How To Control Diabetes During Pregnancy?

Finding out you are pregnant can be the happiest thing for you and your partner. Of course, that changes everything, and you and your partner must take good care of your body and the baby growing inside. So, let’s dive in and understand how to control blood sugar during pregnancy.

What you need to know:

• What is gestational diabetes?
• What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
• How to control gestational diabetes?
• What to do if your gestational diabetes is not under control?

What is gestational diabetes?

Even if you start your pregnancy on a healthy note, there could be many complications that can come up during the nine months of pregnancy. One of the most common conditions is gestational diabetes. Developing diabetes and high blood pressure levels are very common during pregnancy, and it’s up to your partner and family to be careful and supportive during this time. With gestational diabetes, your body does not produce enough insulin. It results in higher blood glucose or sugar accumulation levels in the bloodstream, leading to further health complications, including high blood pressure levels, preeclampsia (a health condition that causes high blood pressure and other symptoms that can be a threat to both you and your baby), excessive weight and intense breathing problems in newborn babies.

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it’s important to take care of your health and get treated as soon as possible, as it can negatively impact both your and your baby’s health. While the causes of gestational diabetes are still being studied, gestational diabetes can always be managed, treated, and prevented.

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

You can, at times, experience mild symptoms of gestational diabetes, including:

• Tiredness
• Blurry vision
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Yeast infections 

Who is at risk of developing gestational diabetes?

You may have more risk of developing this complication if you have the following conditions:

• High blood pressure
• Obesity before becoming pregnant
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Sudden gain in weight during pregnancy
• Past bouts of gestational diabetes
• Taking steroids, like glucocorticoids
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

How to control gestational diabetes?

Here are some preventive strategies you can employ if you want to know how to control blood sugar during pregnancy:

Take care of your health

Keeping a constant check on your pregnancy will give you a heads-up on everything happening in your body. Recognizing early signs is very important for a healthy pregnancy. Always have your partner or a family member accompany you for regular checkups if anything is required. If you have other lifestyle conditions, consider a diabetes management plan.

Eat a healthy diet

Most Indian families believe you must eat a lot during pregnancy. But with the increasing lifestyle changes, it is essential to tweak your diet plan. You need only 300 calories daily and nutrients from all food groups for the baby’s and your health. So eat healthy to keep your sugar levels in check with low-sugar dishes like rava and upma for people with gestational diabetes. You can also consult a healthcare professional to create a healthy, customized diet.

Exercise regularly

 Practising yoga mudras or exercising safely will keep your blood sugar levels in check. Exercising also boosts blood circulation and aids in the growth and development process of the fetus. It will also help keep diabetes at bay. Consult your doctor on which exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine. Try light physical activities like walking to stay active. 

Manage your weight

Refrain from consuming processed juices or any sugary food. This may increase your sugar levels and create complications. Stick to wholesome, healthy foods, preferably made at home. Although weight gain is inevitable during pregnancy, try to manage your weight during pregnancy, as it can cause harm to you and your baby. 

Take medication

If you see signs of high blood sugar levels in your body, discuss it with your doctor for the best possible treatment. Diabetes during pregnancy can be controlled with insulin therapy, and you should watch out for pre-diabetes symptoms. This will ensure that your baby is healthy, and so are you.

What to do if your gestational diabetes is not under control?

When it goes unchecked, gestational diabetes can lead to macrosomia, a health condition where a baby grows larger than what’s normal. Gestational diabetes can also lead to specific health problems, including:

• Breathing problems
• Jaundice
• Low blood sugar levels at birthtime
• Increased risk of stillbirth. 

It has also been found that babies born to parents with gestational diabetes are much more likely to develop: 

• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome
• Type-2 diabetes
• Impaired insulin sensitivity and secretion

Your doctor might recommend an ultrasound test to monitor your baby’s growth, a nonstress test to ensure your baby has a regular heart rate, or to go through induction if normal labor does not start within the due delivery date. This is because post-term delivery can increase the risk of getting gestational diabetes. 

Picking up healthy habits is highly advisable for your and your baby’s health. As a family, when you are picking up healthy habits, they are likely to last longer. It’s also quite crucial that you stay happy and positive during your pregnancy. 

Stay tuned to the Activ Living Community. Keep up to date with the latest health tips and trends through expert videos, podcasts, articles, and much more in nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, and lifestyle conditions like Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes.

You may also be interested in the following blogs: 

• 3 Yoga Poses That Every Person With Diabetes Should Try
• Fasting With Diabetes: 6 Strategies To Maintain Health And Harmony On Karva Chauth

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