Everything you need to know about the management and treatment of gestational diabetes

Nine months’ time period of pregnancy will bring a significant number of health concerns and stress along the way which is the main reason that regular health checkup and awareness is the only way to go through it and enjoy good health. After all, a healthy pregnancy will be a happy pregnancy and gestational diabetes is the diabetes of pregnancy which is usually characterised by the high blood sugar levels that will be developing specifically during pregnancy in the ladies who do not have diabetes before. This will typically develop during the second and third trimesters and will lead to a significant number of potential risks to the mother as well as the baby. But with effective diagnosis, management and proper healthcare support, everyone will be able to go through it very easily and efficiently remaining in touch with the doctors at women & child care hospitals will be highly recommended for ladies in this case.

During pregnancy, the placenta will produce a significant number of hormones which will usually interfere with the ability of the body to use insulin very efficiently further, this will lead to insulin resistance which will lead to high blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes will not at all develop in all of the pregnant women but eventually, significant risk factors will be there that will increase the likelihood of developing it during the pregnancy. Some of the common risk factors are:

1. Family history of diabetes: If the ladies have one parent or sibling diagnosed with diabetes then there will be a very high chance of developing these stational diabetes due to the genetic predisposition. 
2. Being overweight: Excessive weight in the body will further lead to insulin resistance which makes it very hard for the body to regulate blood sugar levels during the pregnancy and a body mass index of approximately 30 will increase the risk.
3. Previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes: If a lady has already gone through gestational diabetes in the earlier pregnancy, then she will be at a greater risk of experiencing it again in future pregnancies. 
4. PCOS: This will be linked with insulin resistance and further increase the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy 
5. Maternal age of more than 40 years: If a lady is more than 40 years then definitely, they will be more prone to insulin resistance which will make gestational diabetes more common in pregnancy after the age of 40. 

Some of the most common symptoms of gestational diabetes that you need to know as per the recommendation of the doctors at the best children’s hospitals are: 

1. Consistent increase in thirst 
2. Very frequent urination 
3. Consistent fatigue 
4. Blurry vision 
5. Dry mouth 
6. Itching in the genital area 
7. Consistent nausea 
8. Tingling sensation in the hands and legs 

It could be noted that any of these symptoms can also be commonly experienced during the pregnancy which is the main reason that routine screening and regular follow-up checkups will be very important for the consultation and discussion with the gynaecologist to find out the exact cause of the problem. Some of the basic details you need to know about the diagnosis of gestational diabetes are:

1. Glucose challenge test: This is basically the screening procedure used during the pregnancy to identify potential gestational diabetes and typically this will be conducted between the 24th and 28th week. This test will be based on drinking the glucose-rich solution followed by a blood test after one hour to measure the blood sugar level levels. Unlike the first testing, this will never require any kind of fasting beforehand which makes it very convenient for the ladies. If the blood sugar level is above the normal range, then further testing will be required in this case to confirm the diagnosis. 
2. Oral glucose tolerance test: This particular test will assess how well the body will be processing the glucose. This will determine if the body is producing enough insulin to regulate the blood sugar levels or not and further this will remain as a gold standard test in diagnosing and dealing with gestational diabetes to ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome.

Some of the basic strategies that you need to know about the management of gestational diabetes are: 

1. Proceeding with healthy diet choices: The best hospital delivery doctors will always recommend you to proceed with the choice of healthy diet choices because in this case, you should focus on complex carbohydrates like whole grains and oats, and you should include lean proteins into your diet and eat plenty of fresh fruits as well as vegetables. Further limiting the sugar and processed food items will be highly recommended to avoid blood sugar spikes. 
2. Including regular physical activity in your routine: Remaining active will be always helpful in making sure that will be able to use the insulin very effectively and pregnant ladies can easily benefit from low-impact exercises like prenatal yoga, swimming, cycling, walking and other associated things. However, consulting the healthcare provider before beginning any exercise routine is important during pregnancy to avoid any kind of complications. 
3. Medication management: In some cases, the lifestyle changes will not be enough to control the blood sugar levels which is the main reason that depending on the extent of the disease and intensity the healthcare provider will be prescribing you oral medication as well as insulin therapy to control the blood sugar levels. Any medication that will be prescribed on scientific evidence will be safe during pregnancy.
4. Going for regular prenatal checkups: Frequent checkups will be always helpful in monitoring the health and babies’ growth which is the main reason that healthcare providers will be tracking the blood sugar levels, blood pressure and fetal development to ensure that complications will be addressed very early. Pregnant women who will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes and their families should always make sure that there is no missing of any kind of appointment with the gynaecologist. 

Hence being very much aware of the above-mentioned points will be highly recommended for the ladies so that everyone will be able to manage things very well and eventually will be able to promote regular screening that further will promote the care factor and will be provide you with a very smooth and joyful pregnancy journey without any problem.