If you have gestational diabetes, you'll need to keep your blood sugar under control to protect your and your baby's health. To do that, you'll have to make some lifestyle changes.
What Diet Plans Help Control Gestational Diabetes?
Your doctor might suggest you meet with a registered dietitian to help you make a diet plan you can stick with. This plan should address the gestational diabetes while also providing your growing baby with enough calories and nutrients.
Your dietitian will recommend the number of total daily calories a woman of your height and weight should get. About 2,200 to 2,500 calories per day is the norm for women of average weight. If you're overweight, you may need to lower that to about 1,800 calories per day.
The dietitian can teach you how to balance your diet. They'll probably suggest you get:
- 10% to 20% of your calories from protein sources like meats, cheeses, eggs, seafood, and legumes
- Less than 30% of your calories from fats
- Less than 10% of your fat calories from saturated fats
- The remaining 40% or so of your calories from carbohydrates like breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables
What Kind of Exercise Is Good for Gestational Diabetes?
Your doctor may tell you to add exercise to your weekly routine if it's OK for you and the baby. Try to do some kind of mild-to-moderate activity for 15 minutes or half an hour on most days. This will help your body use insulin better, and that helps control blood sugar levels. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much exercise is right for you.
How Often Should I Check My Blood Sugar with Gestational Diabetes?
Make sure the diet changes and added exercise get your blood sugar levels under control. Test your levels regularly — before meals and one or two hours after meals. If you don't already have a blood glucose meter to use at home, your doctor will probably give you one and teach you how to use it.
When Is Medication Needed for Gestational Diabetes?
If your blood sugar remains high despite these changes, the doctor may prescribe diabetes pills to keep it in check and protect your baby. If they don't do the job, the next step may be insulin injections.
Chart Your Baby’s Growth
Depending on how well controlled your diabetes is and how your pregnancy is progressing, the doctor may track your baby's size more closely during the last weeks or months before your due date. They might request an ultrasound if the baby appears to be growing very large.
While most women with gestational diabetes are able to have a normal labor and vaginal delivery, some doctors prefer to deliver the baby earlier than the due date. Yours may suggest a C-section if the baby grows too large.
After delivery, the doctor will check to make sure your blood sugar levels have returned to normal. You'll need to have your levels rechecked about 6 weeks after delivery, and then yearly after that.
How does managing gestational diabetes protect my baby?
Untreated gestational diabetes could result in:
- Macrosomia (a larger-than-average baby), which could cause problems during delivery
- Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) during birth
- Breathing problems during birth
- Being born early or stillborn
- Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life
What follow-up care occurs after delivery?
Blood sugar levels should go back to normal once you give birth. But to be sure, your doctor will test you about 6-12 weeks after your baby is born. About 50% of people with gestational diabetes have type 2 diabetes later in life. Regular exercise and eating healthy foods can lower your risk.
Takeaways
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can happen during pregnancy. Your doctor might suggest working with a registered dietitian to come up with a meal plan that's healthy for you and your baby. They might also encourage physical activity that's safe to do during pregnancy. You may also need medications if these steps aren't enough to control your blood sugar. Managing gestational diabetes is important because it can affect your baby's health if left untreated.
Gestational Diabetes FAQs
What is the best medication for gestational diabetes?
Experts typically recommend insulin first to treat gestational diabetes. Metformin is the next option.
What should you avoid if you have gestational diabetes?
Avoid (or try to limit) eating foods high in carbohydrates, such as desserts, bread, and soda.
