Gestational diabetes is on the rise in Finland, with around 20 percent of pregnant women developing the condition and can cause issues like high blood pressure, hypoglycemia (or low blood sugar) and also increase the need for C-section births.
The condition can also lead to the mother developing adult-onset type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome.
"Obesity and gestational diabetes go hand in hand. In addition, the increasing average age of women in childbirth can heighten the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy," gynaecologist and obstetrician Heidi Hakkarainen from Kuopio University Hospital said.
According to Hakkarainen, who defended her dissertation on the topic a year ago, even a slightly overweight person can have a predisposition to gestational diabetes. While those who are not overweight can also suffer from the condition, they often tend to have an underlying family history.
The condition is diagnosed when an expectant mother exceeds two of the three values measured in a glucose tolerance tests.
Rise in healthcare costs
The high prevalence of gestational diabetes is leading to a spike in healthcare costs in Finland, according to the obstetrician.
"An increasing number of patients diagnosed with the condition require more resources. Of course, the situation is worrying," Hakkarainen said.
When an expectant mother is diagnosed, nurses are required to provide guidance on home monitoring and diet and offer appropriate treatment.
Experts said the rise in prevalence can also be attributed to poor lifestyles — lack of exercise and sleep along with bad eating habits
Need for monitoring
Post-delivery, gestational diabetes increases the mother's risk of developing adult-onset type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.
Hakkarainen is particularly concerned about mothers who don’t follow up on their health after giving birth, putting themselves at the risk of developing chronic diseases. The more severe the case of gestational diabetes, the sooner after childbirth the mothers should take a glucose tolerance test, Hakkarainen said.
"Remember to check your blood sugar, blood fat values and blood pressure every one to three years based on the results."
Anyone diagnosed with gestational diabetes should follow up on the condition throughout their lifetime, Hakkarainen added.
