This week is National Diabetes Week, and the team at Toowoomba Obstetrics and Gynaecology is proud to support this important event that raises awareness about diabetes and highlights the importance of early detection, prevention, and management. There are numerous types of diabetes, impacting approximately 1.5 million Australians.
At TOAG, we are passionate about supporting pregnancies and fostering the wellbeing of mother and child, and we know that gestational diabetes is a significant condition that can affect birth outcomes. We are committed to implementing effective testing and management techniques to support mothers with gestational diabetes and ensure the health of their children.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, and is experienced by 5 to 10 per cent of pregnant women. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced is not effectively used, due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. This results in high blood sugar levels.
Gestational diabetes typically occurs in the later stages of pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth; however, it is important to manage and treat the condition to prevent complications for both the mother and the baby. To effectively identify and manage this condition, gestational diabetes screening occurs at 24 weeks.
There are many factors that increase the risk of gestational diabetes development, including:
- Previous gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
- History of type 2 diabetes in the family.
- Experienced by your mother or sister.
- Being over 40 years old.
- Being overweight.
- History of high blood glucose levels.
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Consuming specific steroid or anti-psychotic medications.
- Previous childbirth of a baby over 4.5kg.
- Being a First Nations woman.
- Being of African, Chinese, Hispanic, Melanesian, Middle Eastern, Polynesian, South American, South Asian, or Southeast Asian descent.
If you have any of these risk factors, inform your healthcare provider to ensure you receive individualised support. You may receive earlier and more frequent testing.
Symptoms
Gestational diabetes often does not cause noticeable symptoms, which is why screening tests are routinely performed during pregnancy to detect this condition. However, in some cases, women with the condition may experience the following mild symptoms:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Increased hunger
- Yeast infections
- Weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
It’s important to note that these symptoms are not exclusive to gestational diabetes and can also occur during a normal pregnancy. The only way to confirm a diagnosis is through proper screening tests, such as the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or a urine test.
If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms, it is crucial to consult with your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and screening.
Management of Gestational Diabetes
If you are diagnosed with the condition, your healthcare team will provide guidance as to managing the condition for optimal birth outcomes.
Management firstly involves blood glucose level monitoring, and a health professional will teach you how to self-monitor. From this monitoring, it will be decided if lifestyle changes are effective to manage your condition, or if medical intervention is required.
Lifestyle changes include eating a healthy diet, consuming foods rich in calcium, folic acid and iron, and eating carbohydrates in each meal. Saturated fat, processed foods, and sugary food should be reduced in quantity. Lifestyle management techniques also include regular physical activity suitable for pregnancy, such as walking.
Should lifestyle changes be ineffective for managing insulin levels, insulin injections may be utilised until childbirth, and a healthcare professional will provide guidance here. Insulin injections are safe for pregnant women and their babies.
What Happens if the condition is not Tested or Treated?
If you do not receive gestational diabetes testing, you may be experiencing this condition without knowing, as there are normally no noticeable symptoms associated. Gestational diabetes is a serious condition if left untreated, and numerous complications for both the mother and the baby may result.
Women with untreated gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of certain birth complications. Premature births may result, with women delivering their babies before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm birth can increase the baby's risk of various health issues and complications. Risks of stillbirth – where the baby passes away shortly before or after pregnancy – are also increased with untreated gestational diabetes. Macrosomia, where the baby is larger than average, may also result, in increasing the risk of birth injuries and complications during delivery.
Babies born to mothers with untreated gestational diabetes may experience hypoglycaemia – low blood sugar levels – shortly after birth. This is because they have been exposed to high levels of glucose in the womb and their bodies continue to produce high levels of insulin after birth. Hypoglycaemia can cause seizures, but prompt feeding and treatment can help manage this condition. Respiratory distress syndrome risks are also increased, meaning babies may experience serious breathing difficulties.
Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of mothers developing preeclampsia, a condition characterised by high blood pressure and organ damage. Preeclampsia can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby if left untreated.
Women with the condition are also at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life; this happens for half of women with gestational diabetes. They also have a higher risk of gestational diabetes recurrence in subsequent pregnancies.
In terms of long-term risks for babies born to mothers with untreated gestational diabetes, babies have an increased risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
It's a serious condition, and it is crucial to undergo proper screening during pregnancy, and follow recommended treatment and management strategies if diagnosed, for the health of yourself and your baby. Toowoomba Obstetrics and Gynaecology provides valuable screening services to reduce birth-related risks and complications, and foster well-being. For more information about gestational diabetes and pregnancy screening, contact the compassionate team at TOAG for support.