Most of the cases of diabetes during pregnancy are due to gestational pregnancy (diabetes that starts during pregnancy) although many women have type 1 or type 2 diabetes while pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pregnancy is supposed to be a very happy time, especially for couples expecting a baby. However, it can also be a potentially dangerous time for the woman and the baby \u2013 health-wise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She may develop unhealthy appetites and bad habits<\/a> due to biological changes in her body during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This makes pregnancy a risky endeavor, one of such health risks of pregnancy is gestational diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gestational diabetes affects roughly about 1% to 14% of pregnant women, depending on the location and can cause complications in pregnancy and childbirth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are going to answer some questions about this type of diabetes in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gestational diabetes is a type of metabolic disorder<\/a> that develops during pregnancy, where the pregnant woman develops glucose intolerance. This is because the body may find it difficult to control blood sugar levels during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists believe that hormones in the placenta like human placental growth hormone, and other chemicals like tumor necrosis factor (TNF) secreted by the placenta are partially responsible for the increased insulin resistance<\/a> seen in pregnant women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insulin resistance is a situation where the cells of the body do not respond well to insulin, which is a hormone that controls blood glucose levels in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When body cells become resistant to insulin during pregnancy, and the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance, it will lead to gestational diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gestational diabetes is more likely in obese women who tend to have a higher insulin resistance before pregnancy, and the incidence of gestational diabetes has \u201ccoincidentally increased\u201d with an increase in obesity among women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of diabetes usually occurs somewhere between mid-pregnancy and the third trimester of pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you fall into some of these categories, you are at risk. The more these descriptions apply to you, the higher your risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Risk factors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gestational diabetes can be managed<\/a> and will most likely stop after you give birth. However, it has been linked to a number of risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is always important to monitor your blood sugar. You can go for medical checkups where the doctor will detect if you have gestational diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some red lights are if you have had gestational diabetes before or you have given birth to big babies before or if you have abnormally high blood sugar levels<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will drink a syrupy glucose solution. One hour later, you will have a blood test to measure your blood sugar level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A blood sugar level below 130 to 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg\/dL), or 7.2 to 7.8 millimoles per liter (mmol\/L), is usually considered normal on a glucose challenge test, although this may vary by clinic or lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your blood sugar level is higher than normal, it only means you have a higher risk of gestational diabetes. You will need a glucose tolerance test to determine if you have the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Also known as the oral glucose tolerance test). You will fast overnight, then have your blood sugar level measured. Then you will drink another sweet solution \u2014 this one containing a higher concentration of glucose \u2014 and your blood sugar level will be checked every hour for three hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If at least two of the blood sugar readings are higher than average, you\u2019ll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your doctor says you have gestational diabetes, you do not have to worry, as it can be managed. In fact, its management is similar to type 2 diabetes with little differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First is a combination of self-monitoring of blood glucose<\/a>, and changes to diet and exercise. You may want to reduce the number of carbs and sugar you take in to ease the pressure on the insulin in your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continuous glucose monitoring will help evaluate your success so far. If these measures do not work, you may be given insulin to help control your blood sugar. Insulin is preferred in pregnancy as it does not cross your placenta, so it will not harm your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other drugs being used off-label are metformin and glyburide. Glyburide does not pass through the placenta; hence, your baby is safe. However, one side effect is weight gain, and so, it may not be too nice for already obese women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metformin<\/a>, on the other hand, is in category B of pregnancy in drugs. This means there is no proof that it hurts babies in pregnant women despite its long history of use in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome. It also tends to cause weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why it may be ideal for obese women. However, insulin is the mainstream treatment, although there is growing evidence that gestational diabetes may be linked to vitamin D deficiency<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are seven things you can start to do right now before you get pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have high blood sugar levels, higher than the optimal of 83-87 mg\/dl, consider postponing any pregnancy until this is under control via contraception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The big key is really reversing high blood sugar levels now before you get pregnant to avoid gestational diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many ways to do this, and you will need a multi-faceted approach that involves diet changes, exercise, and supplements.<\/a> Commit to doing this; your efforts will come back to you in exponential rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We All Have to Start Somewhere. Begin making one simple weekly change to improve your diet<\/a>. Choose from any of the following changes to make:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can take a variety of supplements to lower your blood sugar<\/a>. Berberine is a Chinese herb that has been used to treat diabetics for many years. You can purchase these as pills to take as a supplement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chromium<\/a> and magnesium have both been proven to lower blood sugar. You can get both of these minerals from your food, but you may need to supplement if you cannot get enough in your diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cinnamon extract<\/a> is another supplement that has been shown to lower blood sugar. Research has consistently demonstrated that 1-6 grams of cinnamon can regulate blood sugar and improve metabolic health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exercise daily. If you are under super high-stress levels, then walking is your best choice of physical activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It won\u2019t act as trauma and raise cortisol levels. Aim for 20-30 minutes daily about an hour after you eat a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep an even keel emotionally. Emotional upsets will play havoc with your body\u2019s nervous system and hormones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reduce your electromagnetic fields (EMF) and dirty electricity. High EMF and dirty electricity are tied to high blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some researchers call the elevated blood sugar levels from the environmental pollution diabetes type 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reducing the EMF<\/a> has to do with choosing to hardwire connections for your internet and avoiding wifi at all costs. Dirty electricity has to do with faulty electrical wiring and appliances that send out too many voltage transients, the experts say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look up an EMF specialist who can evaluate your home for these problems. They can mean the difference between continuing with diabetes forever and stopping it overnight with blood sugar levels that return to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, one of the easiest ways to reduce blood sugar levels is to lose weight if you are overweight<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is gestational diabetes, and what causes it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Am I at risk of having gestational diabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhat could happen to me if I have gestational diabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How do I know if I have gestational diabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Routine screening for gestational diabetes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Initial glucose challenge test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Follow-up glucose tolerance testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I have gestational diabetes; what do I do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What can you do if you are in the risk category for developing gestational diabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1) Make a decision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2) Diet changes are imminent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n3) Herbs are a great blood sugar aid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4) Don\u2019t neglect exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5) Emotional Stability is Necessary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6) Consider Environmental Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7) Reduce bodyweight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n