Gestational Diabetes - Treatment at Home

Healthy during pregnancy depends mainly on you. Gestational diabetes, like other forms of diabetes can not be successfully treated only with drugs.

Your doctor, an educator on diabetes mellitus, a certified nutritionist and other specialists can help you learn how to take care of yourself and protect your child from possible problems. If you read all the available information on gestational diabetes, you'll know that it is necessary for a healthy pregnancy. When you understand how food and exercise affect blood sugar levels in your blood, you can better control it and help in the prevention of problems due to gestational diabetes.

Home treatment for gestational diabetes includes changing their eating habits, regular exercise and controlling blood sugar levels.

Nutrition healthy foods

Change what, when and how much you eat can help you maintain your blood sugar at safe levels. Once you learn that you have gestational diabetes, you can visit a certified nutritionist in order to develop together with an individual plan for healthy eating. You may also be asked to write down everything you eat, and watch their weight. The nutritionist also teach you how to count carbs, so you can distribute them throughout the day. For more information, see:

Gestational diabetes: Counting carbs.

Regular exercise

Most doctors recommend that pregnant women exercise at least 3 times a week for at least 20 minutes. Regular moderate exercise helps your body better use insulin and control your blood sugar level. Often, exercise and proper nutrition may be the treatment of gestational diabetes.

If you've never exercised regularly or were not engaged in them prior to pregnancy, consult with your doctor before you begin to implement them. Exercises that do not provide a large load on the lower part of your body, such as using ergometer - a device that develops the muscles of your hands or a bicycle with a seat, as rejected as chair, is particularly well suited for pregnant women. You may also want to attend special classes for pregnant women or engage in other activities that do not give a big load on the body, such as swimming, hiking.

If exercise and diet changes can keep your blood sugar levels within safe limits, you will not need to take insulin. If you still need to inject insulin, do not forget to bring food to class of carbohydrate in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. If you believe that your blood sugar is low, stop the exercise, check your blood sugar and eat something.

Measuring your blood sugar level

An important part of treating gestational diabetes is to control blood sugar levels at home. You must every day at home to check their blood sugar up to 4 times a day (the first time before breakfast and 1 hour after each meal). If you bring yourself insulin, you'll need to check your blood sugar up to 6 times a day (before each meal and 1 hour after each of them). Despite the fact that you can shake the need to measure your blood sugar so often, knowing that your blood sugar level is at a safe level, you will be able to reconcile with the idea. For more information see:

Gestational diabetes: measure your blood sugar level.

Other aspects of your treatment

    * If changes in diet and physical activity regime can not control your blood sugar level, you may need daily insulin injections.
    * If you have prior to pregnancy was overweight, do not try to reduce it during pregnancy. Ask your doctor how many pounds you need to recruit for the entire period of pregnancy.
    * Your doctor may ask you to track the movement of the fetus and inform him or her if your baby will move less than usual. Most women can feel the movement of the child after 18th week of pregnancy. If you are a long time do not feel the movements of the Child, lie on your left side and soak for 30 minutes or so longer. If you do not feel movement within 2 hours, call your doctor.
    * If you take insulin, it can lead to a drop in blood sugar levels below the safe level. Although very low blood sugar is uncommon in women with gestational diabetes need to know its symptoms, always carry food containing carbohydrate.

Gestational Diabetes - Causes and Symptoms

During pregnancy, the uterus develops organ called the placenta. The placenta connects the mother and child and the child provides enough nutrients and fluids. It also secretes several hormones, some of whom work of insulin - control blood sugar levels - so the mother must produce more insulin to keep blood sugar at safe levels. Gestational diabetes develops when the organ that produces insulin, the pancreas can not secrete enough insulin to keep blood sugar at safe levels.

Gestational diabetes - Symptoms

Because gestational diabetes does not cause symptoms, you should be screened for the presence of this condition. Usually it is held between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. You may be surprised if your test shows elevated levels of blood sugar. You must pass this examination, because high blood sugar during gestational diabetes can cause problems for both you and your child.

