Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes- Blood Sugar issues during Pregnancy & caused by stress of pregnancy on the Pancreas
So when we first get pregnant, there is usually so much excitement and worry and everything in between. There are certain conditions that can occur during pregnancy that can affect you and your baby’s health. The one we’re going to talk about today is gestational diabetes (GDM). Occurring in up to 9% of pregnancies, gestational diabetes affects how your cells utilize blood sugar.
—> Hormones from the placenta block and diminish your body’s ability to use or make insulin. Insulin helps your body maintain the appropriate amount of glucose (blood sugar) in the blood. Weight gain and other factors make pregnant people more naturally insulin resistant – and some develop gestational diabetes as a result.
—> GDM does not develop because you had undiagnosed diabetes prior to pregnancy; it occurs because of the pregnancy. Usually diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks, GDM can feel like a scary diagnosis.
Fortunately, GDM is a well-understood and well-managed diagnosis. We also have new information that came out in 2024 showing that GDM can be directly related to DAD’S HEALTH as his genetics are what determines the Placenta health.
Some risk factors for developing GDM include:
High blood pressure and/or heart disease
Advanced maternal age > 35
Being overweight or obese prior to pregnancy
A family history of type 2 diabetes
Prediabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Oftentimes, people who develop GDM are asymptomatic. If there are symptoms, they often include frequent urination, fatigue, excessive thirst and nausea. Of course, some of these symptoms can overlap with things typically associated with pregnancy. This is why it is so important to get screened and work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan. Unmanaged GDM can lead to complications for you and your baby, including:
Excessive birth weight
Early (preterm) birth
Difficulty breathing
Low blood sugar
Obesity and diabetes type 2 later in life (for both you and baby)
Higher incidence of C-section
Hypertension and preeclampsia
There are no guarantees for prevention with GDM. However, there are a few things that you can do to help lower your risk of developing it. This includes starting your pregnancy at a healthy weight, increased exercise and physical activity, eating a balanced diet, and not gaining more than the recommended weight for your body while pregnant. This ALSO GOES FOR DAD! Before 2020, we were letting dad’s off of the hook with how much their health matters to the health of the baby AND your pregnancy. Thank GOD we know better now. If we can get Dad’s on a GOOD multivitamin, decreasing smoking/alcohol intake, exercising (even if it is just walking) and sleeping well- your likelihood for a good pregnancy goes WAY WAY up!
If you are diagnosed with GDM- your OB may refer you to a dietician that specializes in GDM. Consuming a balanced diet is one of the best things you can do to help manage your blood sugar levels.
Consuming lean proteins (chicken, eggs, fish, low fat dairy), non-starchy veggies (broccoli, cucumber, onions, peppers, greens), healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts and nut butters, seeds), and complex carbohydrates (legumes, berries, whole wheat bread and pasta, Greek yogurt) is very important.
It is also equally crucial to avoid sugary beverages and simple carbohydrates/processed foods. It can be helpful to plan your meals ahead of time (meal prep Sundays!) and keep a food diary to track what you are eating.
Eat a vegetable and protein with every meal and most snacks. Buying frozen veggies can make meal prep easier.
Keep a water bottle on hand to stay hydrated and avoid liquid sugar & calories. There are Pinterest recipes for at-home Gatorades/electrolytes that can help make staying hydrated so much easier & without sugar!
As with any pregnancy complication, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and scared. The good news is that GDM normally stops once you give birth. However- and this is the sucky part- it does increase your risk of Type 2 Diabetes in your older years so we want you to keep a healthy lifestyle past your childbearing years. In the meantime, Gestational Diabetes can be managed well with diet, exercise and support from your healthcare provider!
If you have any questions or need more help- please reach out! If it isn’t something we can answer- we have great Dietitian’s (@ZeroAltitudeWellness) who help women through this ALL the time and are available virtually!
<3 The Recharged Performance Therapy Team
https://www.rechargedperformancetherapy.com/
Paige@RechargedPerformanceTherapy.com
(321) 802-1630
References
https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9012-gestational-diabetes
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/gestational-diabetes.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545196/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-should-you-eat-when-youre-on-a-gestational-diabetes-die