Gestational diabetes: A silent threat to pregnant women; doctor shares prevention tips to follow
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Shubhashree Patil, diabetologist and physician, Diabetes & Wellness Clinic, Mumbai said, 'Often undiagnosed or underestimated, GDM acts as a silent threat, exacerbating conditions such as hypertension, infections, and cardiovascular issues, which may ultimately lead to fatal outcomes. Understanding this link is crucial in promoting awareness, improving maternal care protocols, and ensuring safer pregnancies.'
The doctor noted down advanced maternal age, obesity or excessive weight gain during pregnancy, family history of diabetes, previous history of GDM or macrosomia and polycystic ovarian syndrome as the risk factors that can trigger gestational diabetes.
'GDM results from insulin resistance due to placental hormones, compounded by maternal metabolic stress. If uncontrolled, it leads to hyperglycemia, promoting endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and increased inflammatory markers,' the doctor added. Also read | Your diabetes could be damaging your kidneys. Here's how to stop it
'Though GDM is often silent and short-lived, its consequences can be fatal. Early diagnosis, targeted interventions, and postnatal care are essential to curb the maternal mortality associated with this preventable condition,' Dr. Shubhashree Patil highlighted.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
New to breastfeeding? Gynac shares 10 tips every new mother should know
In the early days of new motherhood, breastfeeding can be little challenging. 'While it is a natural process, it often requires patience, practice, and the right guidance,' said Dr. Krishnaveni Nayini, senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, in an interview with HT Lifestyle. Also read | 11 most common breastfeeding myths in Indian families busted: 'First milk is dirty and small breasts give little milk' Breastfeeding can be hard if a baby doesn't latch or enough milk is not produced. (Freepik) The gynaecologist further suggested 10 tips for new mothers that can help them address the initial challenges of breastfeeding. 1. Keep your baby close to you after birth Rooming-in promotes hormonal responses that enhance milk production and bonding. Even after a C-section, skin-to-skin contact is usually possible and highly beneficial. 2. Begin within the golden hour Feeding within the first hour after birth stimulates milk supply and fosters early attachment. This is one of the most important steps to ensure breastfeeding success. 3. Feed on demand Allow your baby to feed whenever they show hunger cues rather than sticking to a strict schedule. Newborns may nurse 8–12 times in 24 hours, which helps establish supply. 4. Focus on a good latch A correct latch minimises soreness and ensures effective milk transfer. Your baby's mouth should cover more of the areola with the chin touching the breast. Tips to address the initial challenges of breastfeeding.(Shutterstock) 5. Watch for signs of effective feeding Adequate wet nappies, regular stools, steady weight gain, and audible swallowing during feeds are reassuring indicators of good feeding. Also read | Lactation expert says stress and anxiety can affect breastfeeding, shares why emotional support from family, friends mat 6. Stay hydrated and nourished Breastfeeding increases fluid and calorie needs. Drink water regularly and eat balanced meals to support milk production and recovery. 7. Avoid teats, dummies, and early supplementation of solid food and other liquids Introducing artificial nipples too soon can confuse your baby's feeding pattern and reduce your milk supply. Exclusively breastfeeding in the early weeks ensures optimal supply. 8. Seek help early Midwives, lactation consultants, and support groups can resolve small issues before they escalate. 9. Be patient and kind to yourself Breastfeeding is a skill for both mother and baby. If frustration sets in, relax, set back and try again. Expressing milk for one feed and resuming at the next is perfectly fine. Also read | Breastfeeding 101: Best practices, benefits and overcoming challenges Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Want to boost your child's gut health? Pediatrician shares 6 simple food swaps
A child needs proper nutrition in the early years for healthy development, and it starts with the right kind of diet. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ravi Malik, pediatrician, MAMC, founder and medical director, Malik Radix Healthcare said, "A healthy gut does more than aid digestion, It supports immunity, brain development, and even emotional well-being. The secret? Feeding the good bacteria that live in your child's gut. And it doesn't require a complete diet overhaul; just a few mindful swaps can make a big difference.' Also read | Is your kid a picky eater? Here are 7 tips to add healthy foods to your child's diet Follow these tips to reduce sugary foods in your child's diet.