No Result
View All Result
BellyBelly
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
  • Birth
  • New Mothers
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Baby Sleep Articles
    • Your Baby’s Starsign
  • Breastfeeding
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men
  • Parenting
  • Health & Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Recipes & Cooking
    • Relationships
    • Family Travel
    • Men
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
  • Birth
  • New Mothers
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Baby Sleep Articles
    • Your Baby’s Starsign
  • Breastfeeding
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men
  • Parenting
  • Health & Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Recipes & Cooking
    • Relationships
    • Family Travel
    • Men
No Result
View All Result
BellyBelly
No Result
View All Result
Home Pregnancy

Diabetes Drug: A Potential Cure For Preeclampsia?

by Sam McCulloch Dip CBEd
Last updated April 1, 2018
Reading Time: 2 min
Diabetes Drug A Potential Cure For Preeclampsia

Could A Diabetes Drug Cure Preeclampsia?

A new Australian study reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has suggested Metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes, could be used to prevent or treat preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that is life threatening for both mothers and babies. Preeclampsia affects approximately 1 in 20 pregnancies and causes the death of over 60,000 women globally every year. There’s currently no medical treatment or cure for the condition.

Preeclampsia usually occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and is a condition unique to pregnancy. The exact cause of preeclampsia is unknown, although research indicates there is possibly a genetic factor involved.

The condition arises when insufficient blood supply to the placenta causes it to release toxins into the mother’s bloodstream. The condition is progressive, and leads to high blood pressure and potential damage to the brain, liver, kidneys and other organs. In severe cases of preeclampsia women can suffer seizures and fits. Symptoms of preeclampsia can continue after the birth, until the condition is eventually resolved.

Women with preeclampsia require hospitalisation and careful monitoring. Timing is critical, as the only effective treatment for the condition is the birth of the baby. The decision to induce or prepare for an emergency c-section might have to be made very quickly, depending on the condition of both mother and baby.

As a result of compromised placental blood supply, babies can experience oxygen deprivation and growth restriction. The main concern, however, is prematurity. If the condition becomes too dangerous for the mother, then the baby must be born. Babies who are born prematurely are at increased risk of a number of complications, and even death.

Metformin Can Block The Release Of Toxins

Researchers from Melbourne’s Mercy Hospital for Women have found in lab trials that Metformin blocks the release of the toxins from the placenta, and heals the damage done to the maternal blood vessels. The medication also improves dilation of the blood vessels, which in turn reduces blood pressure.

Metformin is currently used to help control blood sugar levels in people who have Type 2 Diabetes. It is a Category B medication, which means it has been found safe for use during pregnancy.

The medication is also inexpensive and does not require special conditions; this increases the viability of using it in low income countries, where the majority of deaths from preeclampsia occurs.

The Editor-in-Chief for Obstetrics of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Roberto Romero, says further research and trials should be undertaken as a matter of urgency, to determine whether Metformin is an effective treatment for preeclampsia, and possibly for other pregnancy complications.

Recommended Reading: Preeclampsia and Symptoms of Preeclampsia.

PREGNANT and in MELBOURNE? JOIN US at
the BellyBelly Birth & Early Parenting Immersion
.
MAXIMISE your chances of getting the birth you want… MINIMISE your chances of
a disappointing or traumatic birth experience. Learn from some of Australia’s
best educators – you’ll feel MORE CONFIDENT heading into birth.
BOOK
NOW!
Previous Post

How ‘Going With The Flow’ Can Set You Up For A Disappointing Birth

Next Post

38 Week Old Baby | Your Baby Week By Week

Sam McCulloch Dip CBEd

Sam McCulloch enjoyed talking so much about birth she decided to become a birth educator and doula, supporting parents in making informed choices about their birth experience. In her spare time she writes novels. She is mother to three beautiful little humans.

Next Post
38 week old baby

38 Week Old Baby | Your Baby Week By Week

Comments 1

  1. Grace says:
    4 years ago

    That is alife saver.I actually lost a child to preeclempsia.

    Reply

Recommended

hard spot in my abdomen

Hard Spot In My Abdomen – Is It Baby?

Last updated January 11, 2021
evening primrose oil to induce labour

Evening Primrose Oil To Induce Labour – Does It Work?

Last updated January 11, 2021
static electric shock while pregnant

Static Electric Shock While Pregnant

Last updated January 8, 2021

Trending

how to conceive a boy

How To Conceive A Boy – 6 Expert Tips to Have A Baby Boy

Last updated January 20, 2021
conceive a girl

How To Conceive A Girl – 9 Tips To Conceive A Baby Girl

Last updated January 20, 2021
cervix dilation

Cervix Dilation – 9 Signs You’re Dilating

Last updated January 20, 2021
BellyBelly

We’re passionate about women and men feeling informed, confident and prepared for pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
  • Birth
  • New Mothers
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Baby Sleep Articles
    • Your Baby’s Starsign
  • Breastfeeding
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men
  • Parenting
  • Health & Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Recipes & Cooking
    • Relationships
    • Family Travel
    • Men
  • Pregnancy Symptoms
  • Pregnancy Week by Week
  • Baby Week by Week

OUR NETWORK


  • bellybelly.com.au

  • www.aroundtheworldpluskids.com.au

  • www.doula-training.com.au
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise

© Copyright 2002–2021 BellyBelly, All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
  • Birth
  • New Mothers
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Baby Sleep Articles
    • Your Baby’s Starsign
  • Breastfeeding
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men
  • Parenting
  • Health & Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Recipes & Cooking
    • Relationships
    • Family Travel
    • Men

© Copyright 2002–2021 BellyBelly, All Rights Reserved.