It is every woman’s dream to become a mother. The 9 months are also full of challenges. Along with food, there are many important things that need to be taken special care of. This is also because it affects the development of the unborn child.
These days, the changing weather and the increasing pollution is very harmful for the pregnant woman and the baby growing in her womb. Recently, a study claimed that using solid fuels like coal or wood for cooking and heating can greatly increase the risk of gestational diabetes. The study conducted by researchers at Zunyi Medical University in China included 4,338 women, whose average age was 27 years. Of these, 302 women had GDM.
So this is the danger that increases due to pollution. Apart from this, there are many other factors. On this subject, gynecologists said that the development of the fetus can be affected by the mother’s uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, while genetic factors also prevent growth.
Dr Garima Sahni, senior gynaecologist and co-founder of Pristyn Care, says, the growth of the baby in the womb can be affected by many factors. One is the mother having uncontrolled diabetes. High blood sugar levels can cause the baby to be too large or have health problems after birth.
Another factor is lack of nutrition. If the mother does not take a balanced diet, the baby does not get the necessary nutrients to grow properly and this stops its growth. Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy can also slow down the baby’s growth and cause serious health problems.
These days, stress has also become a big reason. Stress can also affect the baby, as high stress levels in the mother can affect the blood flow to the baby. Any infection or high BP can make it difficult for the baby to grow normally.
Dr. Maulshree Gupta, Lead Consultant, Department of Fetal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi, talks about genetic factors. She says, “The development of the fetus is a remarkable process. It is a complex process that shapes the development of the baby.”
Uncontrolled diabetes levels during the first trimester can increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects, such as heart defects and neural tube defects. High blood pressure affects blood flow to the placenta. High blood pressure constricts blood vessels in the placenta, which can reduce blood flow to the fetus. This can lead to other complications.
If a pregnant woman is going through such a situation, what should she do? According to Dr. Maulshree, if a pregnant woman is going through these problems, she should immediately consult a doctor. Special attention to diet and regular exercise can also prove beneficial for her. At the same time, regular checkups including serial ultrasound scans can assess the size, weight and overall health of the baby.