(Shutterstock) 1. Swap sugary cereals for fibre-rich breakfasts Most breakfast cereals are loaded with sugar and offer little nutritional value. Instead, opt for high-fibre choices like dry oats, millet porridge, or whole grain toast. Fibre acts as food for good gut bacteria, helping them thrive while keeping digestion smooth and reducing long-term risks like constipation and even chronic diseases. 2. Swap ice creams and sweets for yoghurt with fruits Instead of sugar-heavy desserts, try plain yoghurt topped with fruits. Yoghurt is rich in probiotics, the good bacteria that support gut health. You can also blend curd with fruits into smoothies or mix in chopped vegetables for a savoury twist. Just be sure to skip added sugars. 3. Swap fried snacks for roasted chickpeas and nuts Chips and fried items offer empty calories and harm gut balance. Try giving roasted makhana, peanuts, or chickpeas instead. These snacks are high in protein, contain fibre, and help support a healthy microbe. Also read | Is your child's diet putting their heart at risk? Essential guide for parents Pay attention to your child's gut health.(Shutterstock) 4. Swap sugary drinks for natural fluids Packaged juices and sodas often contain added sugar and preservatives that disrupt gut flora. Replace them with coconut water, unsweetened lassi, fruit-infused water, or buttermilk. These drinks hydrate and, in the case of fermented ones, add beneficial bacteria to the gut. 5. Avoid harmful white foods Cut down on white bread, maida (refined flour), white rice, sugary biscuits, table salt, and extra sugar. Replace them with multigrain breads, whole rice, and flours like ragi, bajra, jowar, or suji. Whole grains are rich in fibre and help nourish gut microbes. 6. Add fermented foods and high-fibre fruits Add fermented foods like idli, dosa, and kimchi to meals. Encourage high-fibre fruits like apples, papaya, guava, and pears. Garlic and onions also support gut health. And limit junk food and antibiotics, which can disrupt your child's gut flora. Also read | Power of Indian superfoods: Nutritionist recommends 5 foods to add to your child's diet Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
11 most common breastfeeding myths in Indian families busted: 'First milk is dirty and small breasts give little milk'
World Breastfeeding Week 2025: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, except for oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals, or medicines when necessary. While breastfeeding is a vital aspect of motherhood, it's often surrounded by myths that can cause confusion and stress for new mothers in Indian families. Also read | Breast care during breastfeeding: Gynaecologist shares hygiene tips and common mistakes to avoid Mothers need to follow proper diet to ensure they stay healthy for breastfeeding.(Shutterstock) Breastfeeding myths vs science In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Kirti Bendre, consultant gynaecologist, K J Somaiya Hospital and Research Centre and Dr K Sandhya, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Apollo group of Hospitals, debunked some common myths about breastfeeding and revealed the truth. Dr K Sandhya listed the 11 most common breastfeeding myths in India: 1) Giving sugar water, honey, or animal milk before starting the first breastfeeding – believed to bring a lifetime of good luck or sweetness to the newborn. 2) Discarding the first milk secretion – colostrum – as it is considered stale 3) Avoiding potatoes, brinjal, oily foods, citrus fruits, cold drinks and ice creams while breastfeeding – believed to cause gaseous distention and respiratory infections in the newborn. 4) To avoid breastfeeding if the mother has a fever, cough or cold – elders believe that the disease gets transmitted in breast milk. 5) To discard breast milk if the mother has not breastfed the baby for a few hours - it is believed that milk in the breast curdles if left without feeding. 6) Small breasts give little milk and vice versa. 7) Giving water in addition to breast milk – believed to hydrate the baby better. 8) It is hard to wean the baby if breastfeeding is continued beyond a year. Elders believe that such babies become clingers and become poor eaters. 9) To completely avoid medication while breastfeeding the baby – all medicines will enter the breast milk and harm the baby. 10) Avoid breastfeeding with sore nipples – baby might get infected. 11) Wash breast thoroughly before each breastfeed to avoid infections in the baby. Breastfeeding is an integral part of the experience of motherhood however, there are several apprehensions in the mind of a new mother around what to and what not to eat during this phase. (Unsplash) What Indian families get wrong about breastfeeding Dr Bendre explained some of the most prevalent myths that she still hears from Indian families, particularly from older generations, and said, 'There are a number of enduring myths that continue to impact breastfeeding in India. One widespread perception is that colostrum or the first milk is 'dirty' or 'too thick' and needs to be thrown away, when it is actually full of antibodies and crucial for the newborn's immunity.' Speaking of other myths that need to be addressed, she said: 'A common myth is that a crying baby always signifies that the mother's milk is not enough, leading to unwarranted formula