Won’t it be shocking for you to know that even pregnancy can cause diabetes? Yes, you heard it right. Pregnancy may cause Gestational Diabetes, a kind of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in those women who otherwise did not have diabetes. Every year, nearly 2-10% of pregnant women in USA are affected by gestational diabetes. It has also been seen that nearly 50% of women with gestational diabetes likely develop type 2 diabetes. Managing gestational diabetes in the right way is very important for having a health pregnancy and baby.
It is not very hard to prevent gestational diabetes with the right measures taken. First, lose weight if you are trying to get pregnant and maintain your regular physical activities. Get tested regularly during pregnancy to begin timely treatment if you need to and protect yours and your baby’s health. Complications include macrosomia (big baby), high blood pressure with possible protein in urine during pregnancy or after delivery, premature birth, low blood sugar in baby, and development of type 2 diabetes later in life.
Check blood sugar regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy, small and frequent meals. Consult a dietitian. Moderately intense regular physical activity is good in lowering blood sugar, making you more sensitive to insulin so your body won’t need as much. Consult your physician or physical therapist before starting an exercise protocol. Once pregnant, never try to lose weight unless your doctor tells you to do so. Monitoring your baby’s growth and development is very important. See your physician immediately if your careful measures fail.
Gestational diabetes usually goes away on its own after delivery. Your blood sugar level will be tested 6 to 12 weeks after child birth to make sure your levels are back to normal. If you still test positive, your physician may start treatment for diabetes. Even if your blood sugar is back to normal after child birth, gestational diabetes puts you at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Get tested every 3 years to make sure your blood glucose levels are normal. Being careful can save your and your child’s life. Learn More
