Pregnancy can bring you many new things in your life, most of which you would never expect. Some of the things that will change will be pleasant, while others not so. And the most challenging are the ones regarding your health.
One of the scenarios you can struggle with is gestational diabetes, even if you have never had a problem with diabetes or other similar conditions.
Suppose you suspect you have a problem or have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and you would like to know more about this condition. In that case, the best doctors for pregnancy in Jacksonville, FL, will gladly answer all your questions.
You are probably wondering about many things, such as what to eat before a gestational diabetes test or do gestational diabetes and preeclampsia have something in common. And we are going to talk about all of these things.
Be sure to keep reading to learn more about this condition and how to prevent gestational diabetes.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
As the name suggests, this condition is a type of diabetes that occurs during gestation, which is another name for pregnancy. This type of diabetes is just like the other ones, and it affects the way the cells use sugar and causes high blood sugar.
It is vital not to ignore any signs of gestational diabetes as it can negatively affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health. And it can lead to severe pregnancy complications.
However, as much as this condition can be concerning, there’s no need to panic. You can easily manage the symptoms and control this condition by introducing some changes to your lifestyle and daily routines. And one more good news is that this problem sorts itself out after the delivery.
Signs of Gestational Diabetes
The main problem with high blood sugar during pregnancy is often there are no visible or apparent signs or symptoms that would alarm you to suspect anything.
However, women that have been diagnosed with this type of diabetes have noticed they are more thirsty than usual, and they urinate more frequently. So, if you notice this, there’s a chance you may have a problem with high blood sugar.
What Causes Gestational Diabetes
There isn’t enough information about what is the real cause of diabetes developing during pregnancy, even though researchers are tirelessly working on solving this puzzle.
Many got to the one answer that hormones are to blame, as the levels change during the specific period when a woman is expecting a child.
What Are the Risk Factors?
There are some risk factors, and some women are more likely than others to develop this condition. If you have one or more of the listed below, you are more likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy.
- Overweight and obese
- Prediabetes
- Prior case of gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- History of diabetes in the family
The Possible Complications
Pregnancy diabetes is not the worst thing that can happen to you, but it’s not something that you should ignore, as many possible complications could arise.
This condition can lead to high blood sugar levels, eventually leading to other complications. Also, some complications can affect you directly, while others could affect your baby.
Your Baby Is at Risk Of
- Gaining excessive weight
- Type 2 diabetes in the future
- Preterm birth
- Problems with breathing
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Stillbirth
You Are at a Risk Of
- C-section
- Developing diabetes in the future
- Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (high blood sugar and high blood pressure)
Both the risk you face and your baby are severe and shouldn’t be ignored. You should talk to your health care provider and find the best solution to your problem. And the best way to keep yourself and your baby healthy is to eat good food, move around and exercise, and control your blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are severe conditions, and one can lead to the other, so you should consult with your doctor to see if you need some medication.
You’ll also need to do various tests during pregnancy, and you want to consult with your doctor on what to eat before the gestational diabetes test, so you do not compromise the results. Also, you’ll want to continue doing tests even after giving birth, as you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But we’ll also talk about what to eat before the gestational diabetes test below.
How to Prevent Gestational Diabetes
The best thing you can do for your health and your baby’s health is to work on preventing this condition and make a stop to it even before it happens. But how to prevent gestational diabetes?
There’s no perfect recipe on how to prevent gestational diabetes, but the first thing you can do is talk to your gynecologist the moment you start planning your pregnancy. Some tests can be done to check for this condition and if you are prone to getting it.
Other things you can do to prevent it is taking care of yourself and your health and deciding on having healthy habits. But don’t worry; it’s always a good time to start making significant changes.
Also, if you had this type of diabetes during your previous pregnancy and now you plan on having another baby, you should adopt these habits as soon as possible. It will also help you steer away from developing type 2 diabetes in your lifetime.
The best way to prevent it is to:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Don’t plan your pregnancy if you are overweight
- Don’t gain too much weight during pregnancy
It’s crucial to eat healthy if you want to be strong and avoid developing any disorder or health condition. And the best way to do it is to avoid eating processed foods, sweets, and snacks that contain refined sugar and anything with a lot of sodium. You should focus on whole foods, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It would be best to eat nutritious meals throughout the day and don’t exaggerate the portion sizes. Having a diet like this will also help you have a healthy weight even before you get pregnant and maintain one during your childbearing days.
Another critical routine change you should incorporate into your day is exercising. You can walk every day, ride a bike, run, do yoga, go to the gym, or do group training. It doesn’t matter what type of movement you will integrate; everything is good as long as you do it regularly. Once you get pregnant, you should consult with your ob-gyn on the best type of exercise for you to continue to be active.
Final Words
If you are struggling with a condition such as this one, we can help you. This should be a period in your life where you are enjoying your current state, and you shouldn’t worry about other things. And because of that, you need to have excellent medical guidance.
Here at Trogolo Obstetrics and Gynecology, we take pride in our practice and professional approach to any health problem women can have.
We are here for you, and you can always contact us to discuss any problem you are experiencing. Call us today and book your appointment with our clinic, so you can continue to enjoy your pregnancy stress-free.