The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Diabetes during pregnancy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Diabetes during pregnancy

Diabetes during pregnancy can be of two types, one occurs only during pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) and the other one is diabetic people becoming pregnant.

GDM is a type of diabetes that arises during pregnancy in the later half. The risk factors that can make more likely to have the gestational diabetes are

• obesity, • a family history of Type 2 diabetes

• an unexplained stillbirth or neonatal death in a previous pregnancy, and/or • a very large infant in a previous pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes comes to light during the second trimester of pregnancy. Since the baby’s major organs are fairly well developed at this stage, the risk to the baby is lower than for women with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. During antenatal checkup blood test and urine test will be done to diagnose GDM. 30% to 40% need insulin and for rest of the patients diet control is enough. 30% of people with GDM & PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) are prone to develop type II diabetes later. These people are recommended for GTT after 6 months of delivery.

Type 1 or Type 2 diabetics are at a higher risk of losing their baby or having a baby with a congenital abnormality. This is due to fluctuating blood glucose levels. Infertility patients should have their blood glucose levels in strict control before they go for medical treatment IUI or IVF. Glycosolated haemoglobin test should be done before becoming pregnant. Diabetic patients are prone to develop hypertension, so they should have regular antenatal check up and early scan to rule out birth defects.

Dr. Saleema

Dindigul Fertility and Research Centre.

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