Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is the type of diabetes that occurs when you are pregnant. Mostly it will be classified as such when you are diagnosed for the first time with it during your pregnancy. Just like all other kinds, gestational diabetes will have an effect on how your cells are able to use the glucose in your body. And as other kinds too, it can directly impact the health of your pregnancy and your baby.

There is always panic whenever one is told of their diabetic status, but if you are an expectant mom, you need not panic because there is some piece of good news for you so far as gestational diabetes is concerned.

With the right healthy foods and some exercises you can control your blood sugar. If necessary, your doctor will put you on medication to help, and so you need not be scared. This will aid to prevent any difficulty that could result from gestational diabetes during delivery.

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

Apart from passing urine frequently and getting thirsty unusually, most women will not show any sign of gestational diabetes.

When do you need to see a doctor?

Like all others, early treatment will prevent further complications. If you have been told you are developing diabetes in pregnancy, the earlier you see your doctor about it, the better. Make sure each time you visit the antenatal, you make it part of your discussion with your midwife.

What are the causes?

Even though there isn’t any outcome of any research that shows the causes of gestational diabetes, it is important to ensure your wight is within normal body mass index before you get pregnant. What also happens is that once pregnancy occurs, things change. Your body has several hormones that ensues that your body’s blood sugar is in allowable limits, but due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy, things get out of control, making it difficult effectively control and process blood sugar. This could cause your sugar level to go up.

Who is at risk of gestational diabetes?

The risk of some women is higher than others. What puts others at risk ahead of others may include.

• Being overweight.
• A dormant lifestyle devoid of activity.
• If you have had gestational diabetes in your previous pregnancy.
• If you have polycystic ovaries.
• If you have a family history of diabetes.
• If you have delivered a baby weighing more than 4.1 kg before.
• Being black puts you more at risk.

How do we prevent it?

Because it is a thing that comes with pregnancy, there is no guarantee that you won’t have it when you get pregnant. It is therefore prudent that you rather develop healthy habits, especially in your eating before you get pregnant.

When you have an active life, and keep to healthy eating habit, you are going to reduce your risk and also prevent yourself from having type 2 diabetes in the future.

• Keep to healthy eating habits. Make sure your foods are not full of fat and have enough fiber. Take more fruits and vegetables.
• Stay active. Research supports the fact that if you exercise before and when you are pregnant, it will help to keep you away from gestational diabetes. At least 30 mins of activity most days in the week is okay. Go on some brisk walks daily, swimming, or visiting the gym occasionally will help.
• As already stated make sure your weight is controlled before you get pregnant. Are you planning to get pregnant? Make sure you stay within your normal body mass index. Take in more fruits and vegetables.
• Don’t become overweight. Being overweight within your pregnant period is not healthy enough. It is okay to gain weight when you are pregnant. However becoming overweight quickly will put you at risk of diabetes during pregnancy.