Posted By Meenakshi Anupam
If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or are worried it could be a factor in your pregnancy, you probably have a lot of questions and are definitely not alone.
Thankfully, gestational diabetes can often be managed with diet and exercise alone, and it doesn’t mean that you won’t have a healthy pregnancy.
Let’s talk about gestational diabetes, how it’s treated, and what you can do to help tackle it with the right foods and activity.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes only occurs in pregnant people. That means you can’t get gestational diabetes unless you’re pregnant. Gestational diabetes is defined as high blood sugar that develops during or is first recognized during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the way that your body uses insulin changes. Insulin is a hormone that allows your cells to absorb and use glucose, or sugar, for energy. You’ll naturally become more resistant to insulin when you’re pregnant to help provide your baby with more glucose.
In some people, the process goes wrong and your body either stops responding to insulin or doesn’t make enough insulin to give you the glucose you need. When that happens, you’ll have too much sugar in your blood. That causes gestational diabetes.
Keep reading for tips on how to help prevent gestational diabetes. We also cover risk factors and early signs and symptoms.
What are the complications?
Gestational diabetes can cause concerns for both you and baby, but don’t let it make you anxious. Here are some complications you may encounter that can be avoided by managing your health with your doctor.
Extra glucose in your body can make your baby gain weight. A bigger baby puts you at risk for having a more difficult delivery because:
· baby’s shoulders can get stuck
· you can bleed more
· the baby may have a hard time keeping their blood sugar stable after birth
Gestational diabetes also increases your risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
In most cases, gestational diabetes disappears after your baby is born. However, for some people, high blood sugar may persist after pregnancy. This is called type 2 diabetes.
- Risk factors
There are several primary risk factors for developing gestational diabetes, including Trusted Source:
· being overweight or having obesity
· having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
· having a close family member with type 2 diabetes
· being African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, or a Pacific Islander
· having prediabetes
Early signs and symptoms
Many women with gestational diabetes do not experience significant symptoms. The symptoms may also be difficult to distinguish from those that occur due to regular changes during pregnancy.
Possible early signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes include:
· extreme thirst
· fatigue
· frequent, large-volume urination
· sugar in the urine
· numerous bladder, vaginal, or skin infections
· blurred vision
· nausea
What foods should you eat?
During pregnancy, morning sickness, cravings, and food aversions can make it challenging to eat a nutritious diet.
However, eating well can help prevent gestational diabetes and ensure that a woman only gains a healthy amount of weight during each trimester.
Healthful food choices include:
· lean proteins, such as beans, fish, tofu, and white poultry
· healthful fats from nuts, olive oil, coconut oil, and other plant-based fat sources
· whole grains, such as brown rice, pasta, oatmeal, and bread
· low-fat dairy products, such as Greek yogurt
· non starchy vegetables
· fruits
It is best to avoid:
· processed foods
· sugary beverages, including store-bought coffee drinks, energy drinks, juices, and sodas
· extra or added sugar
Other steps for a healthy pregnancy
It’s not just food alone that can help you stay healthy with gestational diabetes. In addition to maintaining a well-balanced diet, there are other things you can do to have a healthy pregnancy:
· Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Don’t be afraid to incorporate a wide range of activities, both for your health and for enjoyment. Just remember to speak to your doctor before starting any new exercises (in case you get the urge to start parkour!).
· Don’t skip meals. To regulate your blood sugar levels, aim to eat a healthy snack or meal every 3 hours or so. Eating nutrient-dense foods regularly can help keep you satiated and stabilize blood sugar levels.
· Take your prenatal vitamins, including many probiotics, if they’re recommended by your doctor.
· See your doctor as often as they recommend — they want you healthy.
Summary
If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, know that with the right diet and exercise, you can have a healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
Talk to our dietician about the right combination of healthy foods, physical activity you can enjoy, and recommended treatments to keep yourself and your little one healthy and strong.