Should i worry about gestational diabetes

If your doctor encourages you to monitor your blood sugar levels , they may supply you with a special glucose-monitoring device. They may also prescribe insulin injections for you until you give birth.

Ask your doctor about properly timing your insulin injections in relation to your meals and exercise to avoid low blood sugar. Your doctor can also tell you what to do if your blood sugar levels fall too low or are consistently higher than they should be. A balanced diet is key to properly managing gestational diabetes.

In particular, women with gestational diabetes should pay special attention to their carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake. Eating regularly — as often as every two hours — can also help you to control your blood sugar levels. Properly spacing out carbohydrate-rich foods will help to prevent blood sugar spikes. Your doctor will help you determine exactly how many carbohydrates you should eat each day. They may also recommend that you see a registered dietician to help with meal plans.

Pregnant women should eat two to three servings of protein each day. Good sources of protein include lean meats and poultry , fish , and tofu. Healthy fats to incorporate into your diet include unsalted nuts , seeds , olive oil , and avocado.

Get more tips here on what to eat — and avoid — if you have gestational diabetes. If your gestational diabetes is poorly managed, your blood sugar levels may remain higher than they should be throughout your pregnancy. This can lead to complications and affect the health of your child.

For example, when your baby is born, he or she may have:. They may also be at higher risk of developing diabetes later in life. Your blood sugar should return to normal after you give birth. But developing gestational diabetes raises your risk of type 2 diabetes later in life. Ask your doctor how you can lower your risk of developing these conditions and associated complications. However, adopting healthy habits can reduce your chances of developing the condition.

Even light activity, such as walking, may be beneficial. Even losing a small amount of weight can help you reduce your risk of gestational diabetes.

Read this article in Spanish. Gestational diabetes refers to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, and it's fairly common. You may wonder whether preventing gestational…. Your pancreas then chips in to help. It creates a hormone called insulin, which allows the glucose to go from your bloodstream and into your cells to give you a much-needed energy boost. This is gestational diabetes. Since your baby shares your bloodstream while in the womb, keeping your glucose levels under control will make sure your baby stays healthy, too.

Although there are common symptoms for type 1 and type 2 diabetes , such as excessive thirst, frequent urination , fatigue and unintended weight loss, there are typically no symptoms for gestational diabetes. But, there are a few risk factors that your doctor will be on the lookout for in your first trimester.

All pregnant women are tested for the disease somewhere between weeks. Getty Images. Gestational diabetes is more common than you might think.

Back to Top. In This Article. Continue Reading Below. More About a Healthy Pregnancy Diet. Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy. Let's Talk About Gestational Diabetes. Best Foods to Eat While Pregnant. View Sources. March of Dimes, Gestational Diabetes , Mayo Clinic, Fetal macrosomia , May Your Health. Pregnancy Groups. Second Trimester. Jump to Your Week of Pregnancy. Pregnancy Week. Signs of Labor. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.