Maternal health and the health of Australian Babies

Gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. After the baby is born, the mother’s blood glucose levels usually return to normal. Between three and eight per cent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. It is usually detected around weeks 24 to 28 of pregnancy, although it can develop earlier.

Management of gestational diabetes diet – A diet should be low in saturated fats and high in fibre. physical activity monitoring your blood glucose levels – is essential. Regular contact with your diabetes educator or doctor is recommended insulin injections – may be needed to help keep your glucose level in the normal range

After the baby is born After their baby is born, most women will no longer need insulin injections, as gestational diabetes usually disappears. Breastfeeding is encouraged. An OGTT is done six to eight weeks after the baby is born baby’s blood glucose levels are measured to make sure that their blood glucose is not too low.

Pre eclampsia Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure, protein in the urine and swelling of the hands, feet and face. The only cure is delivery of the baby. Affects around 5 to 10 per cent of all pregnancies in Australia. One to two per cent of cases are severe enough to threaten the lives of both the mother and her unborn child. Pre-eclampsia accounts for one in five inductions and one in six Caesarean sections.

Maternal mortality 'maternal deaths' refers to the deaths of women while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy, from causes related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management 6.8 deaths per 100,000 women who gave birth in Australia The leading causes of direct maternal death included embolism (a blockage of major blood vessels) caused by amniotic fluid (accounting for 9 deaths) or blood clot (8), and haemorrhage (7). 'The leading cause of indirect maternal death was cardiac disease (15 deaths), followed by deaths due to psychosocial morbidity (related to mental health and substance abuse issues) (13 deaths),

Perinatal mortality Perinatal deaths comprise stillbirths (fetal deaths) and deaths of infants within the first 28 days of life (neonatal deaths). In 2011, there were 2,562 perinatal deaths registered in Australia

Congenital anomalies is an abnormality that may be detected during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood. The abnormality may affect the function or structure of a body part or alter the baby's metabolism. one baby in every 25 is affected by a birth defect. The 4,000 or so different birth defects range in severity from minor to fatal. There are two main types of birth defects: Structural defects – a particular body part is absent or improperly formed. Some examples include spina bifida, hypospadias and ventricular septal defect (hole in the heart). Metabolic defects – one of the body’s chemicals, such as an enzyme, is missing or doesn’t form correctly. Some examples include phenylketonuria (PKU), galactosaemia and Tay-Sachs disease.

Premature birth Premature babies are born before 37 weeks gestation The lungs are the last organ to mature and respiratory disease is the most frequent complication for a premature baby. eight per cent of babies are born prematurely. Most babies who are premature are born between 32 and 36 weeks gestation, and almost all of these babies grow up to be healthy children. Two thirds of babies born at 24 weeks gestation who are admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) will survive to go home. Around one third of babies born at 24 weeks will develop a significant disability such as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, blindness or deafness.

Complete activity 6.3 page 217