Treatment for Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women. For most women who develop gestational diabetes, the condition goes away after the birth of the baby. However, this does not mean that it shouldn’t be treated. In fact, if you want a healthy baby, your gestational diabetes must be treated.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed with a glucose test at your doctor’s office or a lab to which he refers you. Blood is drawn, after fasting since midnight the night before, and then you are given a very sweet substance to drink. Two hours later, the blood is tested again, to see how your body is handling the sugar. Gestational diabetes usually occurs in late pregnancy.
In most cases, your baby is not at risk of developing birth defects that are associated with diabetic mothers, if you have gestational diabetes. If the condition is not treated, the baby is at risk of having high blood sugar levels, and this result in a child that has a heavy birth weight, which in turn could lead to childhood diabetes.
Treatment for gestational diabetes starts with a meal plan. Your doctor will discuss your diet with you, and may give you a list of foods to avoid while you are pregnant. He may also ask you to purchase a glucose monitor at your pharmacy, and to test your blood sugar levels daily. Exercise is also important if you have gestational diabetes. Your doctor will suggest exercises that are appropriate for your condition.
If you have gestational diabetes, you should note that this increase your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. Therefore, you need to take preventative measures. Keep your weight down and eat right. This is the best prevention. Also, make sure that you are exercising at least 30 minutes, three times a week. Get your blood sugar tested by your doctor once every two to three years.
Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Diabetes and has helped thousands of diabetes sufferers control their blood sugar. For more articles and resources on easy diabetes management, natural diabetes medication, diabetes symptoms and much more visit his site at: http://diabetes.need-to-know.net/