Having a healthy pregnancy is essential to a mother and her baby’s well being, but our modern lifestyle has made it more difficult for women to stay healthy while expecting. Most women deal with aches and pains, discomfort, anxiety, stress, and morning sickness while they’re pregnant. However, some expecting moms develop complications that may increase their and their baby’s risks of other health problems. One such complication is gestational diabetes, which is a condition in which a woman without diabetes develops high blood sugar disorder during pregnancy. In the US, around 2 to 10 percent of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes.
If not carefully managed, this condition can lead to an increased risk of early birth and breathing difficulties in babies. Mothers are at risk of having a surgical delivery, high blood pressure, and diabetes since half of all women who have this condition go on to develop type 2 diabetes in the future. If you’re expecting a baby, you need to have a plan to control your sugar levels for a healthy pregnancy– here’s how to manage and treat gestational diabetes.
Don’t Skip Your Glucose Screening Test
Between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy, expecting moms are usually instructed by their healthcare provider to take a glucose screening test. This test will determine whether you have gestational diabetes, making it a crucial part of your pregnancy care plan. To prepare, you will be instructed to fast from 8 to 14 hours before the test. Once you arrive at the clinic, a blood sample will be taken, then you’ll be asked to drink a liquid that contains glucose. Blood will be drawn again two more times every hour after you drink the glucose.
If you’re positive for gestational diabetes, your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan which may involve daily self-administered insulin injections to lower your blood sugar. You will also be instructed to purchase a glucometer, test strips, and lancets to monitor your sugar levels before and after meals. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of gestational diabetes-related expenses, so it is advisable to get insurance if you’re planning to get pregnant. You can also check your current plan if it includes coverage for screening costs and diabetes monitoring devices.
Know Which Foods to Eat and Avoid
Giving in to your pregnancy cravings can result in blood sugar spikes, especially if you crave sweet or starchy foods. To stay healthy, avoid sugary foods such as cakes, ice cream, soda, sweet pastries, or cookies. High-starch foods like white bread, white rice, and potatoes are also a no-no. You may also want to watch out for foods with hidden sugars and starch, such as salad dressings, sauces, and fast food. During meals, aim to fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, like salad greens, tomatoes, broccoli, and peppers, then fill a quarter of the plate with protein such as lean cuts of red meat, chicken, salmon, tuna, or beans. The rest of your plate should be filled with healthy carbohydrates like brown rice, quinoa, or butternut squash.
Experts recommend eating three meals and two to three snacks spaced evenly throughout the day to avoid blood sugar spikes. Be mindful of portion size, and plan on eating more whole foods rather than filling up on junk or processed food. If you really want something sweet, consider making healthy substitutions. For instance, instead of ice cream, have a cup of plain or Greek-style yogurt topped with low sugar-fruits like strawberries or peach slices. You can also make low-sugar popsicles by blending avocados with some whole milk. To sweeten, add a sugar substitute like coconut palm sugar or sucralose, which are safe for moms with gestational diabetes.
Make Time for Exercise
Pregnant moms can benefit from doing some form of moderate physical activity since it promotes healthy weight gain and improves overall fitness. Women with gestational diabetes, in particular, should make exercise a priority since it can help to keep blood sugar under control. According to the California Department of Public Health, doing simple exercises, such as walking 20 minutes a day can help to lower blood sugar. Other types of gentle exercises such as yoga, swimming, or water aerobics are also highly recommended for pregnant women with gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a condition that should be properly managed and treated to prevent further complications in moms and babies. If you’re pregnant, undergo glucose screening to see if you have this health problem, and ask your doctor to create a treatment and meal plan to control your sugar levels.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
