What is Gestational Diabetes and What You Can Do to Control It

Many women who become pregnant are unfamiliar with gestational diabetes until they are diagnosed during their second trimester. If you are currently pregnant or are trying to get pregnant then it is important that you are aware of this condition that affects only about 4% of all pregnant women. Most women are not affected by gestational diabetes but with the increasing obesity rates and un-healthy eating habits it is becoming more of a problem.

Gestational diabetes is a disease that appears during pregnancy and goes away once the baby has been born. In a few instances it does not go away causing the woman to become a type 2 diabetic. Most doctors attribute this problem with the hormonal changes that take place in a pregnant woman but there is still no clear cut known cause. No matter the cause it is a very serious issue that if left untreated can have severely negative health effects on both mother and baby.

Most women who are eventually diagnosed with gestational diabetes are unaware that they have it. This is why it is important that every pregnant woman get tested during their 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. If there are symptoms they will manifest much like any other person who is affected by diabetes. Increased frequency of urination, constant hunger despite eating, general fatigue and lethargy, carbohydrate cravings, increased thirst, and weight loss are all signs of gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels during the term of a woman's pregnancy. Fortunately it is easy to control it effects through changes in diet and exercise frequency. Normally these lifestyle changes are easy to incorporate into daily life and the health benefits far out-weigh any inconvenience they might pose. The changes in diet consist of eating healthy foods and avoiding sugar and other high carb foods. If you are diagnosed your doctor will recommend a dietician who specializes in helping women with gestational diabetes. Working together with your health care practitioners you can create a gestational diabetes diet that best fits your needs.

For more information about the symptoms of gestational diabetes please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here.

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