What is gestational diabetes? When a women has never had diabetes before, but have high blood sugar (glucose) level during pregnancy the condition is called gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is estimated to occur in about 18% of pregnancies. So, how do you get gestational diabetes? It is unknown what exactly causes gestational diabetes.Scientists believe that hormones from the placenta block the action of the mother’s insulin. Since the mother’s body has a hard time using insulin, excess insulin is needed for the body to process blood sugar. It is important for a mother to learn as much as possible about gestational diabetes to protect herself and her baby.
Gestational Diabetes Diet
When a mother learns she has gestational diabetes, she must begin making sure that her blood sugar levels don’t become too high. One reason for this is that high blood sugar levels during pregnancy cause babies of gestational diabetes to be overweight. This causes difficulty in labor and many times these babies must be taken by cesarean section.
Mothers can avoid these types of problems by keeping themselves on a diabetes diet, which consists mostly of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and is low in sugar and carbohydrates such as enriched breads and pasta. Mothers with diabetes gestational problems should also drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Taking daily walks or doing light exercises daily can also help to control blood sugar levels.
Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
Unfortunately, diabetes gestational symptoms are very much like other symptoms caused by pregnancy, so they are very hard for pregnant women to detect. Women with gestational diabetes are generally tested for the condition between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.=
Gestational diabetes really doesn’t affect babies or their mothers until later on in pregnancy, but if you are at risk of having gestational diabetes, you may want to begin eating healthier and staying active early on. A woman is at high risk of developing gestational diabetes if:
- She is obese
- She has had gestational diabetes before
- She has given birth to a big baby before
- She has a strong family history of diabetes
- She has high blood pressure
- She is over 35
Gestational Diabetes Treatment
As stated above, gestational diabetes treatment mostly involves keeping a healthy diet and staying active. Mothers with gestational diabetes also must begin monitoring their blood sugar levels with a glucose meter. Medications are typically not used in a diabetes pregnancy because of the potentially risk to the baby. Some women do have to take insulin injections, however. Towards the end of the pregnancy, doctors typically begin more closely monitoring the baby by ultrasound. The mother may also be referred to a dietician to get advised on their gestational diabetes diet.
