Going to the loo more often and feeling thirsty could be indicative that you are pregnant. These symptoms tend to continue through a large phase of pregnancy, but these can not just be because of your pregnancy. This could also be an indication of gestational diabetes.
While there are two types of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2 that is normally found in people, there is another variation of this condition which is known as gestational diabetes. This is the type that is found in pregnant women and while not every pregnant woman is prone to this kind of diabetes, yet, if you have it then it’s likely to continue throughout your pregnancy.
Now, you might wonder what causes this form of gestational diabetes. The hormones in your body are also the ones that regulate the sugar or glucose in your blood. When you get pregnant, your hormone balance changes and this could cause your sugar levels to go haywire and result in gestational diabetes.
One thing you need to bear in mind is the fact that if you were diagnosed with gestational diabetes in any of your earlier pregnancies, then you are likely to have it in your later pregnancies also. However, one good thing is, in cases of gestational diabetes, the sugar levels come back to normal after delivery.
As mentioned above, a previous occurrence of gestational diabetes puts you at added risk. However, if you have never been pregnant before or have had a pregnancy without gestational diabetes, here are some of the factors that could lead to this condition.
Blood sugar checks are very regular during your pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. This is to keep a close watch on your sugar levels as an increase or decrease could pose health threats to both you and your baby. Some of the complications resulting from gestational diabetes include, but are not limited to are:
There are a lot of things that you can do to make sure that your pregnancy is healthy. Your health largely depends on the kinds of choices you make, so here are some wise decisions you can take.
At the Birthplace, we have a comprehensive plan custom-made for each of our mothers-to-be. We evaluate all risk factors carefully and create a birthing plan that helps you and your baby throughout the nine months of your pregnancy. So, come, join hands with us to make your pregnancy and delivery as memorable as possible.
A combination of a healthy diet, mild exercise, and medications can help keep blood glucose levels in check. Regular blood tests can help you understand if you are within or how far off you are from the healthy range. A customised meal plan that includes nutritious foods with a low glycaemic index can help reduce the sugar spikes without compromising your health.
Yes, it increases the risk of health complications at various stages. These babies can gain a lot of weight in the womb and be too large at birth. They can even develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or breathing issues soon after birth. They can even develop obesity or type 2 diabetes at a later stage.
You can get initial guidance from your doctor and a dietitian. You can also invest in a glucose monitor that is very compact and easy to use at home. An active lifestyle, a well-balanced diet with low glycaemic index foods, and regular monitoring of the glucose levels can help in self-management.
A diet consisting more of fresh fruits, vegetables, natural foods, and protein can help keep the glucose spikes under control. Foods with a low glycaemic index can help maintain the blood glucose range. Avoid ultra-processed, junk, and fatty foods. Including lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates can be very beneficial for gestational diabetes.
