunately, most women can manage diabetes throughout pregnancy with lifestyle modifications and the help of their healthcare team.

Effective ways to control gestational diabetes include:

• A balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, and fibre is one of the most effective strategies to manage gestational diabetes.
• Frequent exercise, such as yoga during pregnancy or walking
• Using a glucometer to measure blood glucose levels
• Insulin or medication may be needed in certain situations.

Combining all these strategies is critical to a successful gestational diabetes treatment plan.

How Trimacare help during gestational diabetes?

Finding a safe multivitamin for gestational diabetes is a concern for many pregnant women. Here’s where Trimacare can help. Specially designed to meet the needs of Indian mother, Trimacare for gestational diabetes provided targeted nutrition without affecting the pregnancy sugar level.

Trimacare pregnancy supplement include-

• Low-GI (Glycaemic Index) foods that support blood sugar regulation.
• Magnesium and chromium to increase insulin sensitivity.
• DHA is safe for diabetic pregnancies and essential for the development of the foetal brain.
• Iron and B-complex balance to lessen fatigue without causing blood sugar increases.

What Trimacare pregnancy supplement includes?

• The low GI (Glycaemic Index) ingredients in Trimacare pregnancy supplements help to stabilise blood sugar levels.
• Magnesium and chromium to increase insulin sensitivity
• DHA is safe for diabetic pregnancies and essential for the development of the foetal brain.
• Iron and B-complex balance to lessen fatigue without causing blood sugar increases.
• Trimacare also contain ‘sunshine vitamin’ Vitamin D that helps to lower chances of gestational diabetes.

For high-risk and diabetic pregnancies, Trimacare is recommended as the best pregnancy supplement for gestational diabetes. If you are looking for a trusted supplement, Trimacare is the most trusted pregnancy supplement for diabetes in pregnancy, recommended by leading gynaecologists in India.

Lifestyle Tips for Women with GD

Living a healthy lifestyle is essential for women with gestational diabetes (GD) to manage blood sugar levels and have a safe pregnancy. This includes managing stress, maintaining a healthy diet with limited portion of carbohydrates and indulging in regular exercise. Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly, as recommended by a doctor, is important.

• Prioritise eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; place special emphasis on fibre; and minimise processed meals and sugar-filled beverages.
• Limit your intake of carbohydrates.
• Develop a meal plan that strikes a balance between the consumption of carbohydrates and other nutrients by consulting with a doctor.
• Eat frequently: Avoid missing meals or going too long without eating, as this might cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and pay attention to portion sizes, particularly for carbohydrates.
• Hydration: To support blood sugar regulation and general health, drink lots of water.

Adopting these lifestyle habits can make a big impact in managing diabetes in pregnancy complications.

Post-pregnancy care

Your pregnancy journey. Postpartum care is essential to preventing problems and ensuring that blood sugar levels return to normal after pregnancy.

The following are post-delivery actions:

• For the first few weeks following birth, keep an eye on your blood sugar levels.
• Breastfeeding – helps control blood sugar
• 6–12 weeks after delivery, get a glucose tolerance test.
• Yearly screenings for Type 2 diabetes

This reduces the chance that postpartum gestational diabetes will develop into long-term diabetes.

Conclusion-

Gestational diabetes during pregnancy might be overwhelming, but with the proper care, it is entirely manageable. A healthy lifestyle, safe supplements such as Trimacare for gestational diabetes, early diagnosis, and continuous monitoring can help prevent serious diabetes in pregnancy complications.

Whether you are searching for a trustworthy pregnancy diabetes treatment, advice on how to manage diabetes in pregnancy, or an Indian meal plan for gestational diabetes, being proactive and aware ensures the best results for mother and child.

FAQs

1. What is the primary cause of gestational diabetes in pregnant women?

Insulin resistance is brought on by hormonal changes, particularly during the second and third trimesters.

2. Can women with gestational diabetes safely use Trimacare?

With ingredients that promote stable blood sugar levels, it is among the safest multivitamins for diabetic pregnant women.

3. Does postpartum gestational diabetes disappear?

Generally speaking, yes. To keep an eye on long-term risks, routine postpartum screening is essential.

4. How can I adhere to an Indian diet for gestational diabetes?

Avoid foods high in sugar, eat whole grains, and watch portion sizes. Add Indian alternatives that are heavy in protein and fibre.