Healthy Habits: Gestational Diabetes

While over 35,000 pregnant women are diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes each year in England and Wales, many feel as if the condition’s onset signals a failure to care for their own health. It’s something Dr Paul Grant experienced first-hand during his wife’s own two pregnancies and, ironically being one of the nation’s leading Consultant Diabetologists, he still felt the condition was something of a mystery.

Dr Grant is now helping women around the world come to terms and cope with what is ultimately a no-fault, manageable and successfully-curable condition – in his new book – ‘Gestational Diabetes: Your Survival Guide to Diabetes in Pregnancy’.

I had a chance to interview Dr. Grant to learn more.

How common is gestational diabetes? 
 Gestational Diabetes (GDM) is increasingly common and affects 15% of pregnancies worldwide. Up to 18 in every 100 women giving birth in England and Wales may be affected by this condition. Several famous people such as Salma Hayek, Mariah Carey and Angela Jolie have all been affected by GDM. 

Is there any link to gestational diabetes and other types of chronic diabetes? 
Yes, there is a subsequently increased risk of developing type 2 Diabetes following a pregnancy affected by GDM. There is around a 50% chance of getting type 2 Diabetes over the 10 years following a pregnancy affected by GDM. Gestational Diabetes can often act as a warning sign in order to help reduce your risk of developing full blown Diabetes later in life. GDM is also very likely to re-occur in subsequent pregnancies. 

What are the risks of gestational diabetes? 
Having a diagnosis of GDM can increase the risks associated with pregnancy. The classic example is that of growing a larger baby because of the excess glucose in your system., this may then lead to problems with delivery such as shoulder dystocia. Other complications include increased risks of miscarriage and stillbirth unfortunately. However these complications are becoming much less common when the GDM is well controlled.

If a woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, what does she need to do to help ensure a healthy baby? 
The most important thing is to understand what GDM is and how it can affect you and your baby. You should be referred in to a specialist ante-natal diabetes service soon after being diagnosed and they can explain to you about any diet and lifestyle changes that are necessary. In addition, you will have to start using a glucose meter to do some finger prick glucose testing in order to monitor your blood sugar levels. Medication may be necessary to control the sugar levels, tablets such as Metformin or injectable therapy such as insulin are often required. Taking medication is not a sign of failure or designed to make you feel guilty for being a bad mother - they are then to help your body control the sugar levels more effectively. the standard of care is to be seen in the ante-natal diabetes clinic every 2 weeks during pregnancy and be looked after by the diabetes team, specialist midwife and obstetrician.