Gestational diabetes is diabetes which develops during pregnancy. Typically, medications are not used during gestational diabetes treatment unless there is some type of complication involved. However, if diet and exercise is not enough to keep blood glucose levels under control, insulin is sometimes prescribed. Between 10 to 20 percent of women need insulin to control their blood sugar levels. Some doctors may prescribe oral medications for gestational diabetes treatment, but many feel that more research is needed to confirm that these oral drugs are safe (MayoClinic.com, 2012).
For the most part treatment of gestational diabetes requires that you maintain three basic actions: monitoring your blood sugar levels, eating a healthy diet, and exercising. Simply taking care of your body and making sure that your blood sugar is not too high or too low will save you and your baby from many complications. Typically, if a woman can do this, their pregnancy goes on normally. However, women that do not follow this regiment and let their diabetes go out of control can face many problems for themselves and their babies.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Treatment
Monitoring your blood sugar levels is the most important part of treatment for gestational diabetes. This part of gestational diabetes treatment involves checking your blood sugar levels four to five times a day. This should be done first thing in the morning and after meals.
In the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus, it is your responsibility to make sure that your blood sugar levels stay within a healthy range. This may sound difficult but it really isn’t. You simply test your blood sugar by drawing a drop of blood from your finger with a small needle. Afterwards, you place the blood on a test strip and insert it into a blood glucose meter. This is a device which measures your blood sugar level and displays a reading. If pricking your finger and drawing blood is difficult for you, consult with your doctor. There are bloodless glucose meters available.
Keeping a healthy diet is an essential part of any pregnancy, but especially when it comes to gestational diabetes treatment. This is the best way to keep your blood sugar under control. You don’t want to lose weight; you just want to keep from gaining excessive weight. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grain are foods that should be eaten most of the time for successful gestational diabetes treatment. These will give you the nutrition and fiber that you need. Limit refined carbohydrates. This includes sweets. It is also important to eat at the same time of day each day. Many women consult a dietitian to understand portion control and pregnancy weight gain goals.
Finally, exercise daily is the third action you should take to control your blood sugar levels in the treatment of gestational diabetes. Exercise lowers your blood sugar levels by increasing your cells insulin sensitivity. With increased insulin sensitivity, your blood sugar moves into your cells more easily and the sugar can now be used as energy. Exercise is also a great solution for many of the problems faced in pregnancy such as back pain, muscle cramps, swelling, or even trouble sleeping.
You should ask your doctor what amount of physical activity is right for you before beginning any exercises. Most doctors recommend light aerobic exercises. You should exercise daily for about 30 minutes a day. Walking and swimming are great choices for pregnancy, but things like housework and gardening count too (MayoClinic.com, 2012).
