Diabetes managing tips during pregnancy

Planning ahead is very important if you want to have a baby and you have type-1 or type-2 diabetes. Also Out of every 100 pregnant women in the United States, three to eight get gestational diabetes. So even if you don't have diabetes, but you are pregnant now then it is a must to diagnose for gestational diabetes, it is always good for you and your baby.

Gestational diabetes: Changing hormones and weight gain are part of a healthy pregnancy. But both changes make it hard for your body to keep up with its need for a hormone called insulin. That is Pancreas unable to produce enough insulin to counteract the hormone produced during pregnancy that lead to increased sugar level in blood called gestational diabetes.

Diabetes tips during Pregnancy:

Meals - limit sweets, eat 3 small meals and 1 to 3 snacks per day, maintain your meals time, include fiber in your meals in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole-grains.

Physical activity - walking and swimming, can help you reach your blood glucose targets if you are gestational diabetes (even may be without insulin) and for type 1 diabetics it is supportive to maintain their normal glucose level in addition to their normal insulin dosage.

Insulin treatment - Some with gestational diabetes and others with type 1 diabetes need insulin to reach their blood glucose targets. Insulin is not harmful for your baby, but controlled blood glucose is beneficial to your baby.

Glucose monitor or meter details - Learn to check your blood glucose level using glucose monitor. Check blood glucose when you wake up (not above 95), just before meals and 1 or 2 hours after your food (140 - 1 hour, 120 - 2 hours)

Ketones test - Test for ketones in your first morning urine, High levels of ketones are a sign that your body is using your body fat for energy instead of the food you eat. Using fat for energy is not recommended during pregnancy. Ketones may be harmful for your baby.

Test for diabetes after baby born - For most women, gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy.

Breast feed your child - Breast feeding is recommended for most babies, including those whose mothers had gestational diabetes. Your child's risk for type 2 diabetes may be lower if you breast-feed your baby and if your child maintains a healthy weight.

My best wishes for your healthy pregnancy and healthier baby.

Reference: thiruvelan