Sometimes it turns out that a pregnant woman who has symptoms, was living with another type of diabetes without knowing it. If you have any other symptoms of diabetes, they may include:

    *  Thirst.
    *  Frequent urination.
    *  Increased hunger.
    *  Blurred vision.

Pregnancy itself causes women to urinate more often and feel more hungry, so the presence of such symptoms does not always mean a woman has diabetes. Talk to your doctor if you have these symptoms, so he spent you test to detect diabetes.

Transferred to Whether Diabetes from Parents to Children

From parent to child with diabetes is not transmitted as a disease but as a predisposition to it. A child whose parents suffer from diabetes type I, is less likely to suffer than the one whose parents suffer from type II diabetes. Risk of developing type I diabetes increases a child both of whose parents are ill, the probability of this is from 15 to 20%. The probability that a child too ill with diabetes mellitus type 1, if the disease affected only one parent is not more than 5%.

Doctors recommend a good think before you have a child in a family where both men and women suffer from diabetes type I, as one of four children of this couple always get sick. If a couple decides on such a risky step, we must try to prevent this disease in the baby.

There are currently no reliable methods for the prevention of diabetes. The only thing to do - is to closely monitor the blood sugar level of the child. Than ever before will be identified first symptoms of the disease, the easier it will warn him. Waiver of sweets and carbohydrates in the diet restriction baby will not be able to prevent the emergence of diabetes.

From birth, the pediatrician should monitor those children whose both parents are sick with diabetes mellitus type-I. It should take a blood sugar once a year.

In cases where parents are sick with diabetes mellitus type II, the probability of ill during the life of a kid much longer, it is up to 80%. Very often, in families with patients with diabetes mellitus type II, the disease is transmitted to all blood relatives who have reached 50 years.

In addition to genetic predisposition, there are other factors that may lead to diabetes. One of the most dangerous factor is overweight. If you maintain a normal weight child at an early age, the probability of ill greatly reduced, even if one parent suffers from diabetes. Do not overfeed a child, watching his diet: eliminate all semi-finished products, white bread and fatty fried foods. Let's take a baby fruit and vegetables, preferably not treated thermally. You must set an example and develop a child's habit to eat right from childhood. In addition to healthy eating do not forget about physical activity. Give the child to engage in sports studio, or at least visit with him a gym as physical exercise - it is a good preventive maintenance not only of diabetes.

Diabetes and Pregnancy - 7 Tips for Women with Diabetes

If you are sick with diabetes, the decision to conceive a child - it's a big risk. Diabetes and pregnancy adversely affect each other.

The most dangerous as the first half of pregnancy. During this period, the flow is complicated by diabetes, appear labile forms, begin to develop complications as a result of deteriorating work the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys.

In the most severe forms, diabetes is a threat to the fetus and may even lead to death as a baby and mother. No less dangerous is diabetes, which runs hidden. Therefore, necessarily, before you conceive a child, the expectant mother should consult a doctor and pass the required tests.

If you are sick with diabetes and are pregnant, you need to get compensation for diabetes. For this effective method would be the proper organization of power, control of physical activity and total emotional harmony. Relatives and friends should surround you with love, affection and care.

7 tips for women with diabetes who want to have a baby.

Diabetes and pregnancy, Board 1
Only pregnant at a young age, possibly before the diabetes will affect the vascular system.

Diabetes and pregnancy, Tip 2
Take insulin during pregnancy. Do not make any exceptions, do not replace insulin saharoponizhayuschimi pills because they can lead to defects and deformities in the child.

Diabetes and pregnancy, Tip 3
Be careful what you eat. Do not need to overeat "for three", be sure to monitor the consumption of fat. Weight gain for the expectant mother - not more than 1,5 kg. monthly. Last 3 months of pregnancy, an increase of no more than 2,5 kg. Doctors recommend the best can be considered an increase in weight pregnant woman at 8 kg.

