A 32-year-old pregnant woman was recently found to have high blood sugar starting from the 28th week of her pregnancy, but she did not seek treatment for it. By the time she reached the 40th week of pregnancy, the fetal heart rate was slow, and unfortunately, when she arrived at the hospital, the fetus was stillborn. This devastating outcome occurred during her fourth pregnancy, with a history of one miscarriage and a second child who weighed 4 kg at birth.
During this pregnancy, at 28 weeks gestation, the woman was diagnosed with high blood sugar but chose not to receive treatment. Subsequent prenatal check-ups revealed that the fetus was large and that the woman had polyhydramnios. Despite experiencing symptoms such as increased thirst and frequent urination, the woman did not perceive these as dangerous indicators.
When the expectant mother went to the doctor at 40 weeks and found out about the slow fetal heart rate, she was immediately transferred to Bach Mai Hospital where the fetal heart was ultimately lost. The medical professionals had no choice but to perform a cesarean section.
Dr. Nguyen Quang Bay, the Head of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Bach Mai Hospital, emphasized that the patient overlooked many risk factors and signs of diabetes, such as a family history of type 2 diabetes, previously giving birth to a large baby, and high blood sugar levels combined with symptoms of diabetes.
It is crucial that pregnant women with risk factors like advanced maternal age, a history of large babies, family members with diabetes, or being overweight or obese undergo screening for gestational diabetes in the early stages of pregnancy. Regular monitoring and timely treatment of gestational diabetes are essential to prevent adverse outcomes for both the mother and the baby.