Management of Gestational Diabetes

Management of Gestational Diabetes Management of gestational diabetes should start once the diagnosis is made.

Gestational diabetes is the type of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women. It results from the inability of the body to produce insulin or to use the insulin it produces in using sugar from food that we eat properly. Women with gestational diabetes produce insulin, but the effect of the insulin is blocked by a number of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. This is called insulin resistance, and this often happens about 20 to 28 weeks into the pregnancy. Women who are not diabetics can develop the condition although the management of gestational diabetes can be discontinued as soon as the pregnancy is over.

Screening for gestational diabetes is one of the most common ways to detect the condition early. Today, women with the condition are placed on a management program that includes physician supervision, diet, and exercise to keep their blood sugar levels under control during the pregnancy.

Exercise This is one of the most important components of gestational diabetes management.

Exercise is needed to improve glycemic control in diabetic women. It has also been shown to improve prenatal outcomes. Women with this condition are often encouraged to engage in exercise three to four days a week, for 15 to 30 minutes for each session.

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