When your doctor tells you that you have gestational diabetes, you may feel a little scared, right? You may be thinking, 'What will happen to me and my baby?' But don't worry. This is a condition that affects many mothers and can be managed well. The most important thing is to control your blood sugar levels and keep them that way. If you do, you and your baby will be healthy and safe. So let's see what we can do to manage this condition.
First, let's focus on our food and drink.
The first and most important step in managing this condition is to follow a healthy diet . Your doctor may suggest that you see a dietitian for this. This is a good idea, as a dietitian can create a meal plan that is specific to you and that you can stick to. This plan should help you manage your diabetes while also providing your growing baby with the right amount of calories and nutrients.
Typically, your dietitian will tell you how many calories you need per day based on your height and weight. A woman of average weight needs between 2,200 and 2,500 calories per day. However, if you are a little overweight, you may be told to reduce that amount to around 1,800 calories.
They will teach you how to balance your diet. The diet they suggest may often look like this:
| Feed type | Percentage of daily calories to be consumed | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 10% - 20% | Chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, lentils, chickpeas, green beans. |
| Fat | Less than 30% | Nuts (cashews, peanuts), avocado, olive oil. (Saturated Fats - should be less than 10%) |
| Carbohydrates | The remaining 40% - about 50% | Brown rice, buckwheat, oats, bread (especially with bran), vegetables and fruits. |
Remember, carbohydrates are starchy foods that our bodies convert into sugar, so it's important to eat them in small amounts throughout the day, rather than eating them in large amounts at once.
Exercise is your best friend on this journey.
If there is no risk to you or your baby, your doctor will definitely recommend that you incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Try to get in at least 15 to 30 minutes of moderate activity most days.
Simply put, when you exercise, the hormone insulin, which helps your body's cells use the sugar in your blood, starts working more efficiently. This makes it easier to control your blood sugar levels.
But this is very important:
- Talk to your doctor and ask exactly what exercises are best for you and your baby, and how long you should do them.
- Not everyone is suited to the same type of exercise. Even simple things like brisk walking or swimming should be checked with your doctor before starting.
Check your blood sugar level yourself.
The best way to monitor the effectiveness of your diet and exercise is to check your blood sugar levels at home. This should be done regularly. The small device used for this is called a glucometer . If you don't have one, your doctor can give you one. He or she will explain how to use it.
Typically, you'll be asked to check your blood sugar levels before and after meals, and an hour or two after each meal . Write down these levels and bring them with you to your doctor's appointment.
Sometimes the help of medication may be needed.
If you can't control your blood sugar levels despite your best efforts, diet, and exercise, your doctor will tell you to start medication. Don't worry about this. This is not a failure on your part. This is to protect your baby .
You can start with a diabetes pill (for example, Metformin). But if that doesn't control your blood sugar, you may need to use insulin injections as the next step. Again, remember that this is all for the baby's safety.
We also pay attention to the baby's development.
When the mother's blood sugar increases, that extra sugar also passes to the baby. Then the baby's body produces more insulin. This insulin acts like a growth hormone. This can cause the baby to grow too big (Macrosomia) .
For this reason, your doctor will pay special attention to the size of your baby during the last few weeks of your pregnancy. If there is any suspicion that the baby is too large, he or she may also perform an ultrasound .
Most of the time, mothers with gestational diabetes can have a normal delivery. However, if the baby is very large, the doctor may suggest a cesarean section.
What happens after childbirth?
After the baby is born, the doctor will check to see if your blood sugar levels have returned to normal.
- Usually, a repeat test is done about 6 weeks after giving birth.
- It is very important to get tested for diabetes at least once a year after that, because those who have had gestational diabetes are at slightly higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes in the future.
Take-Home Message
- Gestational diabetes is nothing to worry about. It is a condition that can be well controlled.
- Your two main treatments are a healthy diet and exercise . Talk to your doctor about these.
- As your doctor says, check your blood sugar levels at home at regular intervals and record them.
- If you can't control your sugar levels with diet and exercise alone, don't be afraid to use the medication your doctor prescribes. It's for your safety and that of your baby.
- Even after giving birth, it is imperative to have regular checkups as prescribed by the doctor.
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