Some Basic
Pointers (Week 23)
Sugar in Urine
Non-diabetic women normally have a
small amount of sugar in their urine.
This is due to changes in sugar levels
and how the kidneys handle sugar which
in turn determine the amount of sugar
in the system. Excess sugar is called
glucosuria and is quite common during
pregnancy, more so in the second and
third trimesters. Pregnant women are
usually tested for sugar levels at
the end of the second trimester; testing
is more rigorous if you have a family
history of diabetes. These blood tests
are termed glucose-tolerance test
or GTT and fasting blood-sugar. In
the latter test, you are required
to eat normal meal the evening before
the test. The next morning before
having anything, you have to go to
the lab and get a blood test done.
A normal result will indicate that
diabetes is absent while an abnormal
test will indicate the reverse and
further testing will be required.
The next stage will be GTT where you
will have to fast after dinner one
night before the test. In the morning
you will be given a solution to drink
that has a measured amount of sugar
in it. The sugar content is similar
to a bottle of soda pop but it isn't
as tasty. After you have had the solution,
blood is drawn at intervals of about
30 minutes, 1 hour and then 2 or 3
hours. This will give some idea on
how our body handles sugar. Your doctor
will devise a plan for your treatment
if required.
Diabetes and Pregnancy
Diabetes continues to be a problem
during pregnancy; however women with
this condition are equipped to deal
with it safely during pregnancy thanks
to medical care and nutrition and
their doctor's good advice. Diabetes
is a situation caused by a lack of
insulin in the blood stream. Insulin
is responsible for breaking down sugar
and transporting it to the cells.
The absence of insulin causes blood
sugar to be high. There are two types
of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type
1 causes body to stop the manufacture
of insulin while Type 2 causes ineffective
use of insulin. Type 2 is the more
common one during pregnancy; but both
types suggest too much sugar is circulating
in the bloodstream. Problems caused
by diabetes include kidney problem,
eye problem, blood and vascular problems.
These bear serious consequences for
mother and baby. If diabetes is not
controlled, you have chances of delivering
a large baby; this increases your
chance for a C-section, your risk
of having preeclampsia and the baby
is at greater risk of developing hypoglycemia
(low blood sugar) and jaundice. One
good way to maintain steady blood
sugar is have all your meals; don't
skip any meals, exercise in some measure,
and adjust your insulin intake in
terms of dosage and timings according
to your needs during this time. Monitor
your blood sugar at regular intervals.
Insulin is safe during pregnancy.
Women who have trouble dealing with
high blood sugar levels during pregnancy
are more likely to develop diabetes
later on in life. Symptoms include
more frequent urination, blurred vision,
weight loss, dizziness and hunger
pangs. In some situations women acquire
diabetes only during pregnancy - gestational
diabetes - affecting about 10% of
all pregnancies. After pregnancy,
the problem disappears. However if
gestational diabetes is found in one
pregnancy, it will affect all subsequent
pregnancies 90% of the time. This
type of diabetes happens for 2 reasons:
production of insulin drops during
pregnancy and mother's body is not
using insulin effectively. Both result
in high blood-sugar levels. Without
treatment gestational diabetes can
be serious for mother and baby. Exposure
to high levels of sugar is not healthy
for both. You might experience high
levels amniotic fluid and this can
cause premature labor because uterus
becomes over-distended. With a large
baby on the way, long labor is quite
expected, sometimes leading to a C-section.
With high blood sugar levels chances
of infections increases too, including
those in bladder, kidneys, the cervix
and the uterus. Treatment involves
regular exercise and increased fluid
intake. Diet has to change - a six
meal diet, 2000-2500 calorie per day
eating plan - as recommended by your
doctor. A referral to a dietician
may be necessary. |