Diabetes and pregnancy, Council 4
Control your blood sugar, avoid hypoglycemia. Such differences have a negative impact primarily on the health of the fetus.

Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy Board 5
If the doctor offers admission and continuation of the pregnancy in the hospital, be sure to agree. Do not be too overconfident, even if the feel that diabetes is fairly compensated. Give birth to a specialized hospital. If you have any negative situations, be sure to settle for a cesarean, do not risk irreversible complications of purchase.

Diabetes and pregnancy, the Council on 6
Terminate a pregnancy upon request physician. If you are involved in this situation, sorry, but we need to find strength and to save at least their lives.

Diabetes and pregnancy, Board 7
Remember, pregnancy is considered an objective indicator of blood sugar, but not in the urine of pregnant women.

Diabetes and Pregnancy - Elements of a Healthy Pregnancy

Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy - a difficult combination. But I understand you perfectly, because to give the offspring - the goal of almost every normal human being. Even though the threat to health, the mother takes up the top.

I think pregnancy and childbirth - a happiness for which every woman simply must fight.

Let us consider in detail the problem of diabetes and pregnancy. Propose several recommendations for healthy eating expectant mother that will safely carry and deliver a child.

7 elements of healthy pregnancy

Zinc. Insufficient amounts of zinc - a big problem during pregnancy. Zinc is responsible for proper growth and development of the child, as well as immunity. For the mother, suffering from diabetes, be sure to get enough zinc, because it helps the pancreas to produce zinc insulin, and consequently control over the content of sugar and stabilizes blood cholesterol. For foods rich in zinc include my favorite nuts and fish.

Folic acid (vitamin B9, folacin). Folacin enough content in the mother's body is very important both before and during pregnancy. Daily intake of folic acid, 400-800 mg to avoid problems with growth and development abnormalities in the child. Folic acid - an indispensable element of patients suffering from diabetes. Fresh greens and vegetables contain it in sufficient quantity.

Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency - a consequence of the many diets that are harmful to expectant mothers, especially during pregnancy. Woman is experiencing a state of heightened blood pressure, which in medicine is called eclampsia. The normal dosage of magnesium - 200 mg. per day. Magnesium is found in foods such as nuts, vegetables, whole grains. For patients with diabetes magnesium plays a critical role in insulin release, the lack of it leads to the development of eye diseases, blood vessels and heart.

Cod liver oil. Responsible for the correct formation of brain tissue of the child. In recent years, doctors worried about high mercury content in canned fish, and therefore an excellent alternative for the expectant mother will be eating on 0,5-1 Art. l. Eskimo fish oil (checked for the absence of harmful elements). Take fish oil very carefully, since some researchers claim that fish oil may lead to insulin resistance.

Calcium. Daily intake of calcium for pregnant women - 150 mg. It is best to take calcium at night (better sleep) in the form of yogurt or milk, as calcium tablets are not always absorbed by the body. Calcium reduces the need for sweet, so is simply indispensable for people suffering from obesity and diabetes.

Iron. Daily intake of iron from 20 to 35 mg. Expectant mother is particularly needed to reflect on adequate use of products containing iron. Some doctors argue that the lack of iron leads to the development of infertility. In addition, iron-free you will feel weak, weakening the immune system and memory.

Water. The volume of blood of pregnant women increased by 25-30%, it can easily lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids, and be sure to avoid cases of the drying of lips and mouth. In patients with diabetes mellitus disturbance of acid-base balance, so drinking plenty of fluids just necessary for normal functioning. Symptoms of diabetes are well suppressed by drinking alkaline mineral water, rich in vitamins and trace elements.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) - Important Information for Pregnant Women

Today let's talk for a very serious topic - Diabetes in pregnant women.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) - a disease which is associated with carbohydrate metabolism, it is found only during pregnancy. Like any other form of diabetes, gestational diabetes is associated with a genetic predisposition.

