An Overview of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a unique type of diabetes that strikes while a woman is pregnant. Affecting approximately 4 percent of all pregnant women, this illness is caused by the body being unable to process insulin properly, causing high levels of blood sugar, much like Type 2 diabetes. This affliction usually occurs around the fifth or sixth month in a pregnancy, and often disappears after the child is born.

Gestational diabetes can be a problem for both the mother and the child. If gestational diabetes is left untreated, side effects may result in the baby, including a high birth weight, jaundice, or lower than normal blood sugar levels. The mother is also affected in gestational diabetes. A cesarean section operation may need to be performed if the child is overly large due to untreated gestational diabetes. If you are found to have gestational diabetes, the commonly recommended treatment is to follow a strict diet plan. Doctors can help to provide you with a plan that fits your individual condition. Most commonly, doctors recommend that a large number of sweets be cut out of the diet to keep glucose intake down. While simple sugars like those found in confectionaries and ice cream need to be avoided, natural sugars such as those found in fruits may be allowable. Well-balanced meals are also important to consume, and following the food pyramid can be a great first step in establishing a gestational diabetes diet.

In addition to following a balanced diet, those with gestational diabetes are also often asked to exercise regularly. Exercise helps to keep the blood sugar level moderated, as well as making you feel better. While pregnancy limits the options of exercises you may be able to do, walking is usually exercise enough when done regularly. The longer and more often you exercise, the better your body can control its blood sugar levels. However, caution must be taken when exercising with pregnancy. If labor pains and cramps occur or if vaginal bleeding or your water breaking occurs, it is important to call your health care professional immediately.

While experiencing gestational diabetes, you should undergo blood sugar tests regularly to monitor your blood sugar levels, ensuring that your diet and exercise is proper. Blood sugar levels for those with gestational diabetes should be less than 105 milligrams per deciliter when fasting for a number of hours before taking the test. 2 hours after eating a meal, blood sugar levels should be less than 120 milligrams per deciliter. If your levels are found to be too high, the doctor may prescribe external insulin to help your body process the glucose.

Post birth, gestational diabetes commonly goes away after several weeks. To ensure that your gestational diabetes condition is gone, you should get a blood test performed by your doctor one or two months after the child is birthed. While gestational diabetes usually goes away, it is important to remember that you have a higher risk of gestational diabetes upon your next pregnancy and a better chance of getting diabetes later in life. For this reason, it is important to stay healthy, exercise, and follow a good diet plant to ensure that you are in good health.