Understanding The Gestational Diabetes Diet

Women with preexisting diabetes who become pregnant are at risk for fetal complications along with risks to their own health if and when complications of diabetes occur. About 4% of all pregnant women in the United States will contract gestational diabetes during their pregnancy.

It is believed that the stress of pregnancy is one of the causes of gestational diabetes because once the baby is born it goes away. Because of the risks associated with pregnancy and diabetes it is important that any woman diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy follow a gestational diabetes diet.

Whether the mother has preexisting diabetes or gestational diabetes there is an increased risk of fetal abnormalities and mortality because of the hyperglycemia caused by the insulin resistance. Any woman with gestational diabetes should receive nutrition counseling by a registered dietician and every effort should be made to control blood glucose levels.

Changes that take place during pregnancy greatly affect diabetes control and insulin use. Some hormones and enzymes produced by the placenta are antagonistic to insulin reducing its effectiveness. Maternal insulin does not cross the placenta but glucose does. This will cause the fetus's pancreas to increase insulin production if blood glucose levels are too high.

This increase in insulin levels causes the most typical characteristics of babies born toe diabetic mothers; macrosomia which is a larger than normal body size. New babies can also suffer from other conditions such as respiratory difficulties, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, or jaundice.

Individualization of a gestational diabetes diet is contingent on maternal weight and height. The diabetes diet plan should include provision for adequate calories and nutrients to meet the needs of the pregnancy and should be consistent with established maternal blood glucose goals.

Self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important part of any diet plan because it gives vital information about the impact of food on blood glucose levels. When blood glucose monitoring begins during a pregnancy the minimal daily SMBG should be take place four times a day. Blood glucose goals during a pregnancy are as follows.

Fasting - less than 95 mg/dl

1 hour after a meal - 140 mg/dl

2 hours after a meal - 120 mg/dl

The frequency of the self monitoring can be decreased once blood glucose control is established. It is important to continue checking glucose throughout the pregnancy though.

Desired weight gains and nutrient requirements are the same as for established pregnancy guidelines: 2 to 4 pounds for the first trimester and 1 pound per week for the second and third trimesters based on body mass index before the pregnancy. Calorie adjustments for the first trimester are not needed. During the second and third trimesters, an increased energy intake of approximately 100 to 300 kcal/day is the recommendation.

High quality protein should be increased by 10 g/day and can be easily met with one or two extra glasses of low-fat or skim milk or 1 to 2 oz of meat or meat substitute. All pregnant women should also take 400 ug/day of folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects and other congenital defects. As with any pregnancy drinking alcohol should be avoided.

Any restriction of calories should be approached with caution. In order to prevent ketosis a minimum of 1700 to 1800 calories per day of carefully selected foods must be eaten. Eating less then this amount is not advised under any circumstances. Weight gain should still occur even if the pregnant woman has had considerable weight gain before the onset of their gestational diabetes. Every pregnant woman with gestational diabetes should be individually evaluated by a registered dietician to create a gestational diabetes diet that fits her specific needs.

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Understanding Gestational Diabetes

For women, diagnosed with gestational diabetes, caring for diabetes when pregnant is a great concern. Depending on the way the diabetes progresses, a medication may be necessary. One of the most popular medications used for gestational diabetes, is insulin. The use of insulin will be instructed by your health care provider, and can be very easy. But for those who do not have this disease, they may be interested in preventing gestational diabetes. Fortunately, there is plenty of information on both of these topics. So no matter what your individual situation is, you will be able to find the information you need, quickly.

Caring for diabetes when pregnant, may be a popular topic, for those with gestational diabetes. But this disease does not have to be particularly concerning. If you follow the steps your health care provider gives, you should find it simple, caring for diabetes when pregnant.

Most doctors handle gestational diabetes through the use of dietary changes and exercise. The pregnant woman, who is caring for diabetes, when pregnant, will simply institute these changes. She will make better food choices, as her way of caring for diabetes when pregnant. The better food choices you make the healthier you and your baby will be.

Depending on the way this form of diabetes progresses, a medication may be necessary. One of the most popular medications used for GD, is insulin. The use of insulin will be instructed by your health care provider, and can be very easy.

Understanding the risk factors of this disease is crucial to preventing gestational diabetes. Some risk factors, such as family history, or race cannot be changed. But other risk factors, such as obesity, can be used in preventing gestational diabetes. Women willing to exercise, monitor their weight, and make dietary changes, can lessen their chances with this disease.

There are other ways for pregnant women to prevent developing gestational diabetes. One of these is to maintain a healthy weight. Pregnant women are expected to gain weight. It is a natural part of the pregnancy process. But they do not have to gain excessive weight. Monitoring your weight is a great way of preventing this form of diabetes.

Regular exercise, is also a way to prevent this condition, as well. Regular exercise is known to keep one's blood sugar levels within a safe range. Not only does exercise help to maintain your levels, it also promotes overall health. It assists you in the process of monitoring your weight.

There are also home remedies that can address those susceptible to gestational diabetes. Many of these can work to affect blood sugar issues, you may already have. One of these is the use of a supplement. Garlic for instance, is a known sugar regulator. And chromium picolinate is used to keep one's sugar levels low. One natural home remedy is huckleberry, in various forms. Huckleberry, promotes the production of insulin in the body.

It is wise to consult your physician before using even home remedies to address your gestational diabetes. Although there may be no harm done, it would be better to be safe, rather than sorry. Remember, that anything taken affects not only you but your baby, as well. This is why, consulting your doctor is best.

You can find helpful information about preventing gestational diabetes and everything you need to know about caring for diabetes when pregnant at Aha! Baby.

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