A 32-year-old woman who was pregnant for the fourth time experienced a stillbirth due to high blood sugar levels and other risk factors. She was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks of pregnancy but did not receive any treatment. By the time she reached 40 weeks, the fetal heart rate had slowed down. When she arrived at the hospital, it was discovered that the fetus was stillborn.
The woman had a family history of type 2 diabetes and had given birth to a large baby before. She also experienced symptoms like excessive thirst and frequent urination but did not consider them serious. During her prenatal check-ups, doctors noticed that she had polyhydramnios, which is an excess of amniotic fluid in the womb, and a large fetus size.
A week before reaching 40 weeks, she went to the doctor and found that the fetal heart rate was slow. Once she was transferred to Bach Mai Hospital, it was determined that the fetus had not survived, leading to the need for a cesarean section. Dr. Nguyen Quang Bay, Head of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the hospital, mentioned that the patient had various risk factors indicating diabetes, such as being overweight or obese, having multiple pregnancies or undergoing IVF, a family history of type 2 diabetes, being over 35 years old or having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
Upon admission to the hospital, her HbA1C test result showed high blood sugar levels from about three months ago. This unfortunate outcome could have been caused by complications like acidosis or severe heart or neurological issues. Doctors advise that pregnant women with risk factors such as being overweight or obese or undergoing IVF should be screened for gestational diabetes within their first trimester to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
It is crucial for pregnant women without diabetes at their initial prenatal check-ups to be re-checked at 24-28 weeks for any signs of gestational diabetes. If diagnosed with gestational diabetes immediately treatment through diet, exercise monitoring blood sugar levels at home regular consultations with an endocrinologist are necessary to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
In conclusion, high blood sugar levels can lead to complications during pregnancy resulting in stillbirths if left untreated; thus it is essential for pregnant women with risk factors such as being overweight or obese or undergoing IVF should be screened for gestational diabetes within their first trimester.