Description: Diabetes that can develop during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. Although it cannot always be prevented, pregnant women can take measures to reduce their risk.
The experts believe that between 2 and 10% of pregnancies each year are affected by gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes can cause difficulties for both the mother and the foetus. Possible consequences include: The rise in mother’s blood pressure; a greater risk of preeclampsia; a greater likelihood that she may develop type 2 diabetes later in life; high birth weight and early delivery; and low blood sugar levels in the new-born.
Continue reading for tips on preventing gestational diabetes. In this blog, we also discuss risk factors, early warning indicators, and symptoms.
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Preventive measures
Although gestational diabetes cannot always be avoided, there are steps that women can take to lessen their risk of developing it.
- A healthy weight should be maintained during pregnancy
A woman who is attempting to get pregnant should adopt lifestyle changes to assist her reach and maintain a healthy weight before getting pregnant. The analysis of a 2018 study came to the conclusion that being overweight was a significant risk factor after reviewing data on gestational diabetes collected over a ten-year period.
According to additional research, if a woman’s BMI is higher than 25, she has a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes. The scientists emphasized that changing one’s diet reduced the risk.
- Make routine medical appointments
A woman should frequently see a gynaecologist throughout pregnancy for normal care. Throughout these meetings, the doctor will ask about the pregnancy and any new symptoms.
In order to assess the developing foetus, they will also conduct a pelvic examination and employ ultrasound technology. A doctor may be able to recognize some of the early signs of gestational diabetes and can also suggest preventative measures.
Between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, a pregnant woman will receive a gestational diabetes screening. The doctor will provide her advice if it is found that she has gestational diabetes in order to prevent further issues.
- Maintain a good diet
Due to morning sickness, cravings, and dietary aversions, pregnancy can make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet. But with careful eating, a woman may guarantee that she only gains a healthy amount of weight during each trimester and lessen her risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Avoid the following:
- Packaged foods
- Beverages with extra or added sugar, such as coffee drinks, energy drinks, juices, and store-bought sodas
- Exercise
Exercise is necessary to keep your weight within a healthy range. Exercise can help women avoid gestational diabetes both before and during pregnancy. It increases the body’s receptivity to insulin produced by the pancreas, which aids in blood sugar regulation.
Starting to be active before to becoming pregnant is a good idea, even if it necessitates little, long-term lifestyle changes. For someone who follows a sedentary lifestyle, the following actions may be helpful:
Walking or bicycling to work; parking farther away and walking the remaining distance; exercising outside with kids; trying yoga, ideally in a class tailored specifically for beginners or expectant mothers; engaging in low-impact exercises, like swimming.
When should you see a doctor?
Gestational diabetes can typically be discussed at a routine prenatal visit. However, anyone who observes changes in their symptoms or other problems should speak with a doctor or other healthcare provider as soon as possible. A physician can be consulted regarding the patient’s symptoms in order to determine whether further testing is necessary.
