What You Need To Know About Gestational Diabetes

Posted on: 20 August 2019

Pregnancy can be a roller coaster ride. Even with all of the advancements in modern medicine, pregnancy can be a dangerous time.

Gestational diabetes is one of the complications that you should be concerned with when pregnant. Your baby could be born early, suffer from respiratory distress syndrome, and have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life if you have gestational diabetes.

You will want to work closely with your OBGYN to help diagnose and treat gestational diabetes during your next pregnancy.

Risk Factors

The management of gestational diabetes should begin before you become pregnant. Talk to your OBGYN if you are trying to conceive. Your doctor will go over your current health condition and medical history to determine your risk level for contracting gestational diabetes.

Expectant mothers who are overweight, older, and have a family history of gestational diabetes may have a higher likelihood of being affected by the condition. More frequent doctor visits and lifestyle changes will likely be implemented prior to the pregnancy to help catch any warning signs early and treat gestational diabetes before it gets out of control.

Early Diagnosis

The best way to reduce the potential for gestational diabetes to have a negative effect on you or your unborn child's life is to catch the condition early. If you are considered high-risk by your doctor, regular testing for gestational diabetes will begin once you have made it through your first trimester.

All pregnant women will be tested as they enter the final stages of pregnancy when the risk of blood sugar issues is greatest. Gestational diabetes is identified by checking blood glucose levels after you have ingested a sugary drink. If the initial test shows a high blood glucose count, additional tests will be administered to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

There are some things that you can do to try and treat or prevent gestational diabetes. Your OBGYN may suggest that you lose some weight prior to becoming pregnant to help reduce your risk level for the condition.

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your doctor will have you work with a dietitian to develop a meal plan that will help keep blood sugar levels low. Regular exercise can also be a beneficial tool to keep gestational diabetes in check.

The last thing that you want to worry about is the possibility of complications due to gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. Work with your OBGYN to identify risk factors, test for the condition early, and treat gestational diabetes to ensure a successful pregnancy.

For more information, contact a doctor like George L Stankevych, MD.

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Hello. I’m Kaitlyn Masters. Welcome to my website about OBGYN services. When I was pregnant with my first child, I had severe morning sickness throughout the entire pregnancy. It was so bad that I had to have regular IV fluids to keep my baby and I hydrated and healthy. My OBGYN acted as a constant source of support in keeping us healthy and comfortable through this process. I decided to create this site to help others understand the value of having a quality OBGYN on your side. Whether you are pregnant or never plan to be, you can benefit from having this professional looking out for you.

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