Have you been diagnosed with gestational diabetes? Don’t panic, it just means that your pregnancy will need a little extra attention and that’s where fetal surveillance comes in. Get in touch with Dr Tejas Tamhane at Precious Clinic for gestational diabetes pregnancy care in Pune.
Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy Care in Pune
As a fetal medicine clinic, we often come across moms-to-be who are anxious and overwhelmed when they hear the word ‘monitoring’. What it really means, though, is that monitoring helps prevent problems, not just detect them. It’s how we keep a careful eye on the baby’s health and make sure that things work out better for you both.
Fetal Surveillance In Gestational Diabetes?
Fetal surveillance is a series of tests and scans that are used to check how well the baby is doing in the womb. When you have gestational diabetes, your blood sugar levels can affect your baby’s growth, oxygen supply and overall development. Monitoring helps us stay a step ahead.
Here are some common tools used for fetal surveillance:
- Growth Scans: Rarely, excess growth or macrosomia (a baby that is larger than expected) can result from gestational diabetes. We monitor your baby’s growth, the amount of amniotic fluid around them and their proper positioning with routine ultrasounds.
- Amniotic Fluid Levels: GDM can cause polyhydramnios or excess fluid around the baby, which can lead to preterm contractions or delivery challenges. We track fluid levels closely to make sure everything stays balanced. If the amniotic fluid level is too high, the option of the prenatal invasive procedure called ‘amnioreduction’ may be suggested by a Fetal Medicine expert.
- Non-Stress Tests (NSTs): Your baby’s heart rate reaction to movement is measured by these simple tests. It’s a quick way to see how well your unborn baby is adjusting to life in the womb. Based on your requirements, we may recommend these once or twice a week.
- Biophysical Profile (BPP): This is like a mini-checkup via ultrasound and NST that looks at five key areas: baby’s movement, muscle tone, breathing, heart rate and amniotic fluid. It helps us assess your baby’s comfort and oxygen levels.
- Doppler Studies: Umbilical artery Doppler investigations may be done in some situations, particularly if your baby is growing too quickly or not fast enough or if you have issues like preeclampsia. These gauge the quality of blood flow between the placenta and your unborn child.
When Do We Start Monitoring & How Often?
Every pregnancy is different, but in general, we begin fetal surveillance around 32 to 34 weeks, sometimes earlier if you’re on insulin or have other concerns. Depending on how things are going, you may have weekly or biweekly visits where we check your baby’s heart rate, growth, amniotic fluid and sometimes even blood flow through the placenta using Doppler studies.
(Also Read: Intrauterine Growth Restriction Treatment In Pune – Dr Tejas)
Why Does It Matter So Much?
Gestational diabetes, if not managed in time, can sometimes lead to complications such as preterm delivery, stillbirth or other delivery-related injuries due to a larger baby.
That is why monitoring is so crucial, as it can help us:
- Detect early signs of fetal distress
- Decide the safest time & mode of delivery
- Adjust your treatment plan if needed
Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy Care in Pune
Although gestational diabetes may seem frightening, it’s critical to understand how to prevent it or at least detect it early. Continue to participate, ask questions, attend your follow-up appointments and routinely check your blood sugar levels. And if you ever feel unsure or anxious about what’s next, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr Tejas Tamhane, the best fetal medicine specialist in Pune.
