Pregnancy and Diabetes

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Pregnancy and Diabetes ::

Diabetes occurring in pregnant women, usually in late pregnancy is called Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). It is due to the hormones produced by placenta during pregnancy which block the action of the mother’s insulin resulting in high blood sugar levels. It affects about 4% of all pregnant women. A well planned meal (in Type A1 GDM), regular physical activity; blood glucose testing and insulin injections (in Type A2 GDM) can take care of both mother and the baby.

Often women are asymptomatic and may exhibit symptoms similar to that of type2 diabetes. Hence, screening glucose challenge test must be done between 26-28 weeks to identify it. However, it resolves after pregnancy but it may return in future in some cases. If fasting blood glucose or random blood glucose test plasma glucose level is >126 mg/dl or when random plasma glucose >200 mg/dl is confirmed on the next day then risk of developing GDM is likely.

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