Five facts you should know about gestational diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in Israel, and even in connection with pregnancy and childbirth, there has been an increase in the percentage of women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. In honor of World Diabetes Day, Director of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department, Prof. Rinat Gabbay Ben-Ziv, notes five facts to know about the disease.

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in Israel, and even in connection with pregnancy and childbirth, there has been an increase in the percentage of women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. In honor of World Diabetes Day in November, Prof. Rinat Gabbay Ben-Ziv, Director of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, notes five facts to know about gestational diabetes.

1. Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels. The main hormone related to controlling blood sugar is called insulin. This hormone is excreted by the pancreas and its job is to help reduce blood sugar levels, particularly after a meal, by transferring it to body cells so that they can use the sugar to produce energy.

2. Gestational diabetes is very similar to type 2 diabetes. In other words, it is characterized by a high blood sugar level that appears during pregnancy (generally after Week 20 of pregnancy), but as opposed to type 2 diabetes, it resolves after childbirth. During pregnancy, the placenta excretes anti-insulin materials and, therefore, women who have a genetic tendency (who have a father or mother with type 2 diabetes) or who are obese, have a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy and type 2 diabetes later in life.

3. Over the years, the percentage of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes has risen consistently and is currently at 4%-10%, particularly in light of the older age of pregnant women as well as an increase in obesity in the population.

4. The high blood sugar levels increase the rate of complications, both for the mother and the fetus - in the short term (during pregnancy and childbirth) and throughout their lives. A fetus that senses high sugar levels excretes excess insulin for itself, which functions as growth hormone and leads to excessive fetal growth and to metabolic disorders with long-term effects. Women with gestational diabetes are at greater risk of pre-eclampsia toxemia, difficult delivery or C-section due to excessive birth weight. With uncontrolled pregestational diabetes, there is also an increased risk of congenital disorders, particularly heart and neurological defects and even intrauterine fetal death.

5. Treatment and control of blood sugar levels help reduce the risk of complications. Individualized dietary changes by a dietitian in addition to a healthy lifestyle and exercise, can help control blood sugar levels. If the blood sugar curve remains uncontrolled, consult your doctor about including medication therapy.

In short, pregnancy is a significant risk factor for developing diabetes later in life. Treatment and control of blood sugar levels can significantly reduce the rate of complications. It is advisable for all women who experienced gestational diabetes to take a 75 g glucose tolerance test about six weeks after giving birth and to make sure to lead a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly.