For many women, the journey of motherhood can be full of excitement and joy, but it can also come with unexpected risks. The development of diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), has become the fastest-rising type of diabetes in Canada.
GDM can happen to women with no previous symptoms or risk of diabetes, and it increases the odds of the mother developing Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems in the future. During pregnancy, this condition can have serious consequences if it's not controlled, such as high blood pressure and preeclampsia.
According to Rose Yeung, clinical endocrinologist and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta, South Asian and Chinese women are groups at particular risk of developing gestational diabetes. Babies affected by gestational diabetes can also be two times bigger than a baby from a pregnancy without diabetes, meaning the possibility of a C-section delivery or birth complications like premature labour, respiratory distress syndrome and hypoglycemia. Yeung says these 'sugar babies' are also at risk of developing obesity or Type 2 diabetes later on.
The good news is that gestational diabetes can be controlled. "Two-thirds of women with gestational diabetes can manage their sugars with healthy behaviours, and one-third will go on to require medications," said Yeung.
Yeung will be speaking at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry's Festival of Health on May 25 at the U of A's North Campus. Her talk Sugar babies! Life with gestational diabetes will be one of the festival's Rapid-Fire Presentations at 1 p.m., where she will share tips and resources for healthier pregnancies and families.
"Gestational diabetes can seem scary, but my hope is that women and families will take it as an opportunity to review and build knowledge around healthier habits, and teach these habits to their growing children to really improve the health of the next generation."
Festival of Health 2019
Register here for your free ticket
May 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy
University of Alberta
Booths and Children's Activities Area
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learning Session and Tours Block 1
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Barbecue and Entertainment
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Rapid-Fire Presentations and Ask The Experts: Q & A Session
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Learning Sessions and Tours Block 2
3 - 4 p.m.
For more information, visit uab.ca/healthfest.