PT health Life – Whether you have diabetes before pregnancy or gestational diabetes, the most important thing is to keep your blood sugar stable. There are 5 ways for mothers with gestational diabetes to control the progression of the disease.
1. What is gestational diabetes ?
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is diabetes that develops during pregnancy . In most women, after pregnancy ends, diabetes usually disappears and blood sugar levels return to normal. The disease usually does not pose as serious a danger as it does to pregnant women who were diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes is not dangerous if well controlled with diet, exercise and medication if necessary. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes need to be closely monitored and of course, there are still risks. Gestational diabetes can lead to the risk of premature birth as well as other complications, especially if it is not controlled and treated early.
Maintaining target blood sugar levels during pregnancy often feels like a balancing act.
On the one hand, you keep your blood sugar level low enough to avoid symptoms of hyperglycemia. Controlling blood sugar levels can avoid symptoms of hyperglycemia, including headaches, fatigue, loss of concentration and blurred vision.
On the other hand, you must avoid having your blood sugar level drop so low that you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia including shakiness, lightheadedness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and fainting.
2. 5 steps to control blood sugar
Most women with gestational diabetes will give birth to completely healthy babies. However, to do so, you may need to change your lifestyle to develop a healthy pregnancy and avoid any risks to your baby (including premature birth, overweight birth and birth defects). respiratory failure).
Management involves making healthy choices and you need to consult with a professional when you first receive a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
1. Follow a healthy diet
Because eating the right diet is an important factor in controlling diabetes, you should not worry too much or create a diet yourself. Instead, talk to your health care provider to ensure it is tailored to your individual health and specific condition.
A healthy diet involves balancing the right amount of carbohydrates to give you the energy and glucose you need, but not so much that your blood sugar levels become unbalanced. This may require you to count your carbs each day and plan your meals daily, making sure you have just the right amount of starches, fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy and fats. .
2. Exercise moderately
Moderate exercise is not like doing chores or a stressful class. It requires you to engage in physical activities such as walking, swimming or taking a prenatal aerobics class. Doing so can help your body regulate insulin better and thus keep blood sugar levels under control.
3. Maintain a healthy weight
Whether you are overweight or normal weight, you need to maintain control of your weight gain throughout your pregnancy.
Depending on your weight and height at the time of conception , your doctor will tell you how much weight you should gain at each stage of your pregnancy.
Losing weight during pregnancy is not only harmful but can also be dangerous. Absolutely do not start any weight loss program when you are or intend to become pregnant. Instead, focus on keeping your weight gain within recommended limits with proper nutrition and exercise.
4. Monitor blood sugar levels
To maintain blood sugar control, you will need to test your blood sugar regularly. Your doctor will instruct you on how to measure and how many times to measure, as well as how to record it to monitor your blood sugar. You can measure your blood sugar up to 5 times per day.
Test your fasting blood sugar first thing in the morning before breakfast.
Check 1-2 hours after breakfast.
Check 1-2 hours after lunch.
Check 1-2 hours after dinner.
Check right before going to bed.
5. Use insulin if needed
Even if you stick to your diet and exercise regimen, you may still need to take insulin to keep your blood sugar under control. Don’t worry too much about using insulin affecting your pregnancy; this is simply taking additional steps to prevent complications that cannot be completely controlled by diet and exercise.
If insulin is prescribed, your doctor will show you the appropriate method, time, and dosage. With your doctor’s monitoring and guidance, you will be able to achieve the necessary controls to ensure a normal, healthy pregnancy .
