Gestational Diabetes

After discovering they are pregnant, many women decide they can now eat whatever they desire-no consequences.  Surely, the cravings and extra tummy grumbling should be satisfied.  Any extra calories will help that wee one grow healthier and stronger. If only that fallacy of thought is true.  Unfortunately, the truth may be hard to swallow, along with that extra serving of ice cream.  Instead, it is important to understand about gestational diabetes and the reality of eating for two.

When Sweets are not Sweet

Pregnancy is a truly and awesome experience for many women and their families.  The idea of nurturing a baby in the womb is amazing-especially with the first child.  The body goes through a lot of changes in a relatively short period of time.  So, it is no wonder that craving and hunger are more pronounced.  In fact, some women actually feel ill, if their stomachs are left empty for too long.  But, it does not justify eating a massive amount of sweets and indulging every favored treat.

Instead, during pregnancy is the most important time to make healthy eating choices.  After all, most mothers do not feed their children candy bars, ice cream and potato chips.  Instead, they provide a well-balance and nutritious diet that includes fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins.

Sweets will not be so sweet, if mom gains 40-50 pounds during pregnancy, and 30-40 extra pounds are left over, after the baby is delivered. However, it will become an even more serious problem if mom is diagnosed with gestational diabetes because she has been eating for two.  Throwing caution to the wind and eating everything that is not nailed down is only asking for trouble.

Diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes

The free-for-all with food will come to an abrupt and devastating halt, when mom is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  Now, it is absolutely essential to eat to live and not live to eat.  After all, the mom-to-be must begin to live for two, rather than eating for two. In many cases, a proper diet and exercise program will be what is required to control blood sugar levels and bring them back to normal.

Nevertheless, moms that disregard new dietary requirements will ultimately put themselves and their babies in danger. Moms are in danger of developing preeclampsia.  A fancy word for pregnancy high blood pressure, it can cause strokes or heart attacks, regardless of age or health prior to pregnancy.  Mom may also suffer from urinary tract infections, and she is increasing the chances of developing Type II diabetes later in life.

If that is not enough reason to follow prescribed dietary changes, consider the health of that precious baby.  Children of diabetic moms tend to gain weight abnormally fast, which only complicates delivery, among other issues.  The baby is more like to have a severe shock to the system, due to a rapid decrease in blood sugar after birth.  The baby can suffer seizures.   Children adversely affected by gestational diabetes are also more likely to experience jaundice and have developmental problems as they grow.  In addition, the chances of having Type II diabetes as an adult are greatly increased.

Dietary Changes

Rather than taking any unnecessary chances, follow the dietary changes suggested by the doctor and the nutritionist.  First, it is important to check blood sugar levels regularly, after every meal, and see the effects of food. If the dietary changes do not bring the sugar level down to a normal level, it will be vital to contact the doctor.  It may be necessary to begin insulin shots for the duration of the pregnancy.

Second, meal habits much changed.  Mom needs to eat on a regular schedule.  Instead of 3 big meals a day, it will be important to eat 6 small meals each day.  The dietician will provide a meal plan that will include breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and snack.  It will be vital to adhere to the menu plan, regardless of what the other family members choose to eat.

For example, fruit juice or cereal will not be a part of breakfast any longer.  Controlling sugar intake first thing in the morning is essential. Also, it will probably be the lightest meal of the day. Even if mom still feels hungry after breakfast, it will not be more than a couple of hours until the prescribed snack will ease the hunger pangs.  The same can be said for all of the small meals.  In time, it will not seem like such a sacrifice.

In short, the risks of disregarding gestational diabetes are too great.  Not only can it cause harm to the mom, it will put that growing little life in danger now and in the future. Whether it is simply strict diabetes dietary changes, or insulin shots are necessary, it will definitely be worth the sacrifice to deliver a healthy baby boy or girl.

Pregnancy for many families is a cause for celebration, and a time to prepare for the addition of a magnificent little person to the household.  But, pregnancy is not without risks. It has not been so long ago that many ladies died trying to bring a new life into the world.  Thankfully, advancements in medicine and have vastly improved the odds for both mom and baby. But, complications arise. For example, moms that have been diagnosed need to know the six complications of gestational diabetes.

Premature Babies

Because of the diabetes, babies tend to gain more weight than the average baby. However, that does not necessarily mean that their minds are prepared to support that outside the womb. Therefore, the pregnancy will be considered high risk. The doctor will carefully monitor progress of both the mother and the baby. The mom has an increased risk of going into premature labor and delivery.

Treatment may be necessary to help the baby’s lungs develop more quickly, just in case. Also, medications are available to help prevent premature labor. But, since there are no guarantees, the doctor may also prescribe bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy. In some cases the mother may have to be hospitalized, until the baby’s lungs are mature enough to be delivered.

Toxemia

Toxemia is basically a fancy name for high blood pressure due to pregnancy. However, it is no less dangerous than the typical type of high blood pressure. Moms have a greater risk of stroke or heart attack. At this point, age has no bearing. Whether the mother is 20 or 40 years old, the danger is very real.

Mothers with toxemia will be more closely monitored. Regular blood pressure checks will be mandatory. Dietary and exercise changes may be prescribed. If the blood pressure gets too high, it may be necessary for the doctor to take the baby via cesarean section, in order to save the life of the mother and the baby.

Infections

For some reason, women with diabetes seem to have a greater propensity for developing urinary tract infections. Under normal circumstances, expectant moms tend to need to use the restroom more often than other ladies. It sometimes seems that the baby is doing jumping jacks on the bladder.

But, if the urgent need to urinate becomes painful and burns or the sensation of needing to go never really goes away, it is time to call the doctor. Antibiotics should take care of the problem. In fact, the doctor may have some suggestions on how to help
prevent this very uncomfortable complication in the future.

Ketones

Women with gestational diabetes may not be eating enough to support her and the baby. It is extremely important not to skip meals and to closely follow the doctor’s dietary recommendations. Otherwise, the body will start breaking down fat to find another source of energy. These gases produced are called ketones.

Ketones traveled through the blood supply. Unfortunately, that means it can be harmful to the baby. Therefore, it may be necessary to monitor them by testing daily at home. Moms will be taught how and when to perform the tests, and when it is time to call the doctor, if the results are too high.

Diabetes

Of course, the last of the six complications is diabetes itself. Moms that have gestational diabetes are more likely to have the same complication with subsequent pregnancies. In addition, the chances of developing the disease later in life are greatly increased. The experts are still debating whether the propensity to develop diabetes during pregnancy is an inherited trait or simply an unlucky complication.

Either way, the reason really does not matter at this point. How to successfully bring a healthy baby into the world is the main concern. Moms may have to learn how to monitor blood sugar, self medicate with insulin shots, and change dietary and exercise habits. In some cases, the diabetes can be controlled by eating healthier and on a regular schedule. While jumping jacks are not a good idea, the doctor will probably prescribe low impact exercises.

Since moms with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop the same complication in future pregnancies, or have a greater chance of being diagnosed with diabetes later in life, the healthier habits should not simply be for the duration of the pregnancy.  Continue the healthier habits after the baby is born.  If moms plan on nursing the baby, it will be healthier for them as well.  But, moms should simply want to stay healthy for their families.

In short, being diagnosed with a complication like gestational diabetes can be very scary.  But, thanks to advancements in medicine, doctors know what moms need to do, in order to bring the pregnancy to term, with a healthy baby.  But, it will require monitoring and strict health rules to follow, and always keeping the ultimate goal of a healthy baby in mind.