Diabetic Diet Zone

Posts Tagged ‘pregnancy’

http://www.ihealthtube.com Dr. Molly Ferguson on gestational diabetes, and the risk factors for it and how it could affect the fetus.

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Burton Rochelson MD Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Obstectrics at
NS/LIJ Healthcare System
www.DrMDK

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Top 5 Tips for Pregnancy with Diabetes

As with any health related issue, always consult your personal physician first and foremost, but below are my experiences top 5 tips in having a healthy pregnancy as a diabetic.

Tip # 1 Plan (if possible)

I’ve had both planned and unplanned with my four children.  Planned is better if you can.  With the unique demands diabetes places on your body, it is great to have time to prepare your body to be supporting another human being to be as healthy as possible.

Tip # 2 Consulting your doctor

Your doctor can help determine what the current affects diabetes is having on your system and help you plan ahead for your pregnancy as well which may include a change of medicine.  Of course the doctor will always warn you of the standard don’t smoke, avoid alcohol, eat right and exercise, but we can all use a reminder (especially while your pregnant).  The doctor can then monitor the changes that take place in your body as a current starting point has been established.

Tip # 3 Tri-Success-Habits

I call this rigging the game in your favor.  A three prong approach of meal planning, exercise and taking medications on time.  

By taking the time to plan out your meals (and shopping), you have a huge jump start on controlling your blood sugar and believe it or not save a tremendous amount of time!  You can consult a dietician or find several books on this subject.  This way everything that was in the house was OK for me to eat.

Exercise was the hard one, but with a child growing inside of me, I found the discipline.  The method I used was to exercise BEFORE I began my day by walking  (Once I start the day forget it – exercise would not cross my mind).  This way, no matter what, I had some type of activity that kept blood sugar under control as exercise balances food intake.

I created a constant reminder system for myself to take medications On Time since it is critical to be steady as humanly possible.

Tip # 4 Monitor More Often – Treat More Quickly

Pregnancy places different demands on your body’s need for energy and can make your blood sugar levels change very rapidly.  Since this is happening, you need to check blood sugar more often.  I was at 8 times a day.  If levels are low, you need to treat them very quickly having a ready source of carbohydrates always available.  Your family may be familiar on how to help with these situations, but in being pregnant I found it comforting for those at my work place to know how to help as well.

Tip # 5 Acupressure

This was a lifesaver that I did not discover until my fourth pregnancy.  I was always in search of non-medicine ways to have an easier birth with my children and discovered the power of acupressure.  It helped me relieve pain related to my pregnancy and even induce labor.  I wish I had found this before child number 1!

These 5 tips tremendously aided me through my pregnancies and helped me bring into the world 4 beautiful Healthy children.

Wishing You and Your Baby a Blessed Day.

FAQ on Pregnancy Diabetes Diet Plan

Patients with gestational diabetes need a pregnancy diabetes diet plan in order to control their blood sugar levels, to maintain a healthy weight, and eventually, to deliver their healthy babies. With proper and regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, pregnant women can still keep their babies healthy and have a normal delivery. Gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after delivery.

The following are the frequently asked questions with regard to a pregnancy diabetes diet plan.

What is the purpose of a gestational diet and how can it benefit my baby and me?

The goal of a pregnancy diet for diabetic patients is to control blood sugar levels, to maintain a healthy weight, and of course, to deliver a healthy baby. Pregnant women usually deliver healthy babies even with gestational diabetes through a proper diet.

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Am I supposed to eat lots of food for my baby and me?

Not necessarily. You just need to make sure that you are eating the right amount.

How often should I eat?

You also need to eat three meals every day, as well as snacks in between and evening snacks before you sleep. This means that you should eat at least five times a day in order to balance out the distribution of glucose throughout the day and avoid sudden surges or lows of blood sugar levels.

What are the types of foods that I should eat?

You need to have a balanced diet by eating foods that contain carbohydrates, protein, and fats. You also need foods that are rich in fiber, calcium, and other vitamins and nutrients. Eat enough of whole grain products, protein sources (beans, legumes, poultry), dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.

What should I eat if I have morning sickness?

In a pregnancy diabetes diet plan, morning sickness is always considered. It is during breakfast that insulin resistance is very great, so you have to eat fewer carbohydrates at this time compared to the other meals and snacks. If you are experiencing morning sickness, it is advisable to eat a few crackers or pretzels right before getting off of your bed.

Symptoms and Treatments of Gestational Diabetes and its effects on pregnancy

The condition which develops in a pregnant woman due to a large amount of sugar in her blood is known as gestational diabetes. Though it usually resolves itself after the delivery, it needs to be controlled for the proper health of the baby. When the pancreas isn’t able to produce enough insulin to regulate the excess sugar in the blood, gestational diabetes sets in. This usually happens in the later stages of pregnancy. Doctors usually suggest a series of tests if sugar is found in the urine during the antenatal check of the pregnant woman. The tests include random blood glucose test and glucose tolerance test.

