What is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes is a special kind of diabetes that happens only during pregnancy. Normally, as food is digested, it turns into sugar (glucose) that goes into your bloodstream. Your body makes a substance called insulin that helps your cells use this blood sugar. Changes that occur in your body while you're pregnant cause your blood sugar to be too high. This can be risky for both you and your baby. You can take steps to control your blood sugar and reduce these risks.
What causes Gestational Diabetes? As a baby develops, the placenta makes several hormones that can block the way insulin acts in the mother, leading to insulin resistance. This means your body's cells can't turn blood sugar into energy, which causes blood sugar to rise. After the baby is born, a mother's blood sugar usually returns to normal.
Screening for Gestational Diabetes For women of average risk screening for gestational diabetes should be done at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. If you are at high risk, your blood will be checked at your first prenatal visit. The following factors increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes: • Obesity •
Previous history of gestational diabetes
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Sugar in the urine
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A parent or sibling with diabetes
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Polycystic ovary syndrome or other glucose metabolism problem
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Previous pregnancy in which the baby weighed more than nine pounds at birth
Risks to Your Baby •
Your baby may grow too large
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Your baby's organs may not be fully developed before birth
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Your baby's blood sugar may be low after birth
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Your baby could be born stillborn
Risks to You
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High blood pressure
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More likely to have bladder, kidney and vaginal infections
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Develop too much fluid in the uterus, which may cause early labor
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Your delivery may be harder and recovery may take longer
Managing Gestational Diabetes Controlling your blood sugar while pregnant is the best way to manage gestational diabetes. You can do this by eating right, getting exercise and checking your blood sugar. Eating right • 5 servings of fruits & veggies, 3 servings of whole grains, 2-4 servings of milk or milk products •
Breakfast = 30 grams of carbohydrates
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Lunch and Dinner= 45-60 grams of carbohydrates
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Snacks= 15-30 grams between each meal and bed.
Exercise: • Aim for 30-60 minutes a day •
Try breaking up daily exercise into 2 or 3 sessions
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Walking, swimming and low-impact aerobics are the safest things to do.
Avoid activities in which you jump, turn, twist, stop or start too quickly, or lift heavy weights. •
Checking Blood Sugar • You will be provided with education on how to monitor your blood sugar using a meter Check blood sugar when you get up and 2 hours after breakfast, lunch and dinner. •
After Pregnancy: Your blood sugar will most likely return to normal after delivery. Gestational diabetes is a warning that you are at risk of getting diabetes later in life. You are also more likely to
have gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy. There are steps you can take to reduce these risks. •
Take care of yourself by keeping your weight down and regular exercise
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Breastfeeding may help lower your blood sugar
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Planning future pregnancies- your blood sugar needs to be back to normal
Reduce future risk of Type 2 Diabetes Women who have gestational diabetes are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. To help reduce your risk, lose weight if you're overweight. Be as active as you can. Eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods. Have your doctor screen your regularly for diabetes.