Janet Ogundepo Physicians in the field of endocrinology, gynaecology and obstetrics have raised the alarm over the rising cases of gestational diabetes, warning of increased risk of complications for the pregnant mother and her unborn baby. Gestational diabetes, also referred to as pregnancy-induced diabetes, is any level of glucose intolerance or high blood sugar that begins or is first discovered during pregnancy and returns to normal after delivery. The seasoned physicians mentioned that women who were obese before pregnancy had a previous history of gestational diabetes, delivered babies weighing over four kilograms at birth or had recurrent miscarriages and stillbirths were at a higher risk of gestational diabetes.
The experts further noted that pregnant women with glucose in the urine, familial history of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance were also considered as having a high risk of gestational diabetes. In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians also stated that a sedentary lifestyle and consumption of unhealthy foods could trigger the condition. They asserted that an early diagnosis and management could reduce the complication risks for the mother and foetus.
According to the World Health Organisation, women with gestational diabetes, aside from pregnancy and delivery-related complication risks, had an increased likelihood of type 2 diabetes in the future. Diabetes, the WHO notes, is a chronic disease that happens when the pancreas does not pr.