Diabetics can control the disease and lower risk of complications

"Women with pre-existing diabetes are considered to have high-risk pregnancies as compared to the general population. However, people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower risk of complications." This was stated by Dr Lumaan Sheikh, Senior Instructor and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), speaking on 'Diabetes in Pregnancy' at a programme held in Hyderabad on April 27, 2007 under AKUH's 'Signs, Symptoms and Care' series. Dr Sheikh highlighted the fact that babies born to diabetic mothers are five times more likely to be still-born, twice as likely to be at risk of having a major birth defects and to be of more than 4 kilograms birth weight. In this regard, she called for a modification of diet and lifestyle with a focus on avoiding obesity to help prevent or delay diabetes developing later in life.

Dr Sheikh said that with a high blood sugar level during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, diabetic mothers can give birth to excessively large babies. These newborns may have very low blood glucose levels at birth and are also at higher risk for breathing problems and jaundice. She explained important facets of diabetes in expecting women, reporting that poorly controlled diabetes before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause major birth defects in five to ten per cent of pregnancies. Maternal complications related to high blood sugar levels include raised blood pressure, increased risk of infections and worsening of pre-existing diabetic complications such as eye disease and kidney disease. In worst cases it can even lead to a premature death.

Dr Abdul Monem, Assistant Professor and Consultant Anaesthetist at AKUH, explained that Epidural is the most effective method of pain relief in labour. This makes the process of labour and delivery almost painless in more than 95 per cent of cases and incidence of any ill effect on the baby or mother is in fact very low.

Dr Rozina Sikandar, Assistant Professor and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at AKUH, stresses that despite the general public's awareness of family planning, only one in four couples is currently using any form of contraception. She called for proper awareness of different available options, and their efficacy and benefits. Contrary to popular misconception, the use of oral contraceptive pills is protective for malignancies such as ovarian and uterine cancers.

As part of its outreach programme and societal commitment to creating awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment, AKUH has organised over 230 'Signs, Symptoms and Care' programmes in Karachi, Hyderabad, Quetta, Nawabshah and the UAE, benefiting more than 45,000 people. AKUH's Patient Welfare Programme offers financial assistance to those patients who are unable to afford the medical cost of treatment. In 2006, more than 74 per cent of all patients treated at AKUH were from low- to middle-income groups. Since the inception of this welfare programme in 1986, over Rs 1.6 billion has been disbursed to more than 300,000 needy patients.