Effects on pregnancy –
If the diabetes is controlled carefully, its ill-effects are minimized. The large amount of sugar in the blood can cross the placenta to the baby resulting in an abnormally large growth of the baby. Larger babies make the labor and the delivery difficult which increases the need for a caesarean section and it has its own cons.

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Who is at risk?
Women suffering from gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies or who have given birth to large babies have high chances of developing it.

What are the symptoms?
Extreme thirst or abnormal fatigue is a sign of gestational diabetes but it is very difficult to detect gestational diabetes without a test. It is usually caught by the doctor during the regular antenatal check up.

Treatment –
Doctors would advise to cut down on sugar food and caffeinated drinks. Coffee and Cola are a strict no during gestational diabetes. Large meals are to be avoided and substituted by small snacks at frequent intervals. In extreme cases, insulin injections are prescribed.
Gestational diabetes calls for frequent ultrasound scans to keep a close check on the baby. It would be wise to keep a glucometer handy for monitoring the blood sugar level after every meal which would help the doctor to give better advice.

Exercise is the key –
Right amount of the suitable exercise during pregnancy helps in controlling gestational diabetes. The doctor can give tips to include exercise in daily activities. Exercising before pregnancy also helps in lowering the chances of developing gestational diabetes.

Pregnancy of a diabetic woman –
If a woman is diabetic, she should get her blood sugar level under control before conceiving. It is the same for overweight women. They should reduce their weight and check their blood sugar level before conceiving. The proper development of the baby is at risk if the blood sugar level is not under control in the initial stages of pregnancy. Though the pregnancy of a pregnant woman is considered high-risk, the problems can be avoided if the blood-sugar level is kept close to normal.

Post pregnancy diabetes –
Gestational diabetes gets normal within few hours post-delivery. The doctor would keep a check on the blood sugar level and a glucose tolerance test is advisable 3 months post-delivery. The chances of gestational diabetes getting resolved naturally are very high but some women suffering from obesity remain diabetic.

More Gestational Diabetes Articles

Dr. Siobhan Dolan talks about some of the complications that can arise from gestational diabetes.

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Diabetes during Pregnancy

Women in the study of over 21,765 individuals that were physically active prior to the pregnancy were 23 percent less likely to develop gestational diabetes. This number is significant in the control and prevention of this condition. In addition to controlling the gestational diabetes there are other health benefits for both the mother and the baby that are identified with a safe and effective exercise program prior to and during pregnancy. During pregnancy, you need to lower your blood glucose levels as much as you can. You need to get them to as close to normal as possible. This is significant during your first trimester, because high blood glucose levels can cause a miscarriage or birth defect.

Tackle Diabetes

The first and the foremost important step is to go for regular medical check-ups. Keeping a tab of your blood sugar level is very crucial at the time of pregnancy. In pregnancy there occurs an increase in the level of A1C in hemoglobin. An increase in the amount of A1C shows that there is a poor control over the blood sugar levels in your body. High glucose means high risk in pregnancy. This condition is fatal to both the fetus and the mother. Complications may be created at the time of delivery or the baby will be born with body defects.

Avoid taking pills for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Ask any medical professional and he will advice you to switch over to insulin injections instead. Apart from this you need a constant monitoring of the sugar levels. It is recommended that you get your blood sugar checked about eight times a day. Check, if you are suffering from hypoglycemia. If you are, then get yourself treated.

Causes of Diabetes during Pregnancy

The reason for the development of diabetes during pregnancy is insufficient production of insulin in the mother’s body, as insulin is responsible for breaking down the sugar and release of energy. If the insulin level in the body decreases, the sugar level in the body rises, which can cause health problems as the high blood sugar are passed to the baby from the mother’s body through placenta.

The basic cause of diabetes during pregnancy is that, mother’s body is the sole supplier of glucose (sugar that results from the digestion of food) to the baby. This glucose is delivered to the baby through placenta. in return placenta produces certain hormones which helps the baby to develop, but on other hand these hormones prevents mothers body to use insulin and at later stage placenta increases these anti-insulin hormones which blocks the movement of glucose from the blood stream to the cell of the mother’s body.

There can be many cases that the woman may have pre existing diabetes. In that case the mother must be warned against the complicacies that may arise during pregnancy.

Related Diabetes And Pregnancy Articles

Can You Have a Healthy Pregnancy With Diabetes?

