How to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes?

Up to 9 out of 100 pregnant women experience a condition called gestational diabetes (GDM). It can increase your risk of having problems during pregnancy and during labor. So how can I reduce the risk of gestational diabetes?

When a pregnant woman is diagnosed with diabetes (diabetes), she is susceptible to emotional trauma from fear. However, unlike other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes usually disappears automatically after the baby is born.

Causes of gestational diabetes

During pregnancy, your body's cells become resistant to insulin , a hormone that helps transport sugar from the bloodstream into your cells so that your cells can use them. This causes the amount of glucose or blood sugar to rise. The extra sugar in the blood helps the fetus get more energy for development.

If the blood cells in your body become too insulin resistant and glucose is not transported into the bloodstream, then blood sugar becomes too high. It can cause problems for you and your unborn baby.

Who can get gestational diabetes?

Your chances of having diabetes or gestational diabetes increase if you:

Being overweight before pregnancy;

Have a family member with diabetes;

Ages 25 and older;

Have had gestational diabetes in the previous pregnancy;

Has given birth to an overweight (over 4kg) baby or stillbirth ;

Have abnormal blood sugar test results in the past.

You should consult your doctor about possible gestational diabetes and what symptoms to watch out for. Although there are many risk factors for diabetes , there are steps you can take to reduce your own risk of gestational diabetes.

Diet of pregnant women with gestational diabetes

Your doctor or a registered dietitian can help you choose foods that are healthy for your blood sugar . They also inform you about ideal serving time and portion management. In general, limit sweets as well as foods rich in carbohydrates .

Include fiber- rich foods with meals. Foods containing vegetables, fruit, bread , whole grain crackers, and whole grains. A daily intake of about 10 grams of fiber can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes by about 26 percent. In addition to food, taking a fiber supplement is also helpful in helping you reach the required amount of fiber. Talk to your doctor before you decide to take any supplements.

Physical activity helps reduce the risk of gestational diabetes

Regular exercise can help keep blood glucose levels in the normal range. Walking and swimming are good activities for pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

In one study, researchers found that women who exercised regularly before and during their pregnancy - about 4 hours a week - reduced their risk of gestational diabetes. 70% or more.

Talk to your doctor about how often and how much you exercise. That depends on your health condition.

How to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes after giving birth

Several risk factors increase the risk of gestational diabetes as well as type 2 diabetes in the future. If you have gestational diabetes, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy increases. After your baby is born, maintain a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Trying to exercise for a healthy prenatal weight will reduce your risk of developing diabetes later in life. However, you do not need to worry too much about having to fit into tight pants before. When you're overweight, losing just 5% to 7% of your body weight will help reduce your risk. For example, if you weigh 80 kg, losing only 4 kg makes a difference.

Losing weight after giving birth also helps you to be in a better condition to become an active mother.

Hopefully the article will provide useful information for pregnant mothers about gestational diabetes.