Diabetes During Pregnancy: Do you know that if you have diabetes during pregnancy, then later on your child’s risk of obesity increases by 52%. This figure has come out in a study published in the scientific journal Public Library of Science (PLOS). At the same time, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, the risk of type-2 diabetes increases by 40% in these children in the future.
Effects of gestational diabetes on the child
Diabetes occurring during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. Even if you were never diabetic before and your blood sugar level increased only during pregnancy, now your child has a higher risk of this disease than other children. Let’s know what effect gestational diabetes has on children-
Child also gets sugar
Gestational diabetes increases obesity in children. Actually, due to the increase in the sugar level in the mother’s blood, the child gets more sugar than required in the womb. Due to this, their body learns to store it before birth. This has a direct effect on the child’s brain, metabolism and weight. Gestational diabetes puts children at risk of type-2 diabetes.
Symptoms of gestational diabetes
- Feel thirsty frequently.
- Feel the need to urinate frequently.
- Feel tired without exertion.
- Blurred vision.
- Repeated urine and skin infections.
How to avoid gestational diabetes-
The main cause of gestational diabetes during pregnancy is hormonal changes. Therefore, it is difficult to avoid it, but if planning is started before conceiving, its risk can be reduced.
Check your blood sugar level about 6 months before pregnancy. Also get your morning fasting insulin tested.
- Take a healthy and balanced diet and avoid sweets and fried food.
- Exercise regularly- do light walking and yoga.
- Monitor blood sugar- Check your blood sugar level at home every day.
- Take insulin if needed- In some conditions, the doctor may suggest insulin.