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Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a temporary type of diabetes that appears during pregnancy but disappears once the baby is born. It develops in approximately 2 to 5 percent of all pregnant women. Like other forms of diabetes, it indicates that your body is having a hard time handling the sugar in your blood.
The test involves drinking a very sweet liquid, which contains 50 grams of glucose. Unfortunately, you have to choke down the sugary liquid within five minutes. The sugar enters the blood quickly, causing your blood glucose level to rise in a matter of 30-60 minutes. A blood test measures the degree to which your body metabolizes the glucose. (Be warned: You might feel extra jittery or nauseous after this test. And don't be surprised if all that energy makes your baby extra busy for the day.)
You're more likely to develop gestational diabetes if:
- You are overweight;
- You are 35 or older;
- Diabetes runs in your family;
- You have given birth to a very large baby before;
- You have had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy.
The babies of women with gestational diabetes are generally much bigger because of the extra sugar they get during the pregnancy. They may have blood sugar issues at birth and they are more likely to be jaundiced.
In severe cases your doctor or midwife might put you on oral medication or insulin but gestational diabetes is usually managed with diet and exercise.
"A diet heavy in whole foods will fill you up and leave little room for processed foods, which contain most of the triggers for diabetes," explains says Karen Gurwitz, author of "The Well-Rounded Pregnancy Cookbook". She offers these tips:
- Build your diet around whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean proteins.
- Discover new ways to nourish your cravings — such as a fruit smoothie fortified with flax seed oil and freezing fruit (like grapes or mashed bananas) for a tasty treat.
- Avoid artificially sweetened anything, which is not good for your baby and your cravings.
- Eat frequently throughout the day (five to six mini-meals instead of 3 big ones) will keep blood sugar levels steady (and energy levels high, and cravings at bay).
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