Having a healthy pregnancy with diabetes can really be a dream with many, but it is possible and the purpose of this article is to establish the claim. Pregnancy period, otherwise known as gestational period, covers the growth of baby in the uterus from fertilization until birth. It also includes the conception and formulation of a plan or idea in the mind about the pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is defined as that discovered when you are pregnant. Getting pregnant by ignoring the gestational diabetes signs implies many additional increased risks like miscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects with your baby. However, if you pay constant care before conception, you can avoid many risks. Normal pregnancy can reduce insulin sensitivity because of diabetogenic effects of placental hormones. This effect is maximal in the late second and third trimesters.

There are many cases of women with pre-acquired diabetes. With such condition, the mother should be cautious against diabetic complications that may arise when she gets pregnant. This will reduce the risk of birth defects for babies. Also it will be safe for you if you are decided to control your pre-acquired diabetes as First Aid action before you get pregnant. With this awareness, you can prevent serious birth defects in the brain and spinal cord. Nowadays, most women of child bearing age can realistically expect motherhood for healthy children with intensive glycemic control.

Bad effects of pregnancy with diabetes: Being pregnant and diabetic can create problems to the mother and fetus. If you ignore the control of blood glucose in general, it may lead to menstrual problems and difficulty in conceiving. If you are pregnant, that condition itself worsens your diabetic control and causes certain complications to develop in your body. Maternal diabetes is also hazardous for the fetus with increased risk and major congenital malformations.

Plan yourself for healthy pregnancy: To prevent abortion and congenital malformations of diabetic mothers, awareness program and proper education should begin before conception. There are no specific contraceptive methods, but you can have treatment for your gestational diabetes. Whenever you achieve a stable sugar control, the contraception can be discounted and hence, you are safe to get pregnant. Gestational diabetes risks for the mother and the baby should be avoided at any cost. For this simple reason, you need not go a long way worrying with anxiety for healthy pregnancy.

Tips to have healthy pregnancy with diabetes:

Careful blood glucose monitoring and proper treatment in advance can ensure you a healthy baby when you conceive.
If you are taking oral medications, you need a switch over to insulin before and after pregnancy.
If you are already a declared diabetic, you need to consult your doctor and plan accordingly for healthy pregnancy.
Careful planning and preconception care alone can allow the diabetic woman to have a problem free and healthy pregnancy.
Having gestational diabetes diet plan with multivitamin and folic acid can ensure you a healthy pregnancy.

Related Pregnancy And Diabetes Articles

Symptoms Of Diabetes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the most beautiful phase of any women’s life. In this phase, they tend to more careful towards their health. It is essential to be careful during pregnancy, as it affects the health of your unborn child. The health of unborn child is wholly in the hands of a mother. She has to regulate and maintain good health for a healthy child.

Sometimes due to certain deficiency, women might face difficulties during their pregnancy. But this has to be regulated in terms of health. Many times, they even face some unexpected disease such as diabetes. Diabetes during pregnancy is also called as gestational diabetes. It occurs in non- diabetic women during her pregnancy period. In gestational diabetes, the woman generates sufficient amount of insulin, but it is clogged due to several hormones such as estrogen, cortisol, prolactin, and progesterone. Diabetes during pregnancy is generally caused as; the body does not absorb glucose. Thus, insufficient supply of glucose might affect the health of baby and mother.

As, there are no specific symptoms of diabetes or diagnosis for diabetes during pregnancy, it can be detected during screening. Every mother develops resistance to insulin during pregnancy but few of her suffers from temporary diabetes. Even though, if there are no specific symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy; you may get warning signs through the classic symptoms. The symptoms of diabetes are mentioned below:

Excessive thirst

Faint vision

Frequent urination

Unexpected hunger

Extreme tiredness

Well, even though diabetes is common during pregnancy, it can affect people who fall under certain category like:

Age above twenty-five

Obesity

Women who smoke

Family history for diabetes

Women belonging to minority group of ethnic

History of prenatal birth

Previous history of large baby.

Pregnancy during diabetes is treated naturally during the birth of child. But it is anytime better to utilize some safe method to cure diabetes. It can be treated with proper diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise. Diabetes is easy to manage throughout pregnancy until you follow the rules and restriction seriously:

Quit smoking and consuming alcohol

Drink plenty of water and fresh juice of green vegetables and bright colored fruits

Include lot of green vegetables and fruits in your diet

Instead of grabbing two heavy meals, divide your meal portions into five and eat at short intervals

Consume the supplements of folate

Adapt some regular light exercise which includes walking, yoga, aerobics, etc,.

Have a proper intake of fats in your diet.

Avoid excessive use of salt

Keep a record of your daily check up and if you find any indication, then immediately consult your gynecologist.

About 5% of expecting women are affected by gestational diabetes. Watch this video to learn more. ??????????????????????? WATCH MORE PREGNANCY VIDEOS! Click Here: »»» http://pregnancy.healthguru.com/content/browse/cid/13/sid/24?085Diabetes7YT

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