25% of pregnant women in Qatar diagnosed with gestational diabetes: doctor

Up to 25% of expectant mothers in Qatar are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, a senior consultant at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) said.
Dr Mohamed Bashir, a diabetes and endocrine consultant at HMC and head, Diabetes Clinic at Women’s Hospital, said the incidence of gestational diabetes is on the rise in Qatar. He stated that the dedicated diabetes clinic at Women’s Hospital receives between 1,200 to 1,500 cases each month.
“It is extremely important for pregnant women to pay close attention to weight gain throughout their pregnancy and to follow their doctor’s directions. Poorly controlled gestational diabetes not only puts the mother at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life, but it also affects her newborn baby’s chance of developing the disease.”
He added that if gestational diabetes is not closely monitored and a woman develops Type 2 diabetes, her future children are at an increased risk of developing the disease.
Iman Mahmoud, senior diabetes educator at the Diabetes Clinic at Women’s Hospital, explained that women with diabetes are classified into two categories: low-risk and high-risk.
“We have patients who range in age from 18 to 45 years old. A diabetes educator offers our patients general counselling about the various types of diabetes and teaches them how to administer insulin injections, manage low and high blood sugar, use a glucometer, and log their blood sugar levels. Diabetes education is also provided to family members to ensure they are equipped to deal with emergencies such as a sudden drop in blood sugar,” said Mahmoud.
While women with pre-existing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can have relatively normal pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies, their pregnancies are considered high risk and should be closely monitored. The Diabetes Clinic at the Women’s Hospital provides these patients with the care they need during and after their pregnancy.