Gestational diabetes is a disease that usually occurs in pregnancy, characterized by high blood glucose levels and occurs only during pregnancy. After delivery it usually disappears. It can have serious effects on the baby if it is not treated, so today we are going to talk about some tips to prevent gestational diabetes.
Why does it occur?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes quite common that occurs only during pregnancy. This is produced by the effect of hormones in our body, which interfere with the work of insulin. Our body is not able to produce or use the insulin it needs.
This can lead to malformations in the baby, heart and / or respiratory problems, increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, or it can put the baby's life at risk. It's something very serious that we must monitor and treat as soon as possible so that it does not have effects on our child or on our own health.
How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?
Gestational diabetes is detected through O'Sullivan's test. It is a test that is carried out on a pregnant woman between weeks 24 and 28. It allows determining the level of glycemia in the blood after ingesting 50 grams of glucose.
If your result is equal to or greater than 140 mg / dl, it means that you have tested positive for gestational diabetes. Another confirmatory test will have to be performed through an oral glucose overload, which must be done on an empty stomach. A previous blood test will be done, then 100 grams of glucose dissolved in a liquid is ingested and after 1, 2 and 3 hours the blood sugar levels will be analyzed. If there are two or more values equal to or greater than normal, the result will be positive.
Tips to prevent gestational diabetes
- Exercise. Being pregnant does not mean that we have to be still. You can exercise according to your condition and your circumstances allow it, moderately and regularly. It will make you feel better, it will keep you active, it will improve your blood sugar levels, it will help you at the time of delivery and it will be good for your baby. If you want to know which exercises are the best. Do not miss the article Can you exercise while pregnant?
- Take care of your diet. Eat in a healthy and balanced way to prevent diabetes, in addition to being very important for both mother and baby. Avoid processed foods and sugars. Eat 5 or 6 meals a day so that they are well distributed throughout the day, this will make your metabolism more efficient.
- Beware of carbohydrates. Try to eat small amounts of good carbohydrates to avoid the bad ones. They are the nutrients that most influence blood glucose.
- Increase your fiber intake. It slows down the digestion and absorption of food. The ideal would be about 30 grams a day in your diet.
- Lower your BMI level. If you haven't gotten pregnant yet, try lowering your body mass index to reduce your chances of gestational diabetes. A BMI greater than 30 greatly increases the chances of suffering from this disease, in addition to negatively affecting fertility.
- That the weight gain is gradual. You have to control the amount of kilos that are taken during pregnancy, both in excess and in defect.
- Do the necessary checks. Follow all the medical controls during pregnancy to detect as soon as possible any details that need to be addressed. Check blood sugar levels during pregnancy. If it is not treated, the consequences can be very serious, and on the other hand, if it is detected in time with the appropriate treatment and actions you can have a healthy pregnancy.
Because remember ... health must always be taken care of, but when it comes to another life even more. These tips will not save you 100% from gestational diabetes, but you will be less likely to get it.