Gestational Diabetes & Pregnancy Endocrine Disorders

Rapid hormonal changes occur during pregnancy. Both mother and foetus adapt to these changes with alterations in hormonal feedback. The high rate of metabolic activity can make it challenging to ascertain endocrine disorders. These changes can also modify previous hormonal and metabolic diseases and can be complicated when treatment needs of mother and foetus differ. 

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes or pregnancy diabetes is a condition in which a pregnant woman develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, mostly due to a disorder in glucose metabolism. It affects up to 10% of pregnant women and can cause complications such as stillbirth, early delivery, and excessive birth weight. If poorly treated, babies born are prone to jaundice, low blood sugar, and obesity and diabetes as they grow up.

We address early hormonal and metabolic disorders before pregnancy with proper preconception check-up. During pregnancy, we carry out proper diagnosis and gestational diabetes treatment is directed by the peculiar needs of the mother and foetus.

Thyroid Disease

The foetus requires thyroid hormones for healthy development, especially during the first three months. Excess or insufficient supply of thyroid from the mother can affect the mother as well as the baby. A disorder of the thyroid gland can change the way almost every organ in the body works. Thyroid disease diagnosis involves blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels, and treatment targets the underlying causes.

Genetic Disorders

At conception, a foetus inherits equal amounts of chromosomes from their mother and father. The chromosomes carry the DNA, genes, or blueprint such as eye colour, body make-up, and even susceptibility to disease. A severe change in DNA instructions can change the way a baby develops. To avoid the effects of such genetic disorders, we do proper screening and diagnostic tests.

Screening tests such as carrier, prenatal genetic, and cell-free DNA screening can ascertain predisposition to certain genetic disorders. Treatment depends on the genetic disease, pregnancy, family preferences, and available treatment options.