Gestational Diabetes

Before you start wondering - no, I’m not pregnant!  I am already a diabetic.  This is for another reason I will not go into here.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects the way your body uses sugar (glucose) — your body’s main source of fuel. The result may be dangerously high blood sugar levels.

Any pregnancy complication is concerning, but there’s good news. You can manage gestational diabetes by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and, if necessary, taking medication. Taking good care of yourself can help ensure a healthy pregnancy for you and a healthy start for your baby.

QUICK DIABETES FACTS
Diabetes causes about 5% of all deaths globally each year.
80% of people with diabetes live in low and middle income countries.
Most people with diabetes in low and middle income countries are middle-aged (45-64), not elderly (65+).
Diabetes deaths are likely to increase by more than 50% in the next 10 years without urgent action.

I’ve known two people prior to today that have had this - my sister Marie with her first child and a gal from work.  They both went back to normal sugar levels after giving birth and have had no issues since. 

This condition puts major fear into people, doubled by the fact you are carrying a life and dealing with a condition that is fastly effecting people all over the world.

Diabetes is devistating the world, as you can see from the Quick Facts from WHO.

From the Mayo Clinc, treatments are similar to those of us with Type II Diabetes.

Treatment
Controlling your blood sugar level is essential to keeping your baby healthy and avoiding complications during delivery. Your treatment plan may include:

• Blood sugar monitoring. Your health care provider will also monitor your blood sugar level during labor. If your blood sugar rises, your baby may release high levels of insulin — which can lead to low blood sugar right after birth.
• Diet. Eating the right kind and amount of food is one of the best ways to control your blood sugar level. This often means more fruits, vegetables and whole grains — foods that are high in nutrition and low in fat and calories — and fewer animal products and sweets.
• Exercise. Exercise lowers your blood sugar level by transporting sugar to your cells, where it’s used for energy. Exercise also increases your sensitivity to insulin, which means your body needs less insulin to transport sugar to your cells.
• Medication. If diet and exercise aren’t enough, you may need insulin injections to lower your blood sugar level. For some women, the oral medication glyburide may be an option as well.  

More to come in future post …

Additional Reading:

American Diabetes Association : Gestational Diabetes

ADA Message Board : Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes.About.com : Pregnancy and Diabetes

gestational diabetes