Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that affects women who are expecting a child. Gestational diabetes occurs because of the hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy, thereby reducing a woman’s ability to receive insulin from the body, raising the blood sugar levels. When a pregnant mother has gestational diabetes, the insulin in the body is not allowed to pass through the placenta. The extra glucose in the blood, however, is allowed to pass through the placenta and causes a rise in the blood sugar levels of the unborn child. The women who are most susceptible to gestational diabetes are those who have a body mass index of over thirty, or who have had a history of diabetes in their families. Similarly, expectant women who have high levels of sugar in urine samples taken during antenatal tests and those who suffer from high blood pressure are also at risk of gestational diabetes.
A dietician will be able to best advise you on the diets you need to follow after a thorough examination of the levels of sugar and other constituents in the body. However, the consumption of leafy green vegetables and other fibrous fruits and vegetables is recommended in order to help lower blood sugar levels. It is advisable to cut down on your intake of sweets and other products that contain sugar in order to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Similarly, carbohydrate rich foods should be avoided at meals. Although contrary to popular belief that there should be three meals taken at regular intervals during the day, it is advisable to lower the quantity of the three main meals and substitute the same by breaking them up into six smaller meals, spread out evenly over the same period of time.
For women who have gestational diabetes, it is extremely important that they follow a regular pattern of exercise. The regularity of exercise helps to improve the potency of the insulin produced by the body, thereby keeping the body’s blood sugar levels under control. Walking is known to be one of the best methods of regular exercise as it does not put one under too much strain. A brisk walk in the evening or morning is beneficial because it not only exercises every muscle of the body, but also burns up the excess glucose stored in the body for the production of energy. Gestational diabetes is not an uncommon worry for a number of expectant mothers, and usually tends to regulate a few hours after child birth.