The results of European epidemiological studies indicate that 3-5% of pregnant women suffer from diabetes during pregnancy. expectant mothers, of which 1/10 are ladies with identified diabetes before becoming pregnant.
Pregnancy-induced diabetes is primarily favored by: age over 35, family history of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, significant weight gain in the first trimester, multiple births, and diabetes during a previous pregnancy.
Diagnosis of diabetes
Pregnancy-induced diabetes generally develops in the third trimester, so performing an oral glucose tolerance test between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy is well-founded.
Symptoms suggestive of diabetes include:
- excessive thirst
- frequent need to pass copious amounts of urine,
- increased appetite and even bouts of hunger,
- weight loss,
- secondary yeast infections of the vagina,
- high blood pressure
- dizziness,
- blurred vision, visual disturbances.
Necessary treatment
Starting treatment and diagnosing diabetes as early as possible is extremely important, because it allows you to protect both the mother and the child from dangerous health consequences.
For the mother, it is so dangerous that it can predetermine cesarean section, too early delivery, sometimes there is pre-eclampsia.
For a child, the list of risks is much longer, ranging from too much weight of the fetus in relation to the fetal age, to spina bifida or anencephaly. Moreover, malformations of the digestive system, malformation of the ureters, underdevelopment of the kidneys and underdevelopment of the sacrum are possible. There is also a risk of intrauterine death and acidosis in the unborn child.
Diabetic diet for the mother-to-be
After the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, special attention should be paid to the diet. It is recommended to eat three larger and smaller meals each day. The most, because in the range of 40-50 percent. absorbed calories should come from complex carbohydrates, such as groats, bread. If we reach for fruits and vegetables, choose those with low sugar levels. Ideally, protein should be 30%, and fats below 30%.
When determining the diet, you should take into account the moment of pregnancy, the weight and age of the mother and her activity. Beneficial effect for supporting the diet has a small physical effort, accelerating the heart rate by a maximum of 30 beats per minute. Most women with gestational diabetes do not need insulin, which is needed in 10-40% of women. I have.