Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life. It is an exciting and challenging time and requires special care to ensure the health of both mother and baby.

However, pregnancy can also be fraught with complications, one of which is the risk of miscarriage. Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before the 20th week, and it can happen due to a variety of reasons, including diabetes.

Diabetes increases the risk of miscarriage, but a recent study has found that anti-diabetic medication could lower the risk of miscarriage during pregnancy.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes blood sugar or glucose. Glucose is the primary source of energy for your body’s cells, but to enter your cells, it needs a hormone called insulin.

Insulin is produced by the pancreas, a gland located behind your stomach. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin or the body becomes resistant to insulin, causing glucose to build up in the blood. There are three main types of diabetes:.

Type 1 diabetes – In this type, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes – In this type, the body becomes resistant to insulin, and the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to compensate.
Gestational diabetes – This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after giving birth. However, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

What is miscarriage?

Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before the 20th week. It can happen due to a variety of reasons, including genetic problems, hormonal imbalances, infections or chronic diseases, such as diabetes.

Miscarriage is relatively common, with up to 20% of known pregnancies ending in miscarriage.

Diabetes and miscarriage

Diabetes increases the risk of miscarriage significantly. In women with diabetes, the risk of miscarriage is about twice as high compared to women without diabetes.

High blood sugar levels and other diabetes-related complications can damage the developing fetus, leading to miscarriage or stillbirth. Women with diabetes are also more likely to have complications during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, or premature birth.

Anti-diabetic medication and miscarriage risk

A recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has found that anti-diabetic medication could lower the risk of miscarriage during pregnancy.

The study analyzed data from over 1.2 million pregnancies in Denmark between 2004 and 2017, including 25,505 pregnancies in women with diabetes. The researchers found that women with diabetes who took anti-diabetic medication had a significantly lower risk of miscarriage compared to women who did not take medication.

The risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and birth defects was also lower in women who took medication. The study suggests that anti-diabetic medication can effectively control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage.

Types of anti-diabetic medication

There are several types of anti-diabetic medication, and they work in different ways to lower blood sugar levels. The most common types include:.

Metformin – Helps the liver produce less glucose and improves insulin sensitivity.
Sulfonylureas – Stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
DPP-4 inhibitors – Helps the body produce more insulin and reduce glucose production.
GLP-1 receptor agonists – Stimulates insulin production and reduces blood sugar levels.
SGLT2 inhibitors – Prevents the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose and lowers blood sugar levels.

Conclusion

Pregnancy can be a challenging time, especially for women with diabetes who face a higher risk of complications, including miscarriage.

However, the recent study suggests that anti-diabetic medication could significantly lower the risk of miscarriage during pregnancy. The study highlights the importance of early and effective management of diabetes during pregnancy to ensure the health of both mother and baby.