Category General Blogs

Diabetes During Pregnancy: Why Awareness Matters for Every Mother

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it also comes with physical and hormonal changes that require special care. One such concern is diabetes during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes. As an experienced gynecologist in South Delhi, Dr. Shelly Singh emphasizes that awareness and early management are key to ensuring the health of both mother and baby.

What Is Diabetes During Pregnancy?

Diabetes during pregnancy occurs when blood sugar levels rise higher than normal during gestation. This condition can affect women who have never had diabetes before and usually develops in the second or third trimester.

Why Awareness Is Important

Many women may not realize they have gestational diabetes until routine tests reveal it. Lack of awareness can lead to complications such as:

  • High birth weight in babies
  • Premature delivery
  • High blood pressure during pregnancy
  • Cesarean delivery or delivery complications

By staying informed and undergoing regular prenatal checkups, women can identify risks early and take preventive steps.

How Diabetes Affects Mother and Baby

Uncontrolled diabetes during pregnancy can lead to health risks for both mother and child. Mothers may experience increased fatigue, infections, or delivery challenges, while babies may face low blood sugar levels or breathing issues after birth.

With proper antenatal monitoring and regular checkups, both mother and baby can stay safe and healthy throughout the pregnancy journey.

Symptoms of Diabetes During Pregnancy

Most women do not notice major symptoms. However, some may experience:

  • Unusual tiredness or fatigue
  • Increased thirst or hunger
  • Frequent urination
  • Blurred vision

If you notice any of these signs, consult your gynaecologist immediately.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Doctors usually recommend a glucose tolerance test between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.
If you have risk factors, your doctor may advise earlier testing. Early diagnosis helps manage the condition effectively and ensures a safe pregnancy.

Management and Care

Managing pregnancy and diabetes requires a balanced approach that includes:

  • Regular blood sugar monitoring
  • A nutritious, well-balanced diet
  • Gentle exercise suited for pregnancy
  • Routine antenatal visits and diagnostic tests
  • Continuous medical guidance and lifestyle adjustments

Proper awareness, early diagnosis, and consistent care make it possible to maintain good health for both mother and baby.

Nutritious

Expert Guidance at Dr. Shelly Singh’s Clinic

Dr. Shelly Singh offers comprehensive pregnancy care for women with diabetes, prioritizing safety, comfort, and long-term wellness. Her approach combines medical precision with compassionate support, ensuring mothers feel confident and cared for during every stage of pregnancy.

FAQs

1. Can I have a normal delivery if I have gestational diabetes?
Yes, with proper care and sugar control, many women can have a normal delivery.

2. Will my baby be affected by my diabetes?
With regular checkups and controlled sugar levels, most babies are born healthy.

3. Should I check my sugar levels after delivery?
Yes, post-delivery sugar tests are important to ensure your blood sugar returns to normal.

Conclusion

Awareness is the foundation of a healthy pregnancy. Understanding how diabetes in pregnancy affects your body—and taking timely medical advice—can prevent complications and ensure a smoother journey to motherhood.

If you’re expecting and want expert guidance on managing diabetes during pregnancy, schedule a consultation with Dr. Shelly Singh today. With personalized care and dedicated support, she helps every mother experience a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Looking for the Best Gynecologist in Delhi NCR? Contact Dr.Shelly Singh Today!  

Can Pollution Affect Fertility? What Every Woman Must Know About AQI and Fertility

Air pollution has become a silent threat, affecting far more than just our lungs. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) worsening, pollutants in the air are now linked to hormonal imbalance, menstrual disturbances, reduced egg and sperm quality, and declining fertility. Many women today experience stress, irritability, and fatigue without realizing that environmental toxins may be playing a major role.

How Air Pollution Affects the Reproductive System

When we breathe polluted air, harmful particles and chemicals enter the bloodstream. These pollutants create oxidative stress and inflammation, which can damage reproductive cells and disrupt hormone function.

Major pollutants that affect fertility include:

  • PM2.5 and PM10 (Particulate matter)
  • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Ozone (O3)

These substances are known to be gametotoxic, meaning they can damage eggs and sperm.

Impact on Women’s Fertility

For a healthy pregnancy, a woman needs both good egg quality and ovarian reserve (number of eggs available).
However, pollutants like PM2.5 have been shown to reduce ovarian reserve, leading to lower AMH levels and fewer antral follicles.

Pollution can cause:

  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Irregular or painful periods
  • Poor ovulation (or no ovulation)
  • Difficulty in conception
  • Higher risk of miscarriage

Some pollutants act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they mimic or block reproductive hormones, disturbing menstruation and pregnancy pathways. The uterine lining may also be affected, reducing the chances of successful embryo implantation, even during IVF.

The “Environmental Fertility Loop”

High pollution → oxidative stress → poor egg & sperm quality → hormonal imbalance → reduced fertility → increased stress → worsened reproductive health.

This cycle continues unless we actively intervene.

What Can Be Done?

According to Dr. Shelly Singh, awareness and early action are key. Women and couples who are planning pregnancy or undergoing fertility treatment should:

  • Monitor AMH and ovarian reserve early
  • Improve antioxidant intake (e.g., Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Omega-3)
  • Use indoor air filters & N95 masks outdoors
  • Reduce exposure to vehicle-heavy areas
  • Follow medical guidance for hormonal and reproductive health

Final Thought

Air pollution is not just an environmental or respiratory problem — it is a reproductive health challenge affecting the future of families. By recognizing its impact and seeking early, personalized medical care, we can break this environmental fertility loop and ensure healthier generations ahead.

Looking for the Best Gynecologist in Delhi NCR? Contact Dr.Shelly Singh Today!!!