Understanding Gestational Diabetes and How It Affects Your Pregnancy

Last updated on September 5th, 2019 at 08:48 pm

How was your Glucose Test? Did you move on to the next level and proceed with the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test?

And may be you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the reason why you are reading this post?

I know you’re worried and concern as the word diabetes is associated with blood sugar level monitoring and insulin.

Let me ease your thoughts by giving you the right information of the things you need to know so you can deal with this health situation with confidence.

Read more about The Glucose Tests During Pregnancy in this related post

Understanding Gestational Diabetes and How It Affects You and Your Baby

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman without diabetes develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Who are in high risk for gestational diabetes?

• Older or obese mothers
• Has a family history of diabetes
• Those with polycystic ovary syndrome or other glucose metabolism problem
• Previous pregnancy in which the baby weighed more than nine pounds at birth

Women who fall under this categories are screened earlier for gestational diabetes.

Pregestational diabetes vs Gestational diabetes

In simple words, PREgestational diabetes occurs when you have diabetes before becoming pregnant, while gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy.

What are the risks of having gestational diabetes?

Risks to baby

• excess growth which can lead to possible cesarean delivery.
• breathing problems
• obesity
• type 2 diabetes later in life

Risks to mother

• high blood pressure
• depression
• cesarean delivery
• type 2 diabetes later in life

How To Manage

1. Daily Tracking of Glucose Levels

2. Dietary Changes

• Not eating properly can cause glucose levels to go too high or too low.
• You may be asked to keep a log of what you eat daily.

3. Regular Exercise

• Exercise helps keep glucose level in the normal range.

4. Insulin Medication

• If dietary change and exercise are not enough, you will undergo a medication.

Insulin is safe to use during pregnancy and does not cause birth defects.

My Personal Experience with Gestational Diabetes

I was asked to see an Endocrinologist or more known as diabetes doctor. He advised me to monitor my sugar level daily, do a dietary change with less white and carbs, which means, less rice, bread, pasta and other foods alike.

My ideal result should be:

Fasting < 90
1 hour after breakfast < 120
hour after meal lunch or dinner < 130

I was also required to have the following laboratory tests:

• FBS – Fasting Blood Sugar test
• PPBS – The PPBS test or postprandial blood sugar test is the level of blood glucose that is measured exactly 2 hours from the time you begin your meal.
• HBA1C – The HbA1c test get a good indication of your average blood glucose over the past 8-12 weeks.

The good news is with a healthy dietary change and regular exercise, my glucose level normalized. Hence, the elimination of insulin medication.

Know more of what’s ahead in your pregnancy in my related posts

If you find this pregnancy and gestational diabetes post helpful, please share.

I hope this article on gestational diabetes was able to help you get an overview and understand it better. 

To more experience moms, is there anything more I should add to this? Let me know on the comments below.

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