Approximately 4% of women who are pregnant in the United States will be affected by gestational diabetes. It is a misunderstood disease in that medical research has been unable to pinpoint why women suffer from it during pregnancy only to see it disappear after the baby is born. The stress and increased hormonal activity associated with pregnancy is thought to be a factor but women who are at risk will need to follow a diet for gestational diabetes.
Expectant mothers who were already diabetic at the time of conception will also need to follow this type of diet.
Any woman with gestational diabetes should consult with a registered dietician to help create the proper diet plan for her and her unborn baby. Control of blood sugar levels during pregnancy is of the utmost importance and modification of dietary intake is the best way to accomplish this.
During a pregnancy the goal of the diet for gestational diabetes is to ensure the proper amount of calories and nutrients for the mother and baby while also keeping blood glucose levels under control. The diet itself is individualized to each woman based on her height and weight.
Blood glucose levels will also need be tested and measured at least four times a day. This is done to ensure that the woman’s blood sugars remain under control through out the day. The frequency of testing can be decreased once good glucose control is established but self monitoring will need to continue through out the pregnancy.
It is important that the meal plan meet the nutritional and weight gain needs of a normal pregnancy. During the first trimester of a normal pregnancy the woman should gain from 2 to 4 pounds. Once the second and third trimester starts the weight gain should average a pound a week. Caloric intake will need to be increased by approximately 100 to 300 calories per day during the second trimester. At the same time protein will need to be increased to 10 grams per day. This can be accomplished by drinking 2 glasses of milk or eating 1 to 2 ounces of meat each day.
One of the biggest dangers of inadequate caloric intake is diabetic ketoacidosis. A pregnant woman should never restrict the amount of calories she eats unless so directed by her doctor. The calories she does eat should come from highly nutritious foods and should not be less then 1700 to 1800 per day.
Any pregnant woman who is diagnosed with this dangerous disease will need to follow a diet for gestational diabetes to ensure the health and well being of her unborn baby.
I am going to start seeing the perinatologist for uncontrolled gestational diabetes. Will I still see the OB on a regular basis and only go to the perinatologist for the diabetes also? Will my regular OB still do the delivery or will the perinatologist do it? What can I expect out of my visits with the new doctor and what sort of extra testing will they do on the baby if I have to take insulin?
I was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I would like some good meal and snack ideas. If you can help, I would be very appreciative. Thanks!
Neeta Shah, MD, Vice President of Women’s Health at the North Shore-LIJ Health System discusses critical topics on the health of women. In episode #13 Dr. Shah talks about gestational diabetes, the causes and risk factors and how to manage the condition for both mother and baby. Her guest is Marie Frazzitta, MSN, manager of the Center for Diabetes in Pregnancy at the Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at North Shore-LIJ.
I’m 33 weeks pregnant and was recently diagnosed with a touch of gestational diabetes. I am no longer allowed to have more than 15g of carbs for breakfast before 10:00 am. So I have been reduced to some fruit and a glass of milk or yogurt for breakfast. Prior, I was a milk and cereal, muffins, oatmeal, eggs, bacon, and toast eater for breakfast. Now I am starving again after I’ve been at work for an hour with this reduced carb breakfast. It’s hard to have the energy I need to keep up at work when I haven’t had a filling breakfast. I start at 8:00 and I don’t get my lunchbreak until 1:00 usually. I can bring a snack to tie me over until lunch, but I still can’t even eat that until after 10. So do you have any good ideas of foods that will fill me up better but still be within the 15g of carbs guideline?
My husband is 31 years old. He got type 2 diabetes 4 years ago. We now have a newborn and I’m nervous he will get diabetes in his life as well. Anyone know the risks? Thank you!
PS – I am not diabetic and did not have gestational diabetes either. My son was born full term and of healthy weight and size.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy when the woman develops diabetes but loses it affect birth sometimes or when treated. I want to know how adaptation and acclimation play a part.
I would like to know if you suffer from diabetes type 1 was it caused by gestational diabetes or genetic? Do you have a controlled diet, take insulin and exercise? I am doing a research on gestational diabetes and would like to know if affects the child as they grow. Please, Please, i need your responses and honesty. I need about 50 responses. Thank you all…
I am waiting for my second round of blood work to come back with the results as to whether or not i have gestational diabetes. My OB said she is pretty sure it will come back positive so while im waiting for the final results i want to make sure im not ingesting to many carbs. What is the suggested intake of carbs for someone with gestational diabetes and/or Type 2 diabetes?
iabetes Explained | Life Insurance Information
