In her last trimester, 35-year-old Foo Siew Min, a business development director, had a strange, unquenchable thirst after every meal. She drank nearly ten glasses of water daily to reduce her dry throat. But the sensation lingered. Worried by these symptoms, she contacted her obstetrician. Tests showed she had gestational diabetes.
Siew Min recalls her overwhelming shock upon hearing the doctor’s diagnosis. Her mind raced with worst-case scenarios. She anxiously tried to remember if anyone she knew had faced something similar. Consumed by worry, she couldn’t stop thinking about the condition and how it might impact her baby.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes. It develops only during pregnancy and affects how the body processes glucose. This condition affects 4-5% of expectant mothers. It shows the need to track blood sugar levels during this crucial time.
Pregnancy hormones cause glucose intolerance, raising blood sugar levels. In the third trimester, this effect worsens. It increases the chances of gestational diabetes.
An obstetrician at the Health & Fertility Centre for Women says hormones change in pregnancy. The pancreas usually compensates for this. It produces extra insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. If the pancreas can’t make enough insulin, blood sugar can rise. This can lead to gestational diabetes.
Do I have gestational diabetes?
Diabetes can cause thirst, vaginal infections, and sugar in the urine. Gestational diabetes during pregnancy is often symptomless. So, doctors rely on tests, not symptoms, for diagnosis.
The medical director at The Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre, part of the Singapore Medical Group, says only an OGTT can confirm gestational diabetes. It is a specialized blood test.
It says doctors test a pregnant woman’s urine for glucose at antenatal visits. If glucose levels are high, gestational diabetes may be suspected. The woman will be advised to take an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 28 weeks. At this stage of pregnancy, women at risk of gestational diabetes must take the OGTT. This is true even if their glucose levels are normal.
How will I be affected by gestational diabetes?
Many women who develop gestational diabetes often have no identifiable risk factors. Yet, in some instances, the condition may raise the mother’s risk of complications.
Gestational diabetes can raise the risk of pre-eclampsia. It’s a condition marked by high blood pressure and high protein in the urine after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Untreated pre-eclampsia can cause severe complications. It may endanger both the mother and the baby.
Pregnant women with gestational diabetes are twice as likely to get UTIs. This is likely due to higher glucose levels in their urine. Severe infections can increase the risk of premature delivery.
Gestational diabetes increases the risk of diabetes in future pregnancies and later in life.
How will my baby be affected?
Excess growth. Excess glucose during pregnancy can make the baby too large. This is called macrosomia. This raises delivery risks. Complications include the baby getting stuck, injuries, or needing tools, like forceps or a vacuum. Doctors may also need to perform a cesarean section.
Excessive amniotic fluid. Poorly managed gestational diabetes can cause too much amniotic fluid around the baby. It raises the risk of premature membrane rupture, causing infection and early delivery.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) after birth. Severe cases can lead to seizures and, in rare instances, brain damage. Blood sugar levels are closely monitored to ensure the baby’s health. Treatments like regular milk feedings or intravenous glucose may be needed.
Respiratory distress syndrome. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to have respiratory distress syndrome, even if born at term. This condition often requires care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. There, the baby can receive support until its lungs can breathe on their own.
Jaundice. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes are more at risk of jaundice. Phototherapy usually treats this condition well. Yet, severe cases can cause permanent brain damage if untreated.
Diabetes later in life. Children of mothers with gestational diabetes are at higher risk of obesity and diabetes as they age.
Untreated gestational diabetes can, in rare cases, cause the baby to be lost, before or shortly after birth.
Treatment for Gestational Diabetes
A diagnosis of gestational diabetes requires careful monitoring. We must track the mother’s blood sugar and the baby’s growth. This is to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
It stresses the need to keep normal blood sugar after a gestational diabetes diagnosis. Patients learn to use a glucometer for home glucose monitoring. They must adjust their diet. It must nourish both the mother and baby and control blood sugar.
Dietary management is the primary way to control gestational diabetes. It helps 90% of women. Yet, 10% may need insulin if diet alone can’t control their blood sugar.
Will gestational diabetes go away?
Most women with gestational diabetes return to normal blood sugar levels after childbirth. Yet, having had gestational diabetes raises the risk of it in future pregnancies.
Gestational diabetes usually resolves after childbirth. A follow-up glucose tolerance test is usually done six weeks after birth. It checks if blood sugar levels have returned to normal. Women who had gestational diabetes face a higher risk of type II diabetes later in life. To reduce this risk, they should maintain a nutritious diet and an active lifestyle.
Gestational diabetes may risk your baby’s health. You can take steps to reduce these concerns. A healthy diet and lifestyle help ensure a smooth pregnancy. They also lower the risk of diabetes later.
“I rarely exercise and love sweets. That may have caused my gestational diabetes,” admits Siew Min.
I changed my diet. I now eat wholemeal bread instead of white. I replaced white rice with brown. I also became more active. These changes helped regulate my blood sugar, leading to a smooth delivery and a healthy baby. Knowing I may get diabetes, I eat better and stay active.
A 32-year-old stay-at-home mom changed her diet. She had gestational diabetes in her second pregnancy. She has a two-year-old, Athena, and an eight-month-old, Aloysius.
