A Reading on

GESTATIONAL DIABETES

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements in NCM-209 RLE
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY NURSING ROTATION

Submitted to:
TERESA JALOTJOT MEDIDAS, RN, MN
Clinical instructor

Submitted by:
JANIUS CHIONG, St N

(MISSING ENTRY)
Title: Gestational diabetes mellitus

Bibliography: Kampmann, U., Madsen, L. R., Skajaa, G. O., Iversen, D. S., Moeller, N.,
& Ovesen, P. (2015). Gestational diabetes: a clinical update. World journal of diabetes,
6(8), 1065.

Summary:

Diabetes is a type of metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. Diabetes
mainly affects the production of insulin preventing the pancreas from making enough
insulin preventing blood sugar to normalize, this is referred to as type one Diabetes.
Another type of diabetes is when the cells of the body do not respond properly to insulin,
in other words, the body is resistant to insulin causing the glucose to stay in the blood
stream. There is also a type of diabetes which occurs to some pregnant women.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy but usually disappears after delivery.
When women are pregnant, the placenta supplies a growing fetus with nutrients and
water, and also produces a variety of hormones to maintain the pregnancy. Some of these
hormones (estrogen, cortisol, and human placental lactogen) can have a blocking effect
on insulin. This is called contra-insulin effect, which usually begins about 20 to 24 weeks
into the pregnancy. As the placenta grows, more of these hormones are produced, and
the risk of insulin resistance becomes greater. Normally, the pancreas is able to make
additional insulin to overcome insulin resistance, but when the production of insulin is not
enough to overcome the effect of the placental hormones, gestational diabetes results.

Although diabetes can develop to any women during pregnancy, there risk factors
that may increase the chance to acquire Gestational diabetes mellitus such as: obesity,
history of diabetes or family history of the said disease, given birth previously to an infant
weighing greater than 9 pounds, women older than 25 are usually at a greater risk of
developing the disease than younger women, Race (women who are African-American,
American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander have a higher
risk).
Reaction:

Gestational diabetes occurs to about 7 out of 100 women. This metabolic disease
can fortunately be controlled by eating heathy foods, exercising and, if needed, taking
medications. Keeping blood sugar at a normal level can prevent further complications
such as high blood pressure and preeclampsia which can be a threat to the health of both
the mother and her baby. Furthermore, mothers who was previously diagnosed with GDM
also have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the best solution to
counter Gestational diabetes mellitus is to prevent it from happening in the start. Eating
of healthy foods especially foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories by focusing on
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also, portion sized should still be monitored. 30
minutes of moderate exercise during pregnancy also contributes on preventing GDM from
occurring. Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind to start pregnancy at a healthy
weight by losing extra weight before getting pregnant.

Applying this reading to nursing education it will give me further ideas on how to
differentiate types of diabetes to each other knowing that GDM is common to pregnant
women. This reading will guide me on our MCN-OB rotation especially when encountering
a client with GDM, making it easy for me to educate my client on things that should be
done to maintain a healthy and safe pregnancy especially to a client who is positive for
GDM. As for nursing practice, all the things that I have gathered on researching on making
this reading will serve its purpose especially when I will be expose to the field. Risk
factors, preventive measures, and possible complications for the mother and the baby if
left untreated are few of the many things that I have researched in order for me to be
prepare in the field.

This reading will guide further health care workers especially on the basics on how
to deal with client who are pregnant resulting to better outcomes and more effective
treatment and prevention leading to a normal and healthy delivery of the baby without
compromising the health of the mother.