What can I do to prevent gestational diabetes?

Answer 1

Diabetes can develop during pregnancy in a woman who hasn't previously had the condition. This is called gestational diabetes, which affects two to three per cent of pregnant women. If it is not properly controlled, it can lead to problems for the mother or her baby.

Gestational diabetes develops in women during pregnancy because the mother's body is not able to produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that enables the body to break down sugar (glucose) to be used as energy. Without sufficient insulin the amount of sugar in the blood rises.

High blood sugar levels in the mother's body are passed through the placenta to the developing baby. This can cause health problems.

Gestational diabetes usually begins in the second half of pregnancy, and goes away after the baby is born. This makes it different to the more common forms of diabetes which, once they occur, are permanent.

The cause of gestational diabetes is unknown. It is thought that the hormones produced during pregnancy may block the action of insulin. Gestational diabetes can happen if the mother's body can't produce enough extra insulin to counteract this blocking effect.

Although there is no clear reason why some women get gestational diabetes, women are more at risk if they:

-have a family history of type II (adult-onset) diabetes
-are over the age of 35
-are obese
-have previously given birth to a large baby
-have previously given birth to a baby born with an abnormality
-have previously had a stillbirth late in pregnancy

Self-helpThe most important part of treatment is to control blood sugar levels. For many women, this means regular testing of blood sugar (glucose) levels, a carefully planned diet and regular exercise.

A doctor or dietician can give advice about what and how much to eat. A meal plan will probably consist of a variety of foods including plenty of starchy fillers such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, and at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.

It's important to limit consumption of sugary foods like cakes, biscuits and soft drinks. A diet that is low in fat is also desirable. This can be acheived by avoiding full-fat dairy products such as butter and cream, and limiting fatty meat, pies, sausages and burgers. Grilling, steaming or microwaving food rather than frying or roasting means less fat is added during cooking.

Gentle, regular exercise such as walking can help reduce blood sugar levels and promote a sense of well-being. A doctor or midwife can advise about suitable exercise during pregnancy.


Prevention: To help reduce the risk of getting gestational diabetes, women should make healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise and maintaining the correct weight for their height.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

For many women, they simply get diabetes during pregnancy and it immediately resolves itself after the birth of the child. There are certainly a few predisposing factors like being overweight BEFORE pregnancy, a family history of diabetes and if you get pregnant after the age of 25.

While you can't always prevent gestational diabetes, you can lower certain risk factors (like excessive weight gain). Your health is important before, during and after pregnancy. So eat healthy and exercise! There are many abnormalities that can occur with poorly controlled gestational diabetes so prenatal counseling is crucial too.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Try to eat healthy and avoid too many sweets and carbs. They say not to go over the pounds you supposed to gain calculated with how much you weigh. I had it and boy it was torture. I had to give up on so may things but it was worth it, for my son's sake. Some women don't realize that GD is dangerous and has many birth defects if not taken care of. You become a high risk pregnancy then you have to go every week for a test that evaluates the baby's movement. I had to take 2 kinds of insulin then poke it near my belly everyday. I was so squeamish with the needle I thought I was gonna pass out every time I poked myself. The baby can get too big because of the insulin which leads to being induced and/or a Cesarean. So you can have your little cravings just don't go overboard, I learned the hard way. :)

Answer 7

u cannot do anything to prevent it.if u have the tendency for developing it while pregnant,then u surely will.but yes,u can try to achieve ur ideal weight before conceiving it seems that obese women are amongst the likeliest category to develop gestational diabetes.i an currently 27 weeks pregnant with my first child and i was not overweight before i conceived.still i have gestational diabetes.

Answer 8

Eat healthily and don't gain too much weight. Doctors recommend 25-35 pounds in a single pregnancy.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

have a weight gain within normal limits for you during your pregnancy. Your doctor can tell you what your goal weight should be. Eat healthy. Happy Baby to you!!