Dr Sani Audu, a Consultant Gynaecologist with a private hospital in Abuja, has advised women to engage in regular physical exercise to avoid the risk of having gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Audu gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman without diabetes develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

According to Audu, the condition which usually occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy could be avoided when women stay healthy and prepare themselves for pregnancy.

“If a woman has been overweight before getting pregnant, she should endeavour to exercise regularly and eat healthy diets.

“Women must eat more of vegetables and fruits and limit sugary and carbohydrate meals.

“Usually, some women may not experience any noticeable symptoms of gestational diabetes while some women may experience mild symptoms like fatigue, increased urinary urgency and snoring.

“When gestational diabetes is not properly checked in pregnancy, it leads to a high risk of high blood pressure, big babies which might lead to Caesarian emergencies and stillbirth,” he warned.