Only around 40 percent of affected women take advantage of structured follow-up care with regular screening appointments. “And this despite the fact that almost every second woman suffers from type 2 diabetes,” says Birthe Fink-Oldach. She is a senior physician at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Tettnang. No wonder, because the risk is ten times higher than before pregnancy.
A study by the German Diabetes Society shows that cardiovascular complications can also increase due to gestational diabetes. Heart attacks or strokes occur twice as often ten to 22 years after birth. It doesn’t matter whether you have type 2 diabetes or not.
On World Diabetes Day on November 14th, attention is drawn to such risks and all kinds of diabetes diseases.
Dr. Birthe Fink-Oldach is a senior physician at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in Tettnang. (Photo: Lake Constance Medical Campus)
Case numbers are increasing
Gestational diabetes is the most common metabolic disease in pregnant women and affects almost eight percent of expectant mothers – and the trend is rising. According to the senior doctor, pregnant women with a family history of type 2 diabetes or a high body mass index are particularly at risk.
Pamela Benz from Friedrichshafen was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during her first pregnancy. “Without the test, I probably wouldn’t have noticed at all – I had no symptoms,” she says. Surprisingly, she is neither overweight nor has a family history.
“It happens all the time that we find gestational diabetes in slim, fit and healthy women,” confirms senior physician Fink-Oldach.
In affected women, glucose utilization is impaired, which causes blood sugar levels to rise. “This is often because hormone levels change during pregnancy,” she says. Therefore, blood sugar usually levels off again after delivery.
Insulin administration only in a few cases
Women who develop gestational diabetes can do something about it. “I always advise affected women to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise – throughout their entire pregnancy,” she says. “It sounds simple, but it’s effective,” adds the senior doctor. Insulin administration is only necessary in a few cases.
I had to inject insulin into my stomach before every meal.
Pamela Benz
Pamela Benz is one of these few cases. “I had to inject insulin into my stomach before every meal,” she says. In contrast to those around her, as an expectant mother she deals with the situation calmly. “The injection itself didn’t bother me – but I did find the regular blood sugar measurement annoying,” adds Benz.
She also finds the strict change in diet difficult at first. “I really like sweet things,” she says and laughs.
Even if insulin has to be injected, it’s not a big deal, according to senior doctor Fink-Oldach. “It would be bad if the disease remained untreated – the blood sugar level has to be adjusted correctly,” she says.
Risk for the baby
Nevertheless, gestational diabetes is dangerous. For the child and mother – because the excess glucose is passed on to the baby’s blood via the placenta. “As a result, the baby begins to produce insulin for its mother,” explains Birthe Fink-Oldach.
The result: fat storage in organs such as the liver or heart muscle. “In the worst case scenario, fatty organs can develop,” emphasizes the senior doctor. In addition, the risk of dangerous hypoglycemia after birth is higher for these children, they are usually heavier and generally need medical support more often after birth.
“My son was tested immediately – but everything was within normal limits,” said Benz. The weight and size of the infant are also harmless – 3560 grams and 50 centimeters.
To date, mother and child are doing well. “I have to honestly admit that I was only tested again immediately after pregnancy and I think six months later,” she says. “Both times inconspicuous. Maybe I should go again,” says Pamela Benz.
