How To Manage Diabetes And Pregnancy!

By Author: Reeta Menon
Total Articles: 20
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Everyone knows fluctuating blood sugar levels is a reason for diabetes, but did you know, the blood sugar levels can fluctuate temporarily as well? Yes, during pregnancy, the blood sugar levels can fluctuate which can lead to a condition called gestational diabetes. Similar to normal diabetes, gestational diabetes also has two types- A1 and A2. A1 gestational diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise but A2 gestational diabetes is much severe and might need insulin dosage. Gestational diabetes condition only persists until the time of pregnancy but there's a risk that your new-born might get type 2 diabetes as well. The most common gestational diabetes symptoms you should look out for are as follows:

• Frequent thirst
• Frequent hunger
• Frequent urination

What causes gestational diabetes?
Your pancreas is responsible for releasing insulin, but during pregnancy, there are a lot of hormonal changes that causes the glucose to get build-up in the bloodstream. Usually, the pancreas deals with excess glucose by releasing insulin. But here it fails to do so, resulting in ...
... gestational diabetes.

Determining gestational diabetes early is the best way to prevent any complications during pregnancy. We've put down a few tests that can determine, if you're suffering from gestational diabetes or not. Gestational diabetes usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy. Mostly it's between week 24 and 28, depending on your gestational diabetes symptoms. A glucose screening test will be suggested by your doctor as it's the most favorable option to determine gestational diabetes. During the test, you're asked to consume a sweet drink, so that your blood sugar levels rise. About an hour after the drink, a normal blood test is taken to see how your body manages the excess sugar. If your sugar levels are higher than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), an oral glucose tolerance test could be suggested as well. Glucose tolerance test will give the accurate results of your blood sugar levels during meal intervals. If the results of both tests indicate irregular blood sugar levels, you may have gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes management
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, consult your doctor as soon as possible to ensure a healthy delivery. Here's what you can do to keep track of your gestational diabetes symptoms.

• Check your blood sugar levels at least 3-4 times a day.
• Stick to a healthy diet to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Work out a plan with the doctor to ensure you're getting adequate nutrition for the baby's development. Avoid sugary snacks as much as possible and switch to natural alternatives instead like fruits, carrots and raisins.
• Exercising always helps, 30 minutes of moderate activity like walking, swimming and cycling is the best way to tackle gestational diabetes.
Keep track of your weight and your baby’s development. Consult your doctor on the insulin dosage if the symptoms are much severe. Note down blood sugar levels as much as you can during the day to avoid any health complication for the child and yourself.

Diabetes and pregnancy can be managed with certain measures. Proper diagnosis and changes in lifestyle routine help you deal with the condition more effectively. Please consult a doctor as soon as possible for all the necessary guidance.