During pregnancy in the expectant mother's hormonal changes occur. Sometimes arise and reject - the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of insulin, resulting in characteristic symptoms arise HSD.

Gestational diabetes mellitus manifests itself in 5-6 months of pregnancy. Expectant mother should not be afraid, because this is a temporary condition, which successfully controlled through diet and exercise, and usually goes away after childbirth.

A pregnant woman is very important to monitor blood glucose levels, otherwise complications can affect both the health of both mother and unborn child.

Women who had gestational diabetes, more than others, at risk of disorders of glucose metabolism and obesity, as well as have a high likelihood of developing DM-2 in the next 20 years of life.

According to statistics HSD suffer from 3 to 10% of pregnant women.

Major risk factors for GDM:

   1. Age of women over 30 years.
   2. High rates of sugar in the past, the GSD during a previous pregnancy, large fruit (more than 4,5 kg.)
   3. Family History - HSD, DM-2 and cases of major birth children in previous generations.
   4. Rapid weight gain in women and the development of obesity.
   5. Cases of unexplained stillbirth and congenital malformations in previous generations.
   6. Chronic vaginal candidiasis.
   7. Early preeclampsia and hydramnios.
   8. Multiple pregnancies.

Diagnosis of gestational diabetes:

   1. Typically, the disease is diagnosed at 26 weeks (or even earlier). There are special tests that determine the degree of glucose tolerance. A one-hour 50 mg. load of glucose helps to establish the risk factors and the presence of glucosuria.
   2. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed if the post-test blood sugar levels higher than 7.8 mg / dL.
   3. You should always confirm the test repeated 3-hour 100 g glucose tolerance test preoral.
   4. For the final diagnosis of GDM is necessary to investigate the dynamics of change of glucose for 2-4 interim analysis:
          * Fasting> 5.8 mmol / l
          * 1:00:> 10.6 mmol / l
          * 2:00:> 9.2 mmol / l
          * 3:00:> 8.1 mmol / l

Control of gestational diabetes before and after birth:

   1. The purpose of the doctor - after a meal, the patient achieved blood glucose <6.7 mmol / l
   2. Transfer of patients on dietary diet (diet number 9)
   3. If within 2 hours after a meal blood sugar level is> 6.7 mmol / l, usually appointed by insulin.
   4. Oral drugs that cause hypoglycemic reaction during pregnancy contraindicated.
   5. Be sure to monitor the status and development of the fetus.
   6. After giving birth to stop insulin injections and diet.
   7. Monitor glucose at 6 weeks after birth to analyze the OGTT.

How is Diabetes in Pregnancy?

Pregnancy in diabetes can be an ordeal for you and your loved ones. But still surmountable! We in advance with some statistical data and recommendations that will help you avoid complications.

During diabetes varies considerably during pregnancy. Identify several stages of changes in the expectant mother:

   1. The first trimester is different lower blood sugar levels, so it is necessary to reduce the insulin dose to 1 / 3;
   2. At 13 weeks on the rise in blood sugar that can cause severe condition of the woman until the coma. In this period should be carefully monitored glucose levels and consequently increase the dose of insulin;
   3. With 32 weeks the blood sugar level again begins to decline and the insulin dose was reduced to 70 - 80%;
   4. During childbirth due to the stress experienced by women may develop hyperglycemia, or because of severe physical fatigue of the body - hypoglycemia;
   5. After birth, the blood sugar level drops sharply and reaches a level that was before pregnancy, only 10.7 day post-partum period.

During pregnancy, hospitalization of women with diabetes, usually occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy to ensure timely diagnosis and compensation of diabetes. At 20-24 week could worsen the health of women and also require hospitalization. Last time when we should expect hospitalization, begins with 32 weeks, the cause may be a need for re-compensation of diabetes, and timing of delivery.

