Costs & Guidelines to Manage Gestational Diabetes for Malaysian Mothers

Gestational diabetes affects approximately 1 in 5 expectant mothers in Malaysia. Whether newly diagnosed or simply looking to educate yourself, this guide aims to empower you with knowledge and resources to manage gestational diabetes.

Additionally, we'll break down the financial aspects, giving you a clear picture of potential expenses related to gestational diabetes and its management. This will help you plan ahead and ensure the best care possible during your pregnancy.

How does diabetes during pregnancy affect the mother and baby?

Pregnancy during diabetes is medically called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

More commonly known as gestational diabetes, GDM is when a pregnant woman who didn’t have diabetes before develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. This typically occurs in the second or third trimester and goes away after the baby is born.

Although it is typically a temporary condition, gestational diabetes can increase the chances of complications for both mother and baby. According to a medical study published in “Sains Malaysiana” under Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the risks of gestational diabetes for Malaysian mothers include:

• Macrosomia (abnormally large baby with birth weight over 4kg):
  04 times more likely than normal pregnancies.
• Cesarean delivery (C-section):
  31 times more likely than normal pregnancies.
• Pre-eclampsia (hypertension in pregnancy):
  44 times more likely than normal pregnancies.

The potential costs associated with these complications are as follows:

Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing jaundice, a condition caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the blood that leads to yellowing of the skin. The potential costs associated with treating neonatal jaundice are as follows:

Managing gestational diabetes through diet and lifestyle changes

The good news is that gestational diabetes can often be effectively managed with the right care and adjustments to your daily routine. By making informed lifestyle and dietary changes, you can keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range and support your well-being and your baby’s development.

Here’s how you can take control:

• Focus on nutrient-rich foods
  Focus on nutrient-rich foods with low glycemic index (GI), such as whole grains like oat and barley, lean proteins, and lean white fish without high levels of mercury such as tilapia to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
  

  Nutrient rich foods with low GI	Cost range
  Rolled oats (800g)	RM8 - RM11
  Barley (500g)	RM4 - RM10
  Lean beef	RM28 - RM52
  Skinless chicken breasts (1kg)	RM13 - RM36
  Tilapia (1kg)	RM14 - RM18

• Reduce intake of white rice
  White rice, a carbohydrate with high GI, can significantly impact blood sugar levels. Since white rice is a staple in the Malaysian diet, it can be difficult for many Malaysian mothers to reduce it. The good news is that you can switch to rice with a lower GI, such as brown or basmati rice.
  

  Alternate rice grains with low GI	Cost range
  Brown rice (5kg)	RM20 - RM33
  Basmati rice (5kg)	RM33 - RM50

• Practice portion control
  Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can prevent large fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Avoid skipping meals.
• Engage in regular physical exercise
  Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can help your body use insulin more effectively, which is crucial for managing blood sugar levels. Activities like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga are generally safe for pregnant women and can make a big difference.
• Monitor your blood glucose
  Regularly checking your blood sugar levels is essential to managing gestational diabetes.

If you need extra help with your diet and exercise, you can use diet apps, talk to a dietitian, or get a gym membership and a personal trainer. To easily check your blood sugar at home, consider getting a home blood glucose monitoring kit.

Here is a summary of estimated costs for these products and services.

Medical interventions & supplements for gestational diabetes

If blood sugar levels cannot be controlled through diet and exercise, your doctor may put you on insulin therapy. Insulin is usually administered via injections using a syringe, insulin pen, or insulin pump.

Certain supplements, such as Vitamin D and probiotics, may help support overall health and manage blood sugar levels. The costs of insulin injections and recommended supplements for gestational diabetes are below.

Conclusion

With careful financial planning to support the costs of managing gestational diabetes, you can better be better prepared to support a healthy pregnancy for both yourself and your baby.

For financial support to diagnose or monitor gestational diabetes, look for medical benefits that offer full health screening packages, at the same time don’t forget to look for female insurance packages – to ensure that you are well protected too.

💡 The information provided above is purely for educational purposes.