Gestational Diabetes

A doctor diagnoses gestational diabetes.  The mother-to-be is going through a myriad of emotions, including anger, denial, and guilt.  Although these and other emotions are completely natural, it is important not to dwell on the negative.  It is time to learn how to treat gestational diabetes.

Delay is Dangerous

Disbelief is a common feeling, because the woman

does not feel any different than the day before, when she had no idea that the body is not processing sugars correctly.  However, it is extremely important to understand that any delay in beginning to treat gestational diabetes only increases the danger for both mother and baby.

It is vital to use the emotions to develop a fight attitude, rather than flight.  Do not give up and try to hide in ignorance.  Diabetes will not go away.  Treatment for gestational diabetes must begin immediately, to give both mom and baby a better chance of successfully completing the pregnancy.

Mom is not Alone

Although the health care team cannot make a mom take care of herself and the baby on a daily basis, she does not have to feel all alone.  Once the metabolic disorder is discovered, the doctor will schedule appointments more closely together.  At first, the visits will commence every two weeks.  At that time, the routine blood draw is tested for excessive amounts of sugar in the system.

As the pregnancy progresses, the appointments will be scheduled every week, especially if it is difficult to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.  The entire medical team shares the same goal with the mother-to bring this pregnancy to term and deliver a healthy little boy or girl.  Nevertheless, it is the mom’s responsibility to heed the medical treatment plan and do everything possible to stay healthy.

The Medical Team

An individual diagnosed with gestational diabetes will get to know several professional caregivers quite well, before the pregnancy comes to term.  It will take more people, in addition to the doctor, to make sure the diabetes is under control.  The list includes the:

• Dietician
• Therapist
• Technician

Each trained professional teaches mom how to treat diabetes; and, these experts will help monitor each specific aspect of the pregnancy.  Changes and adjustments are made, if necessary.

Dietician

The dietician teaches mom what and how to eat, in order to help control the gestational diabetes.  A healthy diet is prescribed.  In addition, the frequency of the meals will be determined.

If the mother already has a problem with excess weight, the healthier diet may result in no more weight gain, and in some cases weight loss. Nevertheless, the growth of the baby is closely monitored.  Even if mom does not gain any more weight throughout the pregnancy, the baby should still receive all of the nutrition required to arrive at a healthy weight.

In truth, the new eating habits should be maintained after the baby is born.  Since mom is at increased risk of developing type II diabetes later in life, it is important to get down to a healthy weight and do whatever is necessary to avoid a permanent diagnosis.

Therapist

A therapist will be called to discuss exercises appropriate for pregnancy.  Mom should not enroll in an aerobics class, especially if unaccustomed to such activities.  However, a brisk walk will probably be prescribed on a daily basis.

Exercise helps burn the extra sugars in the body.  Therefore, it is also a great weapon in treating gestational diabetes.  In some cases, the doctor will want mom to only do upper body exercises, especially if it is already late in the pregnancy.  The therapist will discuss those exercises that can still burn away that extra sugar, without stressing out the mom or the baby.

Technician

A technician will probably be called to teach the expectant mother how and when to test her blood sugar.  Before meals, after meals, following exercise, first thing in the morning or the last thing at night before bed, a regular routine for testing a drop of blood with a meter will be established. In addition, a visit to the technician is important, if the doctor finds it necessary to prescribe insulin shots.

If shots are required, mom will learn how to self-medicate.  A dose of insulin in the morning or at night may be all that is required. However, in order to more closely mimic the regular release of insulin in a healthy body, the doctor may prescribe up to 4 shot per day at regular intervals.

In short, learning how to treat gestational diabetes is vital for the health of the mom-to-be and the baby.  Wallowing in negative emotions or delaying treatment is not an option.  Caring for a precious child does not begin at the moment of birth. It should be a priority all through the pregnancy.  An expert medical team will help mom know what to do, and complications to watch for, but it will be her responsibility to take care of herself and her baby.

Staying healthy during pregnancy is vital.  After all, mom is now responsible for the well being of the baby.  She cannot eat sugar and give her baby fruits and vegetables.  Baby eats what mom ingests.  But, in the event of a metabolic disorder, it takes more than good nutrition to prevent more serious complications. Moms help control gestational diabetes with exercise.

The Importance of Physical Activity

Gestational diabetes is a result of

the body’s inability to create enough insulin to properly metabolize sugars in the system.  In some cases, the doctor will have to prescribe regular insulin shots, to give the body the help needed to bring sugar levels back down to normal.

In all cases, the doctor will prescribe a mandatory diet plan and an exercise program. Changing how and when food is consumed will control the intake of sugar. Exercising will help the body burn the excess sugar that is hard for the system to metabolize. Contrary to what many people believe, it does not require strenuous exercise to burn excess sugar.  The key to better health is movement.  Since every mom and pregnancy is different, the doctor will prescribe the exercises that are best.

How to Exercise

Sometimes mom will quit exercising, after discovering they are pregnant.  Fearful of having a miscarriage or doing some sort of harm to the baby, it seems reasonable to be careful and put the feet up as much as possible.  While it does not hurt to be pampered to some degree, normal life should not stop simply because the womb is incubating a baby.  Unless complications arise, and the doctor says otherwise, it is important to stay as active as possible.

As long as mom does not suffer fatigue or feel undo discomfort, exercise is good for her and the baby.  With a normal pregnancy, many moms exercise until the moment they go into labor. Nevertheless, moms should never start a strenuous program that they are not already accustomed to enduring.  The doctor will have specific criteria.  Some of the workouts that might be recommended are:

• Upper Body Exercises
• Walking
• Swimming

For women that are having additional complications with pregnancy, or simply too far along to start any new activity, the doctor may prescribe upper body exercises.  Instead of being on her feet, mom may sit in a chair and move her arms and shoulders, while holding 2 pound weights in each hand.  It may be something as simple as holding a can of vegetables in each hand, outstretching the arms, and rotating the arms in circles.  It is not strenuous, but it gets the body in motion, and will help control gestational diabetes.

