I have just found out I have gestational diabetes- any tips on what I can do and what caused this?

Answer 1

Your doctor should have you see a nutritionist and he/she will go over with you what you should and should not eat. Only thing I know from my friend who is pregnant now with gestational diabetes is that she has to stay away from breads, pasta, cheese, sweets. But I am not a nutritionist so my advice to you is if your doctor doesn't suggest seeing a nutritionist then you should bring it up to him/her.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes found in pregnant women. There is no known specific cause but it is believed the hormones of pregnancy reduce a womans receptibility to insulin resulting in high blood sugar. Gestational diabetes affects an estimated two to three percent of pregnant women.[1]

Risk factors for diabetes include:

a family history of type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes
maternal age - a woman's risk factor increases the older she is
ethnic background (those with higher risk factors include African-Americans, North American native peoples and Hispanics)
obesity
gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
a previous pregnancy that resulted in a child with a birth weight of 9 pounds or more
Frequently women with gestational diabetes exhibit no symptoms. However, possible symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, bladder and yeast infection, and blurred vision.

Often, gestational diabetes can be managed through a combination of diet and exercise. If that is not possible, it is treated with insulin, in a similar manner to diabetes mellitus.


Poorly controlled gestational diabetes can lead to the growth of a macrosomic or large baby. This in turns increases the need for instrumental deliveries (eg forceps, vacuum and caesarean section). These babies often need specialised care in the post partum period.

In the future the mother is at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Answer 4

I had gestational diabetes with my second child. Early in my pregnancy I noticed that I would get light headed and my heart would race after eating sugary foods (like a donut). After seeing a dietitian, my blood sugar levels were controlled easily by my diet. After a month of checking my levels 4 times a day, I only had to check them twice. I had no other complications and my son was born at 39 weeks, after 3 hours of labor, weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces. Don't let the diabetes freak you out, just be smart, and listen to your ob and nutritionist.

Answer 5

We don't know what causes gestational diabetes, but we have some clues. The placenta supports the baby as it grows. Hormones from the placenta help the baby develop. But these hormones also block the action of the mother's insulin in her body. This problem is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother's body to use insulin. She may need up to three times as much insulin.

Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy. Glucose builds up in the blood to high levels. This is called hyperglycemia.

Because gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby, you need to start treatment quickly. Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of pregnant women who don't have gestational diabetes. Treatment for gestational diabetes always includes special meal plans and scheduled physical activity. It may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections. You will need help from your doctor, nurse educator, and other members of your health care team so that your treatment for gestational diabetes can be changed as needed.

Answer 6

Your doctor should send you to a dietician for meal plans. Walking is a great way to get exercise to help lower your blood sugars, but too much can make your blood sugar go to low and that is not good for you or your baby either. I was told that my blood sugar fasting in the morning had to be between 70-94. It was like 110, and I had to go on oral meds around 14 weeks. Oral meds are not given in the first trimester because they do not know the risks on the baby. I had to be on insulin when I was pregnant with my son.

Answer 7

I did not have it but I have known three women who have. Basically, they had to change their diets to be more in line with the South Beach Diet - no white sugar, no white flour, very little in the way of starchy carbs, mostly protein, fruits and vegetables. You should confer with a nutriotionist or your doctor regarding your specific needs. Also, one friend who, after following the strict dietary recommendations, still had high insulin levels, found that taking a walk every morning really helped keep her levels in check.

Answer 8

it just happens not sure the reason why ask your doctor what foods are best to eat and avoid check your sugars things that make it go up don't eat anymore DRINK WATER water Will help to keep it more stable when my sugar jumps i drink 2 to 3 glasses of water. You should be watched CLOSE and try your best to exercise and eat better the extra sugar causes the baby to get to big to fast but, the baby may be 8 9 pounds and be pre mature with under developed lungs.

Answer 9

gestational diabetes does not have a cuase, it just happens to some women. You will need to talk to your ob, he will have a list of foods to avoid and what you can do to help stay healthy.

Answer 10

Talk to your OB GYN doctor about this issue