What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Pregnant women may temporarily develop diabetes during the gestational period (pregnancy), called gestational diabetes. Diabetes is the result of increased blood sugar or glucose levels. Gestational diabetes can cause health issues for the mother and the baby, requiring prompt treatment. The exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, and it is hard to prevent it altogether. Metabolism alterations during pregnancy are believed to be the primary factor leading to gestational diabetes. However, the risk of developing gestational diabetes can be lowered by adopting various factors.
Is Obesity or Being Overweight Linked to Gestational Diabetes?
Consumption of a balanced diet is compulsory during pregnancy. This ensures that the mother and the baby receive all the necessary nutrients. It is also required for the proper growth and development of the fetus. Avoiding or limiting fatty or junk food during pregnancy helps maintain a healthy body weight.
Studies have shown that if obese or overweight pregnant women do not change to a balanced diet, their chances of developing gestational diabetes are higher. On the other hand, a group of obese and overweight women showed a decreased development of gestational diabetes when they shifted to a healthy diet, as per studies.
Pregnancy is associated with hormonal changes, which may induce cravings and impaired appetite. In addition, the foods consumed during pregnancy are also associated with the mother's and fetus's overall health conditions. Therefore, care should be taken when choosing the foods consumed during the gestational period. Consulting an expert dietitian or nutritionist is necessary before changing food habits.
Putting on a lot of weight during pregnancy can be a sign of gestational diabetes. The healthy weight gain range during pregnancy depends on the woman's body weight before getting pregnant.
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If the woman's BMI, or body mass index, before pregnancy, is less than 18.5 or underweight, a pregnancy weight gain between 12.5 and 18 kilograms is considered normal.
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If the woman's BMI before pregnancy is between 18.5 and 24.9 or normal body weight, a pregnancy weight gain between 11.5 and 16 kilograms is considered normal.
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If the woman's BMI before pregnancy is between 25 and 29.9 or overweight, a weight gain between 7 and 11.5 kilograms is considered normal.
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If the woman's BMI before pregnancy is greater than 30 or obese, a pregnancy weight gain between 5 and 9 kilograms is considered normal.
What Should Be Considered Before Conceiving to Prevent Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes can be prevented when care is given from the beginning, even before conceiving. Two aspects should be considered to achieve the goal: physical and mental health.
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Excess body weight and increased body fat percentage should be reduced before getting pregnant. The gynecologist may refer to a nutritionist, who will assess the body weight and eating habits and ask for blood tests. They will then prepare a diet chart that includes a balanced diet.
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Body weight can be maintained in a healthy range by doing regular physical activities. Before conceiving, the woman can try doing weight or strength training workouts, stretching exercises, yoga, etc. The gynecologist and the fitness expert will recommend doing specific workouts that are safe to practice while trying to get pregnant and will effectively reduce body fat percentage.
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Mental health can be improved by doing mindful exercises like yoga and meditation. Good quality and quantity of sleep will also help improve mental well-being.
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In addition, the blood glucose level should be assessed intermittently before conceiving.
How to Prevent Gestational Diabetes?
The following steps help prevent gestational diabetes and have a healthy pregnancy.
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Regulation of sweet intake by limiting the consumption of desserts and beverages will help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.
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Regular physical activity reduces the chance of gestational diabetes by 70 percent.
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Eating a fiber-rich diet and cutting other carbohydrates will be helpful.
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Some pregnant women may encounter sleep issues or insomnia. Hormonal imbalances, body aches, and other discomforts impair the quality of their sleep. Practicing stress reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, and reducing screen time will be effective in getting good sleep.
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Blood glucose levels should be monitored intermittently. It can be done at home using a glucometer. This will help pregnant women track their blood glucose levels and assess whether their changes are working.
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Pregnancy may lead to weight gain, but care should be taken to gain weight healthily by consuming nutritious food and limiting junk foods.
Is Prevention Enough in the Case of Gestational Diabetes?
Mild gestational diabetes can be managed by adopting healthy lifestyle changes, as mentioned above. But it is not a treatable condition. Therefore, in severe cases, prompt treatment should be given to pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to reduce the blood glucose level of pregnant women and make it equal that of those without gestational diabetes. Along with diet planning, exercise, and glucose monitoring, the treatment plan includes insulin injections. Medications, usually Metformin, may also be given. The healthcare provider will initially suggest lifestyle changes and provide the patient with guidelines and charts. They will monitor the patient for two weeks and check the blood glucose level afterward. If no improvement is noticed, they will prescribe the medications. Some studies have shown that medications for gestational diabetes, like Metformin, may cause side effects like diarrhea and may not significantly cure gestational diabetes or its associated complications.
Conclusion
Gestational diabetes results from increased blood sugar or glucose levels during pregnancy. It can lead to complications for the mother and baby. Therefore, the risks of gestational diabetes should be prevented, and the steps should be taken even before conceiving. These steps include choosing a nutritious eating pattern, maintaining a healthy body weight, practicing mindfulness, and exercising regularly. In addition, regular monitoring of the blood sugar level is also necessary. Lifestyle modifications can manage mild cases of gestational diabetes. The doctors will prescribe medications for the condition if dietary changes do not change blood sugar levels.
