Diabetes in Pregnancy

Diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, which is needed for the body to absorb sugar (glucose) into cells and process it.

It is one of those chronic conditions that have significant potential of wreaking havoc during a pregnancy.

Many diabetic women who become pregnant will be on insulin. Through the course of the pregnancy, the needs of the body for insulin will continually change and dosage adjustments are inevitable. This means that monitoring of the condition will need to be closer and almost always involves not only the obstetrician but a specialist physician (for diabetes) as well as the GP, midwife and probably a diabetic liaison nurse; a classic multidisciplinary approach.

This is not meant to cause anxiety to the mother but to provide a close and coordinated service to ensure the best possible outcome.

There is no doubt that if a pregnant diabetic woman has poor blood-sugar control, the chances of a poor outcome are high. Not only that, but there is the possibility of very serious diabetic complications which in extreme cases could be life-threatening to the mother herself.

There is a group of women who become diabetic for the first time in pregnancy and whose diabetes ends with their pregnancy. This condition is aptly called "gestational diabetes". This will also require special measures, which will differ from person to person. All this is explained in detail in this section.

Diabetes is one of those conditions which can be quite effectively controlled, to the point where pregnancy seems uncomplicated.

That kind of strategy does inevitably entail a very interventionist approach, which many women may find unacceptable. The onus is upon the health-care professionals to ensure the mother understands why a particular management plan is required and why each specific measure needs to be taken.

Gestational diabetes

Diabetes occurring for the first time during pregnancy

A number of women are found to be diabetic for the first time in their lives while pregnant. Pregnancy has been described as a "diabetogenic condition". This simply means it can trigger the development of diabetes.

Difference between gestational diabetes (diabetes occurring in pregnancy) and classical diabetes

In a few ways, these cousins differ. It is, however, important to concentrate on the aspects where gestational diabetes is similar to classical diabetes.

In either type, when the condition is not controlled, it can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.

The two conditions differ in the sense that the gestational type of diabetes is easier to control and usually clears up soon after delivery.

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