For any expectant mother, receiving a diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be upsetting. However this condition can be treated with the correct information and assistance. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes in pregnant women. It normally appears in the second trimester of a pregnancy. It impacts the body’s glucose metabolism and this raises the blood sugar levels. Poorly managed gestational diabetes raises many risks. They include preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, cesarean delivery and excessive fetal growth for both mother and child. But the good news is, the risk of these issues can be reduced by 60% with proper care. Diet, exercise and medication as prescribed by your doctor are some of the lifestyle changes and care recommended. You can confidently manage this path with the help of the following seven important guidelines on gestational diabetes.
1. Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels Daily
The foundation of managing gestational diabetes is routine blood sugar monitoring. Your doctor will demonstrate how to use a glucometer to measure your blood sugar levels at certain intervals throughout the day. Checking first thing in the morning before breakfast (fasting) and one hour after the first meal each day is part of the suggested daily testing plan. Many patients test after every meal to learn how different foods affect their glucose levels.
Target blood sugar levels during pregnancy are specific and are important to follow. The targets are below:
- Fasting (first thing in the morning): Less than 90 mg/dL
- One hour after eating: 140 mg/dL
- Two hours after eating: 120 mg/dL
You and your doctor can assess how effective your diabetes management plan is with the record of your blood sugar levels. You and your doctor can make dietary, exercise or medication changes by reviewing these records at each visit in a timely fashion.
2. Follow a Balanced Eating Plan
The most effective strategy for controlling gestational diabetes is undoubtedly eating a healthy diet. A balanced diet guaranties that both mother and child get vital nutrients while helping in the maintenance of stable blood sugar levels. The plate technique is a good way to organize meals. Non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, peppers, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes or cucumber should occupy half of your plate. The high fiber content of these vegetables helps in regulating your blood sugar. They also make you feel full.
Healthy foods like lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, cheese, or tofu should occupy a quarter of your plate. Protein slows the absorption of carbs. They also help in the healthy development of embryos. Fruit, starchy meals or whole grains should occupy the remaining quarter of your plate. High-fiber foods like ragi, chickpeas, whole-grain bread, quinoa, brown rice or other millets are low in glycemic index.
The timing of meals is very much important. Consume three meals and a minimum of two snacks per day. The first meal should always be taken within an hour of waking up. Try to eat every three to four hours throughout the day. This can help you fight high and low blood sugar levels. Before bed it is advised to milk with protein. This can help you during the night as you would not have any meals for more than 8 hours at a stretch.
3. Choose Carbohydrates Wisely
Carbohydrates have a direct bearing on your blood sugar levels. You cannot avoid them entirely because they are needed for energy and proper development of the embryo. Choosing high-quality sources and distributing your carb consumption evenly throughout the day is important.
Choose complex carbs with a low glycemic index and a high fiber content. These foods cause blood sugar levels to rise gradually and slowly. Quinoa, sweet potatoes, lentils, basmati rice, and multigrain bread are some foods with complex carbs and high fiber content. Cakes, pastries, sweetened drinks and fruit juice are some of the sugary foods and drinks. These foods need to be avoided since they can quickly raise blood sugar levels. Watch out for hidden sugars in gravies and sauces like ketchup, chili sauce, and sweet and sour sauces to make sure you are not consuming simple carb food that are high in GI.
4. Be Physically Active
Any physical activity or exercises are a time-tested method for increasing insulin sensitivity and managing blood sugar during pregnancy. Exercise reduces stress, strengthens your heart and bones, increases muscle strength and helps your body use glucose.
- Doing 30 minutes of moderate activity on 5-6 days of the week.
- 15 to 20 minutes of walking after every meal is said to lower post-meal blood sugar level.
- Swimming and stationary cycling are also safe and beneficial options.
Make it a habit to get advice from your doctor before beginning any new workout while you are pregnant. Your doctor can help in determining which exercises are safe depending on your medical condition and fitness level.
5. Take Prescribed Medications as Directed
Maintaining target blood sugar levels requires more than dieting and doing exercise for most women. This is a biological fact of how pregnant hormones impact insulin sensitivity. This has nothing to with any personal shortcomings. Diabetes medicines are helpful to safeguard mother and child when lifestyle modifications are not sufficient. Insulin has a proven safety profile during pregnancy and does not cross the placenta. That is why it is widely recommended for gestational diabetes. Your doctor will instruct you on how to administer insulin injections. Insulin injections are safe and effective. Oral drugs like metformin or glyburide may be considered in certain situations but insulin is still the gold standard. This is because it has a proven track record of long-term safety evidence.
6. Attend All Prenatal Appointments
Managing gestational diabetes requires regular prenatal care. Your doctor monitors your blood sugar trends, evaluates fetal growth and modifies your treatment plan as needed with regular appointments. Make sure to bring your blood sugar log to each appointment. This can help your doctor make better decisions. Your doctor can spot trends, recognize accomplishments and take proactive measures to manage your diabetes with utmost care.
7. Postpartum Follow-up
Gestational diabetes resolves on its own after delivery for most pregnant women. But it is said to cause long-term health consequences. The lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes is higher in women with a history of gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes affects nearly 50% of pregnant women with gestational diabetes. A Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) has to be taken to check if blood sugar levels have stabilized after 6-12 weeks of giving birth. You should adopt a healthy lifestyle where regular exercise and a balanced diet are included in your pregnancy days. This can reduce the chance of developing diabetes in the future. It has also been shown that breastfeeding reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes and postpartum blood sugar levels. All women with a history of gestational diabetes should get screened for diabetes every year.
A diagnosis of gestational diabetes is a call to action. You should never be afraid. You can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. It is possible with careful diet, regular exercise, regular monitoring and the right medical care. These seven crucial pointers discussed above give you a road map for success. They make you take charge of your health while caring for your developing child.
