Pregnancy, a period of remarkable transformation and anticipation, can sometimes be marred by health concerns. One such worry is gestational diabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy. Understanding your risk factors and early detection can make a significant difference in managing this condition.

Assessing Your Risk

Gestational diabetes affects approximately 14.7% of pregnancies globally. Factors that increase the risk include being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, belonging to specific ethnic groups including Black, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American, and having prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be categorised as diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies and older women with other health conditions are also at an increased risk.

Screening and Diagnosis

Diagnosis usually happens between 24 and 28 weeks into the pregnancy using a glucose challenge test. If results are abnormal, a follow-up test called an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Potential Complications

If gestational diabetes is not managed effectively, it can lead to complications such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and an increased risk of caesarean sections. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes can develop low blood sugar, jaundice, and may be larger than average at birth.

Long-term Risks

Women with a history of gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Their children are also more susceptible to this condition in adulthood.

Despite these risks and potential complications, gestational diabetes can be effectively managed with dietary changes, exercise, medication if necessary, regular prenatal care, and meticulous monitoring of blood sugar levels.

Managing gestational diabetes calls for continuous support and personalised care, much like what the Apollo Super 6 programme offers. This comprehensive programme, designed to manage diabetes, emphasises improving diet, increasing physical activity and lends ongoing support, taking you a step closer to leading a healthier life.