Walking is great exercise for the moms that are not restricted from such activity.  After a meal, take a walk around the block.  Enjoy the sunshine or the cool of the evening.  Make it a family outing.  In fact, some moms believe their delivery is easier because they are in the habit of walking every day.

The doctor may also suggest swimming as the recommended form of exercise.  Low impact, it is also cooling and relaxing.  It does not necessarily feel like any type of workout.  Low impact water aerobics may also be a fun way to control sugar levels.

When to Exercise

Generally, people without a metabolic disorder choose when they prefer to exercise.  Some individuals prefer getting up extra early in the morning and working out before a shower and breakfast.  Others opt to exercise in the evenings.  For moms diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor will probably prescribe a specific time of day.

In addition, it will be extremely important to monitor blood sugar before and after working out.  It can be very dangerous to have low sugar count, as well as an abnormally high sugar level.  It is paramount to determine how exercise affects mom as an individual.  Eating habits and insulin shots may have to be adjusted, in order to accommodate the new program for good health.

In short, moms need to help control gestational diabetes with exercise. With the help of medical professionals, an individualized plan will be established.  However, it is essential to monitor blood sugar, in the event that the exercise plan needs to be adjusted.  The workout does not have to be strenuous, in order to be effective.  So, if mom is farther along, and being on her feet is not recommended, the doctor can prescribe upper body exercises to do while sitting in a chair.  The idea is to use up that extra sugar in the blood stream, so that the body does not have to work so hard to process it, if insulin production is way down. As long as the doctor is monitoring the program, do only as requested.  If pain or fatigue becomes a problem, talk to the doctor and have the plan adjusted.  Do not simply give up.  In fact, hopefully the healthy habits will continue even after the baby is born.

Around the 24th week a pregnancy, all moms-to-be are tested for diabetes.  As the baby begins to grow bigger, the body must produce more insulin to compensate.  If this does not happen, mom may have to begin a regimen of gestational diabetes insulin injections.

Just Maybe

If mom is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the doctor will prescribe a strict diet change and exercise.

For many expectant moms, changing eating habits and burning off excess sugar with activity is enough.  For example, since blood sugar levels tend to be higher in the morning, breakfast will be light and without fruits or juices.

Exercise is also an important part of every day.  For at least 30 minutes, or two 15 minute sessions, it may simply mean doing upper body exercises or taking a nice walk after a meal.  For moms with other small children at home, childcare and housework might be all it takes to help keep blood sugar levels under control.  But, with proper diet and exercise, just maybe mom will not need insulin shots.

Insulin Injections

The thought of self-medicating with insulin injections is pretty scary at first.  What if there is an air bubble in the syringe?  What if it is done wrong?  It is going to hurt?  Is the amount of insulin in the shot correct?  With so many questions and unknowns, it is perfectly natural to be apprehensive and worried.

However, the doctor and other health care providers will make sure mom understands exactly what to do and when, before she leaves to go home.  Even children with diabetes learn how to regulate their insulin. In no time at all, it will simply become habit to monitor blood sugar and self-medicate as required.

No Needles

For patients with a phobia against needles, it might be necessary to come up with an alternate method of providing insulin for the body.  A few people simply cannot bear to give themselves shots.  Unless another family member or friend is around all of the time, and willing to take on the responsibility, something else must be done.

Unfortunately, the health care team is not available every time mom will likely need a boost of insulin.  However, there are shots that work on air pressure rather than needles.  It is basically a pump syringe.  When mom puts it next the skin, the device forces it beneath the epidermis. Painless and with no needles, women with gestational diabetes are able to self-medicate.

No Pills

In researching diabetes medication, mom-to-be may have read that some people simply have to take an insulin pill each day.  How simple it will be to add a pill to the prenatal vitamin every morning.  Unfortunately, women that are pregnant should not take the insulin pill, even if they already had diabetes and have been used to it in the past.

Oral medications hit the stomach and are digested and absorbed similar to food.  Under normal circumstances, it is not a problem.  However, during gestation, everything mom swallows is shared with her baby. Just as mom should no longer have an alcoholic beverage, oral diabetic medication can go straight to the baby.  Too much of the medicine can enter the bloodstream of the infant and blood sugar levels will drop dangerously low.  The treatment may be easier, but the potential diabetic complications are simply too great to take a chance.

Worth It

Yes.  Changing dietary habits, exercising, and self-medicating with insulin can be a pain especially for those that are not used to the effort.  It is one more thing to remember, when expectant parents already have so many other concerns that involve the addition of a little person to the family.

Nevertheless, doing as the doctor prescribes, without delay, is well worth it.  Care for a baby begins long before he/she enters the world and the umbilical cord is cut. Babies are not shelved and taken down when mom and dad want a cuddle or someone with which to play. Being a parent is full of sacrifices.  But, the goal is always to raise a happy and healthy child that will grow up to be a productive member of society.

Mom should always be concerned about what they ingest when they are pregnant or nursing.  Any good mother will do anything to prevent harm from visiting her children.  A baby in the womb is no exception.

Following prescribed care for gestational diabetes, including the insulin shots, is necessary to prevent birth defects, potentially deadly complications for both mom and baby, and difficulties during the birth and immediately after separation from mom.  In fact, it is important to continue following these same healthy habits for a lifetime to reduce mom’s chances of being diagnosed with Type II diabetes later in life.

So, follow the new meals plans to the letter, exercise to burn off the excess sugars, grin and bear those insulin shots, and be rewarded with a healthy baby and a healthier mom.