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Diabetes Health Centre
Pregnancy |
Managing your Pregnancy with GDM
Here are some suggestions for managing your pregnancy when you have gestational diabetes:
Eat healthy meals
It is recommended that you avoid concentrated sweets and sugars such as all fruit juices. There are helpful recommendations in Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. It is important to eat enough food to promote a healthy, gradual weight gain. Foods containing carbohydrates such as starchy foods, fruit, some vegetables, milk and yogurt all contain natural sugars and will increase blood glucose. However, these foods should not be avoided as they are a necessary part of healthy eating habits and are important for normal growth of your developing baby. Servings of these foods should be spread out over the day into three meals and three snacks. A bedtime snack should include some carbohydrate.
If you have a sweet tooth and like to use sugar substitutes, be aware that these should be used in moderation as they may satisfy your hunger but cause you to eat less-nutritious foods. For example, diet soft drinks have no nutritional value and are no substitute for a glass of milk. However, evidence suggests that aspartame (Nutrasweet), sucralose (Splenda) and acesulfame potassium (Sunnett) are safe to use during pregnancy. A registered dietitian can provide you with specific and personalized suggestions for healthy eating during your pregnancy.
Be Active
If you have been active up to this point in your pregnancy, continued regular and moderate activity can help blood glucose control. If you have not been active, try going for a walk after a meal as this helps lower blood glucose levels naturally and is something many women can fit into their day. Other activities should be discussed with your doctor. For more information about exercise during pregnancy visit our Pregnancy Health Centre
Have your blood glucose tested regularly
Self-monitoring or laboratory testing of your blood glucose can provide you and your health care team with information about how best to manage your GDM. It also indicates whether other treatment is necessary, as some women need to take added insulin during pregnancy. If your doctor decides that frequent blood glucose monitoring is necessary, you will be taught how to do this. The frequency of self-monitoring is determined on an individual basis. Typically, if you need to take insulin, you will be taught to test your blood for glucose 2-4 times a day: before breakfast and then 2 hours after meals.
Learn to manage stress
Keep up your previous interests and hobbies, if possible. Learn relaxation techniques or join yoga classes for mothers-to-be. You may also find childbirth education classes provide you with reassurance and support at this time. Women often deal with stress through over-eating, especially on high fat or sweet foods. Many women also become less active when under stress. This can increase your blood glucose level. Being able to talk about your fears and frustrations with your friends, family or health care team can go a long way towards helping you resolve some of your concerns.
Back to Gestational Diabetes
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