Gestational diabetes, or diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy affects up to 9.2% of expectant mothers. If left uncontrolled, it puts both mother and baby at risk for complications. Fortunately, careful management of blood sugar, diet, exercise, and medication under a high-risk pregnancy doctor's supervision can lead to good health outcomes. Below, we have outlined a few ways gestational diabetes could be managed by a pregnancy expert.

Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy


Early diagnosis

Getting diagnosed early is the pivotal step to manage gestational diabetes. All pregnant women should be screened for gestational diabetes between 24-28 weeks. If results are abnormal, additional testing will confirm the diagnosis. Target blood sugar levels, in this case, are under 95 mg/dL fasting and under 140 mg/dL 1-2 hours after meals. Testing blood sugar 4-6 times per day can help the healthcare provider assess the level of fluctuations better.

Dietary regulations

Dietary changes form the cornerstone of treatment. The goal is to maintain steady blood sugar by eating small, frequent meals with a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Complex carbs like whole grains, fruits and starchy vegetables are preferred over simple carbs from sugary foods. Portion control is important, as is limiting carbohydrates to 35-45% of total daily calories. Ask a high-risk pregnancy specialist in Kolkata to refer you to a nutritionist for personalized meal-planning guidance.

Exercise 

In addition to diet, exercise lowers blood sugar. After getting medical clearance, aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity, like walking per week. However, overexertion can cause hypoglycemia, so monitoring blood sugar pre- and post-exercise is advisable.

Medications

If lifestyle measures are not enough, oral medications or insulin injections are often prescribed to normalize the blood sugar level.

Gestational diabetes may pose considerable challenges to the pregnancy journey, but the challenges are far from insurmountable. Consult a high-risk pregnancy expert to seamlessly navigate the threats posed by gestational diabetes.