supplementation. Some even hold the notion that mothers need to discontinue breastfeeding if they become ill, consume specific foods, or get pregnant again, none of which is supported by science. Another myth is that 'heavy' or 'fatty' foods stimulate milk production, as opposed to proper hydration and good nutrition.' Dr Bendre also shared how breastfeeding myths influence the confidence and choices of new mothers. She said, 'Such myths may critically erode a mother's confidence. Older relatives demanding formula feeding or doubting whether breastmilk is sufficient may lead new mothers to question their own bodies. Additional stress, compounded by hormonal changes and lack of sleep, can impact both milk production and mood. It contributes to early weaning even when the mother was eager and capable of breastfeeding. The stress of conforming to family beliefs rather than medical recommendations can be emotionally challenging for most women.' Dr K Sandhya added, 'Although the joy of motherhood begins the moment the mother hears her baby cry, the lifelong bonding begins when the mother breastfeeds her baby. Indian cultural practices regarding breastfeeding are largely mother-and-baby friendly. However, certain practices rooted in ignorance need to be addressed with scientific explanations, which would go a long way in making our society physically and emotionally healthy.' She further said, 'Cultural practices that deprive the baby of the first maternal feed - colostrum - which is packed with nutrients and antibodies, deprive the baby of good health and delay maternal bonding. Administering sugar water, honey, etc., causes the baby to become sick, and a sick newborn is a psychological nightmare to any new mother. It breaks the confidence of any mother who becomes wary of small things in raising the baby and the joy of motherhood remains dented forever.' Breastfeeding during the first six months What does science really have to say about the duration and frequency of breastfeeding during the first six months? According to Dr Bendre, 'Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is advised by the World Health Organisation and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics. No water, animal milk, or formula means no other fluids but breastmilk, which is nutritionally adequate for this period. Newborns nurse every 2–3 hours, and demand nursing (day and night) assists in establishing a proper supply. Breastfeeding thereafter, along with supplementary foods, should be done until two years or even more.' Dr K Sandhya said, 'Breastfeeding a baby when it demands a feed helps to maintain the baby's gut health and optimises weight gain. It also gives enough time for the mother to regain her energy to lactate. Exclusive breastfeeding has proven to prevent infectious disease and nutritional deficiencies and enhance the baby's emotional development.' Myths about breast size and breastfeeding 'A wholesome, balanced, nutritional diet is required for a mother to rebuild her body after childbirth and maintain her health while breastfeeding. Food myths make the mother nutritionally exhausted, and taking care of the newborn turns from being a joy to a burden,' Dr K Sandhya said. She explained, 'Myths about breast size and breastfeeding make mothers with small breasts worry about adequate feeding to the child, and if mothers with big breasts do not give out adequate milk flow for whatever reason, it instils a sense of guilt and shame in them. Not all medications enter the breast milk. Safe antibiotics are prescribed to lactating mothers. Breastfeeding should not deter a mother from taking medication in case she falls ill.' Is it true that some women don't produce enough milk? Asked if some women actually 'do not make enough milk', or if this was also a myth, Dr Bendre said, 'Where actual low milk supply does occur, it is much less prevalent than imagined. Frequently, the situation involves a compromised latch, inadequate feeding, or insufficient support instead of an actual physiological issue. With the guidance of trained lactation consultants and ongoing skin-to-skin contact, most mothers are able to develop sufficient supply. Unfortunately, misdirection and premature use of formula too often disrupts this natural process, generating a self-fulfilling prophecy.' According to Dr K Sandhya, 'enough milk' depends on the baby's nutritional demand': ''Enough milk' is not a concern in situations where the baby suckles well or in a mother whose nipples are not retracted, and in situations where the mother's nutrition and hydration is taken good care of. However, 'lactational failure' is not a misconception. It is known to occur in women with hormonal dysfunction, breast glandular abnormality and with certain medications.' She added, 'Although this forms a small percentage of women, the implications are large. Formula feeds are a panacea in such conditions and should be encouraged only in such situations, as they ensure that the infant's nutritional needs are met. Emotional support should be given to the mother, as guilt leading to puerperal depression is commonly encountered in such circumstances.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