Pregnancy is bad for the woman with diabetes mellitus. Observed exacerbation of pyelonephritis, vascular diseases, the appearance of edema, increased blood pressure. Sometimes seizures may occur. Pregnancy in patients with diabetes can cause a lot of complications, even death of the mother or fetus due to diabetic kidney damage.

Miscarriage may occur in 15-30% of cases at 20-27 weeks of pregnancy. But do not despair, with proper and careful treatment of the probability of the threat of miscarriage, many pregnant women with diabetes is not higher than that in healthy women. Very frequent premature labor in diabetic patients. Cases of fetal death are most likely at 36-38 week. This may be an exacerbation of diabetes, preeclampsia and a large mass of the fetus. Probability of stillbirth was 29%.

Childbirth can be severe due to the fact that children of women with diabetes are born large (an increase of up to 60 cm, and body weight - 4.5 kg). Often the injuries as child and parent. Increases the frequency of postpartum infection, there is insufficient lactation in women with diabetes.

With poor treatment and complications of diabetes birth place prematurely (37 weeks). Often require surgical intervention and the use of caesarean section. But happily flowing pregnancy in compensated diabetes usually ends up normal, timely deliveries without the use of caesarean section. Importantly, to closely monitor the course of the disease and carry a full course of treatment prescribed by the attending physician, endocrinologist.

Treating Diabetes During Pregnancy

Even before conceiving a child a woman must take care of diabetes compensation and try to maintain normal blood sugar levels during pregnancy. During childbearing diabetes treatment should be limited to the timely determination of blood sugar levels and adjust his insulin through, as well as a healthy diet.

People with diabetes must consult with the endocrinologist on the diet. Energy value of food intake does not exceed 2000-2200 calories. Should reduce the intake of carbohydrates and 250 g, fat 70 g, at the same time is recommended to increase protein intake to 2 g per 1 kg body weight of future mothers.

If a woman is obese, the caloric content of food should be reduced to 1500-1800 kcal. Eating preferably 8 times a day. Should consume the same amount of carbohydrates. You can not eat sugar, jam, chocolate, cakes, ice cream, honey, grape juice, rice and semolina, as these products contain a rapidly absorbed carbohydrates. During gestation diabetes may gain weight not exceeding 10 kg.

A pregnant woman suffering from diabetes must take extra vitamins A, B, C, D, folic acid, as well as potassium iodide.

In the case when the diet does not help to control blood sugar and glucose on the rise, it is necessary to start insulin therapy. About 25% of women with diabetes require insulin therapy during pregnancy. Insulin therapy is indicated for too rapid growth of the fetus. Control the dose of insulin, time of administration and number of injections should be a doctor.

The patient with a mild form of diabetes can be controlled phytotherapy. Some plants have a pronounced hypoglycemic properties. You should use this collection for lowering blood sugar: 5 g of leaves of blueberries, green beans, oat straw, 2 g of dried burdock root, 3 g of flaxseed. Mix all ingredients, pour 600 ml boiling water, boil for 5 minutes., Insist 20 min., Then strain and drink 6 times a day with 50 ml of about six months. It is also recommended to drink 100 ml of 5 times a day, a decoction of leaves of bilberry. He prepared as follows: 60 g of leaves filled a liter of boiling water and brewed for 15-20 minutes., Percolates. All phytotherapeutic procedures should be performed only with careful monitoring of blood sugar, because reaction to a variety of herbs can be specific.

In addition to diet and herbal medicine recommended for pregnant exercise. Thanks to the athletic training muscles burn more glucose, which reduces its content in the blood. Very useful as physical exercise walking.

Remedy against the disease in the form of tablets, which treat diabetes type 2, pregnant contraindicated. These drugs have a deleterious effect on the child, passing through the placenta. They can cause the formation of various defects in the baby, so treatment should be kept for use only insulin. On what other methods of treatment of diabetes can be used during pregnancy.

For a safe pregnancy and childbirth, diabetics, like all women, should closely observe all the recommendations of doctors, eat right, do physical exercises and less worry.