There are some important things to remember regarding gestational diabetes that you can address before becoming pregnant.

This section will look at these steps in more detail.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about what you can do to reduce your risk of developing gestational diabetes. This is the first step in the process.

Another way that you can keep gestational diabetes at bay is to be physically active. It is important to get 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity most days of the week. This exercise could include things such as walking, yard work, or riding a bicycle, among other exercises.

Be sure to make healthy food choices by eating a variety of foods that are low in fat and reduce the number of calories you eat each day. This will also help with the goal of maintaining a healthy weight.

There are three different types of diabetes. They are:

1. Type 1 is when the body does not make insulin.
2. Type 2. This is when the body does not use insulin the way it should.
and
3. Gestational - This diabetes that happens in pregnancy due to hormones of pregnancy. This is the type we are going to cover in this module.

Here is a short video provided by the American Diabetes Association with a brief outline of gestational diabetes. Click on the screen to watch the video.

Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that only takes place during pregnancy. It usually disappears after the mother gives birth. Approximately 10% to 20% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes. Depending on your risk factors, you could be tested at any point during your pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes starts when your body is unable to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose (blood sugar) cannot be converted to energy - something that is very important during pregnancy. When this happens, glucose (blood sugar) builds up in the blood to high levels which is called hyperglycemia.

You are probably wondering what are some possible effects of gestational diabetes if I develop it during my pregnancy. First, let's look at what effects it might have on you as the mother.

1. There is an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes after your pregnancy.
2. You are more likely to have a baby that is larger than 9 pounds if your blood glucose is not well-controlled. This is a condition called macrosomia. It also increases your risk for injury during delivery because giving birth to a larger baby is hard on the pelvic floor.
3. If, by chance, you do have a large baby, your chances of having a Cesarean delivery are increased. The main drawback to this is that it takes longer to recover from a c-section than it does for a typical vaginal delivery.
4. Uncontrolled gestational diabetes also increases your risk of high blood pressure.
5. And, of course, as we discussed earlier, if the glucose in your body is not converted to energy, you may feel more sluggish than usual.

Gestational diabetes can also have an effect on your baby. As we mentioned in "Problems for Mom", this can lead to a big baby. This doesn't sound like this would be a problem, but it could lead to a difficult delivery for both mom and baby. For mom, this may lead to a Cesarean delivery; and for baby, his or her shoulders or arms could be damaged in the case of a vaginal delivery.

Because the baby has been producing extra insulin during pregnancy, he or she may have very low blood glucose (sugar) at birth. The infant is also at higher risk for breathing problems at birth. This may lead to your baby being sent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for IV medications.

There is also an increased risk of jaundice.

Babies with excess insulin become children who are at risk for obesity and adults who are at risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
However, the low blood sugar (glucose) can be treated with early feedings and monitoring.

There are some risk factors that are associated with gestational diabetes. These are factors that increase the possibility of you developing gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. You should be aware of these, so let's go over them now.

There are definitely some risk factors that might increase the chances of you developing gestational diabetes. Let's look at what these might be.

Your chances of developing gestational diabetes increase if you:

1. Have a family history of diabetes.
2. Have had a previous birth of a very large baby (over 9 pounds at term) or a stillbirth.
3. Are overweight.
4. Had a previous pregnancy in which you developed gestational diabetes.
5. Are of a non-Caucasian background (Asian, African American, Native American, Hispanic).

Women with a strong family history of diabetes may be tested earlier in pregnancy than the usual 24-28 weeks. They may be tested as early as the first prenatal visit. Also remember that you may get gestational diabetes even if you did not have it in earlier pregancies.

If, during your pregnancy, you do develop gestational diabetes, there are things that you can do to ensure a normal pregnancy. It does take a little planning and some self-discipline, but it will be worth it in the end.

Be sure to go to all af your prenatal visits. It is at these visits that your doctor can monitor your glucose levels and make sure everything is going to plan with your pregnancy. Follow your doctor's recommendations for controlling your blood glucose. This can help reduce the risk of having a large baby.

As we discussed earlier, be sure and make healthy food choices. During your pregnancy, there is a greater need for calories for you and your baby. These added calories need to come from healthy foods. This is really important when you have gestational diabetes.

Click on the Play button in the lower, right-hand corner to watch a brief video about healthy eating from the American Diabetes Association.

Exercise is important for a healthy pregnancy. When dealing with gestational diabetes, exercise can play an important role. It can make the insulin that your body produces naturally work better. It helps to lower your blood glucose level without medication. Exercise must take place 4 to 5 times a week for 20 to 30 minutes in order to see the insulin effect. The best time to exercise is right after a meal when the blood glucose level is highest. Be sure to discuss your exercise plan with your doctor.

Ask your health care provider to see a dietitian or a diabetes educator. A registered dietitian can assist in developing a meal plan specifically designed to meet your individual needs. Meeting with a dietitian is beneficial because you can discuss your likes and dislikes when creating your meal plan rather than using a pre-set plan.

Your meal plan should:

1. Provide the needed nutrition for you and your baby.
2. Keep blood glucose levels within a normal range.
3. Permit the right amount of weight gain.

You may be wondering, now that you have delivered and the pregnancy is over, what can you do to reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. The following section will let you know some things that may help. A lot of the steps are similar to what you were doing during your pregnancy, but it is worth revisiting.

Women that develop gestational diabetes have a greater than 60% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. You need to follow up with your health care provider. Please get tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born. This testing requires a fasting period of at least 8 hours. If the test is negative, it is important to continue testing on the schedule your healthcare provider gives you.

Just as you did before and during your pregnancy, you want to stay physically active. This is one of the best ways to avoid developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Continue to make healthy food choices. This is something that should take place regardless, but it is especially pertinent to those that have developed gestational diabetes in the past.

It is a good idea to maintain a healthy weight. With the healthy diet and active lifestyle, this part should be easier. Achieving the right body weight for your body type will reduce your chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Be sure to ask your healthcare provider about Type 2 Diabetes prevention and care after delivery. You also need to ask to see a dietician or a diabetes educator to learn more about prevention.