
Rates of gestational diabetes, a dangerous pregnancy condition, have surged by 70% across Australia, increasing the risk of complications for both mothers and babies.
Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar during pregnancy, which raises the likelihood of mothers developing type-2 diabetes and can lead to difficult births.
Chief Medical Officer of Diabetes Australia, Professor David Simmons, warned that the condition can result in larger babies, which makes delivery harder and increases the risk of complications like preeclampsia and preterm birth.
In a study of over 1.8 million women, the national rate of gestational diabetes rose from 8.2% to 12.2%, with the Northern Territory seeing the most significant increase.
The obesity epidemic in Australia is cited as the biggest risk factor for the rise in gestational diabetes, with unhealthy eating and reduced physical activity playing major roles.
Experts are urging people from certain ethnic groups and low socioeconomic backgrounds to be particularly cautious, as healthy food may be harder to access or more expensive.
Early consultation with a GP during pregnancy is crucial for managing and preventing gestational diabetes, allowing at-risk individuals to receive support in monitoring their weight and glucose levels.