My doctor advised me to switch to brown rice and wholemeal bread to manage my blood sugar. He said to include a slice of fruit with every meal, avoid snacks, and drink only warm water. This strict diet and lifestyle were hard to adapt to. But my goal of having a healthy baby and lowering my diabetes risk kept me motivated.
The effort to control my diet was completely worth it. I had a smooth pregnancy and delivery, and my son is healthy. A few months of discipline during pregnancy can ensure a healthy, diabetes-free future for you and your baby.
Sugar Shock: How to Avoid Added and Unwanted Sugar in Your Diet
Sugar, like an alligator in Florida, is both expected and unexpected. It appears where you’d expect and in unexpected places. It’s everything from pickles and crackers to bread, soup, and smoked salmon. And, of course, in sodas, cereals, and desserts. Its many disguises add to the challenge. Names like agave nectar, evaporated cane juice, and brown rice syrup make it harder to spot.
Sugar and Your Body
Sugar is in dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Whole fruits and veggies also provide fiber, which slows absorption. Dietitians tell us us to eat whole fruits, not juices. The fiber helps keep blood sugar levels stable and prevents spikes.
This matters. Frequent blood sugar spikes force your body to make more insulin to manage the excess sugar. Constant sugar intake can disrupt this process over time. It causes your body to overproduce insulin, making it harder for cells to use glucose. This strain can eventually cause your body to produce little or no insulin. It will result in diabetes.
Added sugar consists of added sugars.
Total sugar on nutrition labels includes natural and added sugars. Natural sweeteners like honey, agave, and brown sugar are added sugars if added during processing. Meanwhile, the sugar industry blamed fats for obesity. So, sugar quietly got into nearly every processed product.
The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services recommend that added sugar be less than 10% of daily calories. In a 2,000-calorie diet, that is 50 grams. The American Heart Association advises a daily limit of 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women.
To help consumers, the U.S. FDA required manufacturers in 2022 to list added sugars separately on nutrition labels. This makes it easier to follow dietary guidelines.
The Soda Trap
A popular cola’s 20-ounce bottle has 65 grams of added sugar. That’s a lot. This highlights the soda trap. A third of a cup of sugar is unappealing to eat. But it’s easy to drink it in soda. Unlike food, drinks are consumed quickly and often, usually without a second thought. If water isn’t your main drink, you might consume too much sugar and additives. That soda with lunch or during your commute adds a lot of sugar. You don’t notice it, but it matters.
What You Can Do About It
Experts have discussed the issue of hidden sugar for years. An old Nickelodeon PSA warned kids about it with the catchy line, “Glucose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose … all words that rhyme with GROSS!” A simple way to find hidden sugars in food is to check ingredient lists for words ending in -ose.
To simplify things, follow the “percent daily value” guideline. Foods that contain 20% or more are considered high in sugar, fat, or salt, while those that contain 5% or less are low. A daily sugar value of 5% or below means the food is low in sugar. Products with 0% added sugar are the healthiest choice. This rule also makes comparing products much more manageable.
A simple way to reduce sugar is by checking the labels of items you use regularly. It’s better to use less common staples, like pasta sauce or yogurt, than to cut back on occasional treats, like desserts. Opt for sauces without added sugar, or try making your own. For yogurt, choose plain and add fresh fruit for sweetness. If needed, a small amount of honey allows you to control the sugar content. Switch to unsweetened products. Give yourself time to adjust to their natural flavors.
It’s tough to cut sugar if you eat many processed foods, as they are full of sugar. Start by seeking low-sugar options and watch your intake. If you’re tracking your sugar intake, check the AHA’s guidelines. They offer a more structured approach.
FAQs
Does sugar water help with transplant shock in plants?
Yes, sugar water can sometimes help plants recover from transplant shock. It boosts energy. This may support root growth and reduce stress during the transition. We must use it in small amounts, as excessive sugar can harm the plant.
What is shock sugar, and how does it affect plants?
Shock sugar is sugar used to ease plant stress. This includes stress from transplanting or extreme environmental changes. Sugar solutions can give energy to the plant. Use them with caution to avoid overloading the soil with sugar.
Can low blood sugar cause shock in humans?
Yes, low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can lead to shock if left untreated. Severe cases can cause confusion, fainting, or unconsciousness. They need urgent medical attention and fast-acting sugars.
Does sugar help with shock?
Sugar can help plants during transplant shock. It provides energy for recovery. For humans, sugar can treat shock from low blood sugar. It does this by stabilizing glucose levels in a short time. Yet, you should only use it as directed in specific situations.
How can sugar water be used effectively for transplant shock?
Mix a small amount of sugar with water and apply it to the soil around the plant’s roots. This can aid recovery. But, it’s no substitute for proper care, like watering and ensuring good soil.
Conclusion
Sugar can help manage shock in plants and humans under the right conditions. Sugar water helps plants by quickly boosting their energy. It helps them cope with transplant stress. In humans, it can soon raise low blood sugar in emergencies. Using sugar is crucial. Excess or improper use can cause harm. Using sugar for recovery can benefit plant care and health. So, it’s essential to know how and when to use it. In severe situations, seek expert advice for safe, effective results.
