Gestational Diabetes Challenge Today

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the appearance of diabetes during gestation, is one of the most common medical conditions in pregnancy.  This is because, when you’re pregnant, your cells become slightly more resistant to insulin which causes your blood sugar to increase.  It is also becoming more prevalent, in parallel with the increasing rates of older women becoming pregnant and an increased likelihood of maternal obesity and inactivity. 

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Obviously, the prevention or early detection of GDM is highly beneficial for both mother and child and proactive screening for this condition should be performed by either an endocrinologist or gynaecologist. If you are pregnant,however,  you should take preventative steps such as following a healthy lifestyle from the early stages of your pregnancy, including regular exercise in your daily routine if you are able, a diet which is low in fat and excessive levels of carbohydrates, and stopping smoking. These will help minimise your chances of developing GDM.
 

After birth, you should follow a similar healthy routine which will not only allow you to fit back into your pre-pregnancy clothes a bit faster but minimise your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes later.
 

Dr Davide Mineo

MD, PhD, MSc (Italy); Diabetes Fellowship (USA)

Specialist Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases

Mediclinic Dubai Mall, Dubai-UAE