Diabetes in Pregnancy can Lead to Abnormal Babies - Gynaecologist

 

Reports have it that the UN celebrates the World Diabetic Day (WDD) every Nov. 14 to raise global awareness of diabetes, its escalating rates around the world and how to prevent it.

Nathaniel, who works with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, spoke inAbuja as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the WDD on Wednesday.

He said that women who were diabetic usually had big babies and they could have problems such as intra neutral foetal death (babies dying in the womb) or neonatal death.

``Also the babies are to be monitored by paediatricians because they will not be able to control it on their own,” he said.

According to him, a woman with family history of diabetes already has a higher risk of developing the condition during pregnancy.

``They have tendency risk of operation, and during the normal virginal delivery, they could have increased chances of shoulder dystocia,’’ he said.

According to him, shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby's head is delivered through the vagina, but his shoulders get stuck inside the mother's body.

``This creates risks for both mother and baby.

``Also, these babies have higher risk of developing diabetes in future than the normal baby, and could have challenges at delivery if the diabetes is poorly controlled,” he added.

He said that a woman with 90 kg and above, or with multiple pregnancy such as twins and triplets and had been delivering big babies that were over four kg had the tendency to develop diabetes.

According to him, diabetes is associated with frequent urination, and excessive feeling of thirst, among other signs.

He advised women who were at risk of developing diabetes to ensure that they reduce their carbohydrate intake but increase their intake of protein and vegetables.

He also advised that the management of it should be urine sugar screening on regular basis, and that those with the tendency of developing it should go for early test to avoid complications.

World Health Organisation estimates that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes.

Without intervention, this number is likely to be more than double by 2030.