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06/10/06
01:44 PM
"I amd very small and don't wANT a big baby which I am told will happen with gestational diabetes. What can I eat to insure my levels don't go any higher.I'm hungry all the time am 7 months pregnant and have gained the alloted 15 pounds..l need your help to know what to avoid and what I can eat I appreciate your help. Courtney"
Asked By:
nankelley
Category:
Gestational Diabetes
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Expert Answers (1)
06/10/06
01:44 PM
I hear your anxiety about having a big baby, however, having gestational diabetes does not guarantee a big baby. Actually, if you follow a meal plan and take medication, if needed, you can have a baby that is a healthy size. You have asked some very important questions. I am guessing by your questions that you have not seen a dietitian yet. The first thing you need to do is ask your physician for a consult to see a dietitian, preferably one who is also a certified diabetes educator, to design a meal plan for you. The meal plan is individualized according to your nutritional needs and your food preferences. Explain to the dietitian about the foods you normally eat, especially culturally important foods, and she will try to work these foods into your meal plan as much as possible. Usually most foods can be incorporated; however, portion sizes may need to be smaller than before the pregnancy. Foods such as rice, beans and fruits have a lot of carbohydrate or starch. Carbohydrates are the foods that specifically raise the blood sugar levels. These foods can be eaten in moderation.
The dietician will also teach you about label reading and counting grams of carbohydrate.
You will also need to monitor your blood sugar to evaluate your blood sugar several times per day. If you have not been instructed on monitoring blood sugar ask your doctor for an appointment to see a nurse that is a certified diabetes educator for education.
Since you have had gestational diabetes, you have between a 20% and 50% risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next five to ten years. If you are African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American, your risk is higher. One other issue to be aware of , recent studies have shown that children of mothers with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life, they also have a higher risk of being obese. The following links will provide more detailed information.
Risk of Type 2 Diabetes After Pregnancy
Gestational Diabetes
Six to twelve weeks after you deliver your baby you will need to repeat the glucose tolerance test to confirm that the diabetes has gone away. You will need to have your blood sugar tested every one to three years. To try to decrease your risk for developing diabetes try to exercise thirty minutes 5 days per week, maintain a healthy body weight, and eat a diet low in saturated fat and calories.
Deborah Greenwood APRN,BC-ADM, MEd, CDE
Financial Disclosure
Risk of Type 2 Diabetes After Pregnancy
Gestational Diabetes
Six to twelve weeks after you deliver your baby you will need to repeat the glucose tolerance test to confirm that the diabetes has gone away. You will need to have your blood sugar tested every one to three years. To try to decrease your risk for developing diabetes try to exercise thirty minutes 5 days per week, maintain a healthy body weight, and eat a diet low in saturated fat and calories.
Deborah Greenwood APRN,BC-ADM, MEd, CDE
Financial Disclosure
Answered By:
Deborah Greenwood
Accreditations: MEd, CNS, BC-ADM, CDE
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