Essay Sample on Maternity Case Study

Glucose Test Challenge is used in measuring Y.L's response to sugar/glucose. It was done on T.L who is pregnant to also screen for gestation period diabetes.

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Glucose test challenge is performed during pregnancy as seen in the case of Y.L, the young Asian woman, who was pregnant.

In such a case, Y.L is found to have high levels of blood glucose, which can cause diabetes type 2. To reduce the blood glucose levels, Y.L is advised to be drinking more water since they will help her in removing excess sugar from the bloodstream through urination. Also, she should be advised to change her eating habits by reducing frequent intake of foods that are poised at increasing her blood sugar levels. It can be established that Y.L has diabetes mellitus, as seen in her blood sugar levels rising to 213mg/dL. Thus, the above instructions are meant to lower the risks of diabetes Mellitus in her life.

Following Y.L's test, there is an indication of the presence of diabetes Mellitus in her, as seen in the risen blood glucose levels to 213 mg/dL, that has exceeded 180 mg/dL limit hence an indication of the existence of diabetes Mellitus in her. It could have been transmitted to her genetically from her father and both of her paternal grandparents through heredity.

Gestational diabetes mellitus refers to the glucose intolerance of any level first recognized during the period of pregnancy, as seen in the case of Y.L: diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus

• Being overweight * seen in Y.L with a BMI of 25
• Family history * father and paternal parents of Y.L had diabetes
• Excessive fat deposition to the central body
• Polyhydramnios: excessive amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac
• Hypertension in the current pregnancy
• Miscarriage history
• The short stature of an individual
• Offspring malformation
• Neonatal death
• Excessive growth of the fetus

For Y.L., the goal of her medical nutrition therapy is to promote her sound control of glucose, whereby she could then be prescribed to do some activities aimed at reducing her blood sugar levels.

For Y.L, in treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus, she should avoid fruit juices, eat reasonable starch portions, drink a cup of milk at a time, and distributing her foods between three meals and about two or three snacks every day.

Medical nutrition therapy for Y.L with gestational diabetes mellitus is higher in fat and protein because fat had starch as the major component, while protein is a liquid form of starch. Starch can be understood to contain high levels of glucose that also raise Y.Ls blood sugar levels, a causative agent of her gestational diabetes mellitus.

Simple sugars that Y.L should avoid:

• Glucose
• Fructose
• Galactose
• Sucrose
• Maltose
• Foods from complex carbohydrates
• Fruits
• Nuts
• Vegetables
• Grains
• Legumes

Since Y.L. has gestational diabetes mellitus, it is important that she takes calcium supplement alongside prenatal vitamins. They will help her in reducing fasting plasma glucose and reducing insulin levels in serum

The purpose of Y.L. being requested to monitor fasting blood glucose is to determine the variation in her blood sugar levels after every meal, hence guiding her on taking foods that cannot raise blood sugar levels.

The rationale for ketone testing is to measure ketone levels resulting from the body burning fat for energy instead, where glucose levels are not enough to be burnt.

Gestational diabetes in Y.L can increase the risk of her baby having excessive birth weight.