Gestational Diabetes Self-Care: A Guide for New Moms

This article is reviewed, corrected, and approved by: Dr. Joshua Collins M.D. | MRCP। FRCP

During pregnancy, a woman may develop gestational diabetes (GDM). This means that women’s body has trouble using insulin, a hormone that helps manage sugar in the blood. As a result, her blood sugar levels may become too high.

This illness can endanger both the mother and the unborn child, making it essential to manage it effectively through proper medical care and maintaining a routine lifestyle.

What Gestational Diabetes?

Many bodily changes can happen when women are pregnant. A woman suffering from GDM passes her pregnancy period due to high glucose levels in her blood. It a commonly seen in women and generally second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Mostly time 40 years old age women and individuals with obesity mostly suffer from this. Gestational diabetes can affect women of all ages, not just limited to a specific age group.

Science Behind Gestational Diabetes

While the precise root cause of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is unclear, experts believe it is closely associated with hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy. These hormonal changes can trigger insulin resistance in the body, which causes an increase in blood glucose levels.

Gestational Diabetes Vs Other Types of Diabetes

Here are some key differences between gestational diabetes and other types of diabetes:

Type of Diabetes	Description	Causes	Onset	Treatment
Gestational Diabetes	This kind of diabetes develops during pregnancy. It usually resolves after childbirth.	Hormonal changes during pregnancy affect insulin sensitivity.	During pregnancy	Blood sugar monitoring, healthy food, exercising, and, in some circumstances, treatment with insulin
Type 1 Diabetes	Autoimmune conditions attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas can result in a lack of insulin production, leading to high blood sugar.	Autoimmune factors, genetic predisposition.	Usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood.	Insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, nutritious eating and exercising.
Type 2 Diabetes	Type 2 diabetes is primarily characterized by the inadequate production of insulin or the body's resistance to its effects. These are commonly associated with a poor diet, obesity, and a lack of exercise.	Genetic factors, overweight, lack of physical activity, poor diet.	Usually diagnosed in adulthood, but it can occur at any age.	Monitoring blood sugar levels, exercising regularly, and eating healthy can help control diabetes.
Prediabetes	Prediabetes refers to slightly elevated blood sugar levels. This means a person might have a chance of getting type 2 diabetes in the future.	Insulin resistance, genetic factors, obesity, sedentary lifestyle.	N/A	Lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, regular exercise, weight loss if overweight, and blood sugar monitoring.
LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes	It is a subtype of type 1 that initially appears to be type 2 diabetes. Pancreatic insulin-producing cells are slowly destroyed by autoimmune attacks.	Autoimmune factors, genetic predisposition.	Adult	Prescription drugs including insulin, blood sugar monitoring, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise
Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY )	Usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood and may not require insulin treatment at the beginning. Diabetes of this type is usually inherited and caused by specific gene mutations.	Genetic	Typically recognized during childhood or early adulthood.	Blood sugar monitoring, medications, and lifestyle modifications depend on the specific gene mutation.
Secondary Diabetes	Diabetes develops as a result of another medical condition or factor, such as pancreatic diseases, hormonal disorders, medications (e.g., corticosteroids), or genetic syndromes.	Underlying medical conditions, medications, and genetic factors.	Varies depending on the underlying cause.	Treatment of the underlying condition, blood sugar monitoring, medications, and lifestyle changes as necessary.

What Problems Can Occur From Gestational Diabetes?

A diagnosis file of preeclampsia. Credits: ReviewsFellas©

Both mothers and babies can suffer complications from GDM. These complications can include:

Large baby

Babies born to mothers with GDM are often large for their gestational age. This can disrupt delivery and raise the possibility of birth trauma.

Preeclampsia

Pregnant women with preeclampsia face hazards such as high blood pressure, proteinuria, and edema, which can jeopardize the well-being of both the mother and baby.

Jaundice

GDM babies have a higher risk of jaundice due to elevated bilirubin levels from the breakdown of old red blood cells, causing yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Delayed development

Babies born to GDM mothers are at a higher risk of slowed growth. This can include delays in reaching developmental milestones, such as walking and talking.

Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes

Blood test for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus. Credits: ReviewsFellas©

To diagnose GDM, a glucose tolerance test is typically conducted in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. This test requires fasting for a minimum of 8 hours, followed by the consumption of a sugary drink. Blood samples are collected before and after the drink to assess the body's ability to process glucose.

