Gestational diabetes (GDM)

Gestational diabetes (GDM)

Mothers should control their blood sugar levels to be as close to normal as possible. This can be achieved by controlling the intake of starchy and sugary foods, but if this is not possible, insulin injections may be necessary to control blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes (GDM), which occurs mainly in the third trimester of pregnancy, can be classified into two severity levels: 

Class A1 (glucose intolerance), which accounts for 90% of pregnant women with GDM and is treated through diet control.

Class A2 (Overt DM), which means fasting hyperglycemia, i.e. blood sugar levels greater than 105 mg/dL, and is treated with insulin injections.

Principles of controlling carbohydrate-rich foods:

• Avoid large meals in one sitting and divide them into 3 main meals and 3 snacks.
• Consume foods that provide energy from protein, good fats, or complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice and whole wheat bread.
• Increase protein-rich foods (meat) and leafy vegetables, as they are high in dietary fiber and vitamins. For milk, it is recommended to consume skim milk or low-fat milk, and avoid or limit fruits that have a very sweet taste, such as durian, rambutan, longan, and lychee.
• Maintain a healthy weight and avoid becoming overweight.

For pregnant mothers with diabetes, in most cases, their blood sugar levels will improve on their own after giving birth. However, pregnant women with high blood sugar levels have a higher risk of developing diabetes in the future than those with normal pregnancies, so they should monitor and control their diet regularly, reduce their intake of sweets, sweetened drinks, and desserts, and have their blood sugar levels checked every year.

Risks to the fetus when the mother is unable to control blood sugar:

• Birth defects or miscarriage (for mothers with diabetes before pregnancy)

• High blood sugar in the fetus

• Poor fetal nervous system development

Risks to the newborn after birth

• Large fetal size, weighing more than 4,500 grams

• Low blood sugar in the newborn

• Premature birth

• Breathing difficulties

• Increased risk of obesity and diabetes.