During pregnancy, you have to take care of the baby and your health as well. This is because, according to the theory of trans-generational karma, a mother’s health before, during and after conception can have a short as well as a long-term effect on the health of the offspring. And this is the reason, why maintaining healthy habits during pregnancy is imperative for health and well-being of the offspring.
While it is commonly known that drinking alcohol and smoking during pregnancy can have serious consequences on the growth and development of the newborns, there are several other significant but lesser-known factors, which most women are not aware of. Right from gestational diabetes and hypertension to obesity and anaemia, health problems during pregnancy can affect the child's health. Here's what Dr Sanjay Kalra, Consultant Endocrinologist, Bharti Hospital Karnal, Vice President, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies has to say about health problems during pregnancy and how it can have an affect on the baby.
Gestational diabetes: The complications for the offspring due to gestational diabetes range from NICU admissions 4.9% and respiratory complications in 32.3% of cases. Children of such pregnancies may also be at an increased risk of obesity, heart disorders and type 2 diabetes throughout their lives. Here are expert tips for controlling blood glucose level when suffering from gestational diabetes.
Anaemia: Anaemia is highly prevalent in pregnant women due to inadequate dietary iron, folate and vitamin B12 intake and bioavailability, which is further increased due to physiological requirements of iron during pregnancy. Similar to metabolic disorders like diabetes, maternal anaemia can significantly affect the health outcomes for the offspring. Maternal anaemia increases the risk of low birth weight in 6.5% cases, and 11.5% cases face pre-term labour related complications. Anaemia may act by reducing the placental transfer of oxygen from the mother to fetus, slowing growth and development of the placenta, and affecting endocrine gland function. In the Indian population, therefore, it makes sense to prescribe iron and hematopoietic vitamin supplements, to achieve and maintain normal haemoglobin levels before and during pregnancy. Here are few natural remedies to keep anaemia at bay.
Gestational hypertension: The condition which develops at about 20 weeks into pregnancy, is also a concern. It causes the blood vessels in the placenta to tighten which limits the availability of oxygen and nutrients to the foetus. The common complications due to gestational hypertension in infants include intra-uterine growth retardation, low birth weight, low blood sugar and low muscle tone. In some cases, the child may develop hypertension in early adolescence.
Maternal obesity: Maternal obesity can increase the risk of developing diabetes during the gestation period, which puts you at risk of preterm labour and increases the risk of obesity and diabetes in the offspring. Not just this, even minor differences in your nutritional status during pregnancy can have a long term effect on the kid. For example, lack of vitamin D during pregnancy not only affects the bone health of the mother but also leads to growth problems for the mother and child in the long run. Also read 10 diet dos and don’ts every pregnant woman should follow
Dr Sanjay Kalra says, “If a mother develops gestational diabetes or hypertension during pregnancy, it is advised to monitor the child’s health more closely particularly during early childhood phase. Growth charts and trends need to be monitored closely and on a regular basis complemented by preventive lifestyle measures."
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