|
Gestational Diabetes
Treating gestational diabetes
Because gestational diabetes can hurt you
and your baby, you need to start treatment quickly. Treatment for
gestational diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of
pregnant women who don't have gestational diabetes. Treatment for
gestational diabetes always includes special meal plans and scheduled
physical activity. It may also include daily blood glucose testing and
insulin injections. You will need help from your doctor, nurse educator,
and other members of your health care team so that your treatment for
gestational diabetes can be changed as needed.
For you as the mother-to-be, treatment for
gestational diabetes helps lower the risk of a cesarean section birth
that very large babies may require. Sticking with your treatment for
gestational diabetes will give you a healthy pregnancy and birth, and
may help your baby avoid future poor health.
Gestational diabetes -- Looking ahead
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after
pregnancy. But once you've had gestational diabetes, your chances are 2
in 3 that it will return in future pregnancies. In a few women, however,
pregnancy uncovers type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is hard to tell whether
these women have gestational diabetes or have just started showing their
diabetes during pregnancy. These women will need to continue diabetes
treatment after pregnancy.
Many women who have gestational diabetes go
on to develop type 2 diabetes years later. There seems to be a link
between the tendency to have gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes both involve insulin
resistance. Certain basic lifestyle changes may help prevent diabetes
after gestational diabetes.
Losing weight Are you more than 20% over
your ideal body weight? Losing even a few pounds can help you avoid
developing type 2 diabetes.
Making healthy food choices Follow simple
daily guidelines, like eating a variety of foods including fresh fruits
and vegetables, limiting fat intake to 30% or less of daily calories,
and watching your portion size. Healthy eating habits can go a long way
in preventing diabetes and other health problems.
Exercising Regular exercise allows your body
to use glucose without extra insulin. This helps combat insulin
resistance and is what makes exercise helpful to people with diabetes.
Never start an exercise program without checking with your doctor first.
Back
|
