What is GDM (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)?

GDM is a health condition where in pregnant women during their second or third trimester started to develop diabetes.The rise of blood sugar level that can cause some discomfort to pregnant women.

• UTI (urinary tract infection), vaginal infection or yeast infection

• Frequent urination (sometimes hard to handle because it becomes uncontrollable)

• Fatigue (easily gets tired and days always seem to restless)

• Blurry Vision (unlike the usual 20/20 vision,sight get affected by the spike of blood sugar level, usually become nearsighted)

• Unusual thirst (most of the time feels dryness in the throat looking for water even in the middle of the night)

This are just some of the discomfort encountered by GDM momma's.

When and How GDM is traced.

Pregnant womens commonly visit their OBs or gynecologist every month to see how the baby develop and part of it is monitor the health of the mother as well.Urine and blood test is usually done.If the result of urinalysis shows increase of sugar level specially during the midterm or second trimester the OB will request for another laboratory test which is the OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) to see how pregnant's body would react after taking a 75-100ml of glucose syrup.That could conclude if the mother is really having GDM.

That is for first timers, because if you are diagnosed with GDM during your previous pregnancy your doctor will request for OGTT at an early stage of your pregnancy.

OGTT is done after 8 hours of fasting (meaning you re not allowed to eat or drink anything 8hours before the first suction of blood and you normal fasting glucose level should be lower than 95mg/dL or 5.3mmol/L) After that medtechs will ask you to drink the glucose and let you rest for an hour.(Arghh this sucks because drinking an 100ml glucose syrup with an empty stomach can almost make you vomit).After an hour another blood suction to test how your sugar level is going.(normal.level should be lower than 180mg/dL or 10mmol/L).Then you will be asked to rest again and after an hour another suction of blood to see how is it going.(normal glucose level should be lower than 155mg/dL or 8.6mmol/L) (Oh this is really insane,3times of blood suction that hurts specially if they can't get the right nerve in the first attempt outchy).

Is GDM curable.

Studies shows that GDM(Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)occurs during pregnancy and vanish after the mother gave birth however in some cases mother's with GDM can possibly develop type 2 diabetes 6-10 years after giving birth.So it takes a lot of discipline in terms of food intake.There are lots of do's and dont's.

Our body is built with natural insulin that regulates our blood sugar level but if this insulin failed to do its job doctors would recommend the pregnant mothers to take medicines(synthetic or formulated insulin).Well they highly recommend insulin injection instead of taking a pill because this might affect the kidney.Regular monitoring of sugar level is required.Glucometer is a must have then.

You need to do fasting everyday.Testing your sugar level is your first thing in the morning.The antbite pain of needle needed to be endured everyday.

Food Intake

• Eat plenty of Whole fruits and vegetables

• Lean mean and protein consumption in moderation

• Wheat bread, cereals and rice in moderation,

• Avoid sugar or glucose based foods such as sweets and sodas

It is best to follow dietitian advice.

How does it affect the development of the baby and the delivery?

GDM babies are bigger than non-GDM.They usually reach 8-10lbs which really affect the delivery.Mothers with GDM can experience preeclampsia (sudden spike of blood pressure),reason why mostly undergo C-section delivery. Healing period is longer too.

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Why did I come to this article?

I am a GDM momma and I struggled a lot during my pregnancy specially to my second born,I've undergone series of laboratory test and I even had my OGTT twice.Medication occurred in my third trimester where in I am obliged to buy my personal glucometer and had my insulin pen.

All praise to God for His mercy that my glucose level normalized after giving birth (C-section both my first and 2nd).Still it took me 3months to heal but not totally.I am now experiencing side effects due to epidural injection of anesthesia.My back and hip bone easily get hurt and a lot of discomforts.I even lose weight from 59kg to 50kg.

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Written on 23rd day of February 2022 Published this 24th of the month.

Hope you learn something from my latest article.

Here are some of my previous articles,if you have spare time to read them please do and it will be highly appreciated.

https://read.cash/@RAIZYREESE/moments-to-remember-6147d2b8

https://read.cash/@RAIZYREESE/the-innocence-81625c1f