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You are probably aware of how common both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are in the United States. The chances are that you know someone suffering from this disease. But did you know that a woman’s chances of developing Type 2 diabetes significantly increase during pregnancy? While it is not irregular for a woman to develop diabetes during pregnancy, the good news is that it can usually be treated and resolved through a diet and treatment plan developed by your gynecologist. Women in Katy, Texas, continue to trust Dr. Taryll Jenkins at Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine to guide them through gestational diabetes issues.
You have taken care of your body, followed a healthy diet and exercise plan, and lived a generally healthy life, but suddenly you find yourself with spiked blood sugar during your pregnancy. How could this happen?
The fact of the matter is that this is not an uncommon situation. Women in the middle of a pregnancy are prone to increased blood sugar and gestational diabetes. That is not necessarily because you are doing anything wrong. The placenta can produce an overabundance of hormones that impair the ability of your body’s insulin to act correctly as your baby develops. The job of insulin in the body is to promote the movement of glucose and sugar from the bloodstream to your body’s cells to be utilized as energy. Gestational diabetes, which can develop during pregnancy, tends to develop when the hormones produced by your placenta create an elevation of blood sugar levels which can create risks for the developing fetus and the mother. Some of these risks for the fetus can include:
Health risks associated with gestational diabetes are not limited to the fetus. The mother can also face increased risks of developing Type 2 diabetes post-birth. If not managed properly, gestational diabetes could also lead to increased blood pressure and a severe medical condition called preeclampsia, which causes an interference of blood flow to the placenta, cause organ damage, and even lead to heart disease.
At Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine, we will be with you every step of the way so that any potential risk factors, including gestational diabetes, can be identified. Your lifestyle plays a significant role in how your pregnancy will unfold. Expecting mothers with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater are at a greater risk for gestational diabetes.
Dr. Taryll Jenkins and his team are here for you through every step of your pregnancy and will provide customized visits that cater to your needs as an expecting mother. That includes postpartum services, which will help you return to a healthy and active lifestyle after your pregnancy. It is important because less than 25% of women who experienced gestational diabetes and then returned to their ideal body weight experienced any further problems or developed Type 2 diabetes. You can reach us at 855-346-8610.
We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all
stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L.
Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of
Medicine from Meharry
Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the
University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.
Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological
Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie
Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today,
she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with
high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive
volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program
in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.
Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.
Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her
Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University
of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the
Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive
years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior
Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee
Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local
and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.
Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.