Most women with GDM can effectively manage their condition, and their blood sugar levels return to normal after giving birth. GDM, on the other hand, increases the risk of getting type II diabetes at some point in life. As a result, it is crucial for women who have had gd signs of having routine diabetes testing in the years after pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes Self-care

Healthy Eating for Gestational Diabetes

A pregnant woman eating healthy for gestational diabetes. Credits: ReviewsFellas©

To manage gestational diabetes and ensure the health of both mother and child, it is crucial to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Here are some key principles to follow:

Emphasize whole foods: Your meals should include fruits, healthy protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Prioritize complex carbohydrates: Opt for high-fiber options like whole grains, legumes, and vegetables, as they have a gentler impact on blood sugar levels.
Include lean proteins: Choose poultry, fish, tofu, beans, and low-fat dairy products to promote satiety and maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Moderate healthy fats: To reap the nutritional benefits of avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, consume them in moderation.
Practice portion control: To control blood sugar levels of ICD-10 gestational diabetes, avoid overeating, and pay attention to portion sizes.

Gestational diabetes self-care meal planning and timing

Divided your meal time: To prevent blood sugar spikes, eat smaller, more frequent meals during the day.
Consistent carbohydrate intake: Aim for consistent amounts of carbohydrates at each meal and consult a registered dietitian for personalized recommendations.
Consider glycemic index: Choose carbohydrates with a lower glycemic index/load. To lessen their impact on blood sugar levels, choose whole grains and non-starchy vegetables as part of your diet.
Gestational diabetes snacks: To maintain steady energy levels and prevent blood sugar fluctuations, opt for snacks that contain a combination of carbohydrates and protein or healthy fats.

Tips for healthy eating with gestational diabetes self-care

A pregnant woman drinking water to stay hydrated. Credits: ReviewsFellas©

Limit sugary and processed foods: Avoid sugary beverages, desserts, candies, and processed snacks, as they can cause sharp spikes in blood sugar levels.
Stay hydrated: Keep your blood sugar levels in check by drinking water or fluids throughout the day.
Include fiber-rich foods: As a source of fiber, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are useful for regulating blood sugar levels and promoting digestion.
Opt for healthy cooking methods: Choose baking, grilling, steaming, or sautéing instead of frying to reduce added fats and oil.
Read food labels: Check for hidden sources of added sugars and make informed choices.

Preeclampsia vs Gestational diabetes

Both preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are medical conditions that can arise during pregnancy. Here are some differences between gestational diabetes and preeclampsia-

	Preeclampsia	Gestational Diabetes
Definition	A disorder characterized by high blood pressure, proteinuria, and swelling during pregnancy.	Blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy
Symptoms	High blood pressure	Elevated blood sugar levels
	Proteinuria (presence of protein in urine)	Increased thirst and urination is a common GD signs
	Hands, face, or legs may experience swelling	Fatigue (In general, tiredness is a common symptom of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia)
	Headaches and visual disturbances	Increased hunger
	Nausea or vomiting	-
Risks	Potential harm to both the mother and baby if left untreated	Increased risk of complications during pregnancy
	-	Higher chance of giving birth to a large baby
	-	Risk of preterm birth (common risk factor of gestational diabetes icd 10)
Management and Care	Regular blood pressure monitoring	Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly
	In severe cases, individuals may require bed rest or hospitalization	Dietary adjustments, such as meal planning
	Medications to lower blood pressure, if necessary	Regular physical activity
	Delivery of the baby, if the condition worsens	Insulin or other medications, if needed
Resolution after birth	Preeclampsia typically resolves after childbirth	Gestational diabetes usually resolves after childbirth

FAQs

Q: What to eat before a gestational diabetes test?

Ans: The physician will determine whether the test will be fasting or non-fasting.

Q: Is falling asleep after eating a sign of diabetes?

Ans: No, falling asleep after eating is not a specific sign of diabetes. Fatigue after a meal is normal, along with other symptoms like suddenly excessive thirst, frequent urination, and sudden weight loss, which could be a sign of diabetes.

Q: Which is a characteristic of gestational diabetes?

Ans: The common characteristics of gestational diabetes are high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

Taking care of GDM is crucial for the health of both the mother and the baby. This involves making changes to the mother's diet, like reducing the amount of carbs and getting more exercise. Sometimes medicine or insulin injections are needed to help control the amount of sugar in the blood.