Articles
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational
Diabetes
Gestational diabetes
is a type of diabetes that is associated with elevated blood sugar levels
during pregnancy in women who have not previously been diagnosed with diabetes.
In this condition, the pregnant woman’s body becomes less effective at using insulin
due to increased insulin resistance in the body’s cells. This resistance
is caused by hormones produced by the placenta, which are essential for
maintaining a healthy pregnancy but inhibit the action of insulin,
leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Who Is at Higher
Risk for Gestational Diabetes?
Although there is no
single known cause of gestational diabetes, certain women are at higher risk
due to factors such as:
- A family history of diabetes (e.g.,
mother or father)
- Pregnancy at an older age (over 25
years)
- Overweight or obesity
- Previous unexplained fetal death
- Previous birth of a large baby
(over 4 kg)
Complications and
Side Effects
For the baby:
- Macrosomia (large baby size), making delivery more
difficult
- Low blood sugar after birth
- Breathing problems
- Stillbirth
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
For the mother:
- Increased risk of cesarean delivery
and preeclampsia
- Urinary tract infections due to high sugar levels in the urine
- Higher chance of developing type 2
diabetes or gestational diabetes in future pregnancies
Nutrition
Guidelines for Women with Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women with
gestational diabetes should follow a healthy and balanced diet to avoid
sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar. Recommended strategies include:
- Eating 5–6 meals daily, divided
into main meals and snacks at regular times, with a small bedtime snack
if insulin is used
- Due to increased insulin resistance in the
morning, limit starchy foods and choose only one carb exchange at
breakfast
- Eat at least 2–3 servings of vegetables
daily, raw or cooked, for their fiber content which helps slow sugar
absorption and prevent constipation
- Consume 2–3 servings of fruit
throughout the day instead of juices for their fiber; fruit is best eaten
as a snack
- Focus on complex carbohydrates such
as whole grains, legumes, and brown bread for sustained energy and
essential nutrients
- Avoid sugar, honey, jam, sweets, and
canned foods with added sugars, and replace them with natural
options
- Limit caffeinated drinks as much as
possible
Exercise and
Gestational Diabetes
- Physical activity is essential for managing gestational diabetes, as it
helps lower blood sugar levels and reduces insulin resistance
Note: Consult your doctor to ensure there are no restrictions before engaging in physical activity.
L. Kathleen Mahan, Janice L. Raymond (2017). Krause’s Food and the nutrition care process (14 editions