Gestational diabetes: The best tips for your needs
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. A woman who develops diabetes during pregnancy, but has never had diabetes before, is said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects anywhere between 2 to 14 % of all pregnancies and usually develops during second trimester.
Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes, a condition in which higher than normal blood sugar levels exist in the blood. While any form of diabetes can cause problems if allowed to go untreated, the pregnant mother can, by following the advice of her doctor and with the assistance of her health care team, look forward to a healthy and happy pregnancy that will provide a great start in life for the new baby.
The medical focus on gestational diabetes has generally been one of intervention rather than prevention. Many obstetricians and physicians will monitor a pregnant woman with the intention to pick up gestational diabetes rather than advise her on how she can reduce her risk of developing the condition. This may be due to the fact that little is proven about how or whether gestational diabetes can be prevented. To date, there have been no scientific studies on specific preventative methods for gestational diabetes.
Although there is currently a lack of research on the effects of exercise on the prevention of gestational diabetes, we do know that exercise is extremely beneficial to women who do have gestational diabetes. In some cases, an increase in exercise alone is sufficient treatment for gestational diabetes. Therefore it is logical to assume that if exercise can have such beneficial effects on pregnant women with gestational diabetes it should also have the potential to reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Since the condition involves higher than normal levels of blood sugars, the objective is to do what is necessary to bring them down to safe levels and keep them there, the safe levels being those normally experienced by pregnant women who do not have gestational diabetes. Treatment usually includes the adoption of a special but easy to follow meal plan that provides adequate nutrition while controlling blood sugar levels. The right amount of physical activity and weight gain are also factors that help a successful pregnancy and these would be monitored by the doctor to ensure the intensity of the activity is reasonable and the amount and rate of weight gain is appropriate for the pregnancy and any related risk factors.
Again there is still a lack of empirical evidence to show a link between nutrition and reduced risk of gestational diabetes, however, there is anecdotal evidence of the benefits of a healthy diet. Gestational diabetes (also known as diabetes gestacional) food plans are not particularly different from pregnancy nutritional guidelines in terms of the quantities of nutrients required. The difference lies in the timing, patterns and food combinations. The general recommendation is to eat smaller portions at regular intervals throughout the day. It is also recommended that protein be consumed with carbohydrates as it helps to minimize the demands on the body to deal with blood sugars by not overtaxing the insulin response. It also ensures a more consistent energy supply to avoid the highs and lows in blood glucose levels.
The general recommendations for preventing gestational diabetes, though unproven scientifically, generally follow the kind of healthy lifestyle changes that would be beneficial for anyone, including a pregnant woman. The benefits derived from observing these changes are above and beyond simply the reduction in risk for developing gestational diabetes. Even if a pregnant woman was not at risk for gestational diabetes, it would still be advisable for her to follow such recommendations during her pregnancy.
