Treatment
If you have gestational diabetes, the chances of having problems with the pregnancy can be reduced by controlling your blood sugar (glucose) levels. You'll also need to be more closely monitored during pregnancy and labour to check if treatment is working and to check for any problems. Checking your blood sugar level You'll be given a testing kit that you can use to check your blood sugar level. This involves using a finger-pricking device and putting a drop of blood on a testing strip. You'll be advised: how to test your blood sugar level correctly when and how often to test your blood sugar – most women with gestational diabetes are advised to test before breakfast and one hour after each meal what level you should be aiming for – this will be a measurement given in millimoles of glucose per litre of blood (mmol/l) Diabetes UK has more information about monitoring your glucose levels. Diet Making changes to your diet can help control your blood sugar level. You should be offered a referral to a dietitian, who can give you advice about your diet, and you may be given a leaflet to help you plan your meals. You may be advised to: eat regularly – usually three meals a day – and avoid skipping meals eat starchy and low glycaemic index (GI) foods that release sugar slowly – such as wholewheat pasta, brown rice, granary bread, all-bran cereals, pulses, beans, lentils, muesli and porridge eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – aim for at least five portions a day avoid sugary foods – you don't need a completely sugar-free diet, but try to swap snacks such as cakes and biscuits for healthier alternatives such as fruit, nuts and seeds avoid sugary drinks – sugar-free or diet drinks are better than sugary versions; be aware that fruit juices and smoothies contain s Continue reading >>
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE)
- Diabetes in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment
- Type 2 diabetes and skin health: Conditions and treatment
Pregnancy Diabetes (gestational Diabetes)
Resistance to insulin develops in all mothers during pregnancy. In about 2 to 4 per cent of women this results in temporary diabetes. It happens because pregnant women have less ability to produce extra insulin to overcome this insulin resistance. Pregnancy diabetes is also called gestational diabetes. Pregnancy diabetes is more likely: if you have had pregnancy diabetes before if you have had multiple pregnancies (4 or more) if you're older (over 25) if you're overweight if you smoke if you're from a minority ethnic group (South Asian or African Caribbean) if there is a previous history of a large baby (more than 10lbs, or 4.5kg). What are the symptoms? In most cases, pregnancy diabetes has no external symptoms and is detected through screening. Only rarely do the classic symptoms of diabetes appear, eg excessive thirst, frequent urination and tiredness. Checking urine for glucose is a routine antenatal test, but is unreliable for diagnosing diabetes. Criteria for screening for diabetes vary from place to place, but generally, all mums-to-be should have their blood sugar level checked between 26 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. This is done by testing glucose levels in a sample of blood on two occasions. One of two tests will be used to do this: the random glucose test or the fasting glucose test. If these tests show you have raised glucose levels, you will need a more detailed test to diagnose diabetes. This is called an oral glucose tolerance test. You should also be offered a glucose tolerance test if you are at increased risk of diabetes because of family history, obesity or having had it in a previous pregnancy. How does it affect the baby? The importance of pregnancy diabetes is still the subject of some debate, but mothers with it tend to have bigger babies, more diff Continue reading >>
The Upside To My Experience With Gestational Diabetes
The Upside to My Experience With Gestational Diabetes When I was pregnant with my first child, my OB told me that because I have polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS), I had a higher risk of getting gestational diabetes (GD). While most moms-to-be get tested for GD around 27 weeks, she tested me at 12 weeks. I gulped down the disgusting sugar water with my slightly swollen belly and silently hoped I'd be the exception. When I failed that first test, I continued to hope I'd pass the next. Three more little bottles of sugar water and five hours spent pacing the doctor's office later, I got the dreaded news. "You have gestational diabetes. It's common for PCOS patients to get GD, and I'm hopeful that with diet and exercise, you won't have to take insulin," my doctor told me. I hung up the phone and cried. I'd fought for this pregnancy -- endured years of waiting and suffered two miscarriages . Was I really having to face this, too? I'd heard so many stories from friends about GD leading to tough pregnancies and big babies. I was already terrified of pushing that melon out of my body; I couldn't bear the thought that she'd look less like a honeydew and more like a giant watermelon. I called a friend and her words still echo in my heart, "Jess, I think this is going to be a blessing." I wasn't even sure what she meant at first. How is it a blessing to have to spend six months on a strict diet, possibly take insulin shots and be robbed of the joy and midnight ice cream runs that come with pregnancy? I met with a nutritionist that next week and we laid out a plan including a strict, low- and controlled-carb diet. I could only consume a certain number of carbs per day, and those carbs had to be spaced well throughout the day to ensure my blood sugar levels did not rise. Thankful Continue reading >>
Working Full Time & Pregnancy With Type 1
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community Working full time & Pregnancy with type 1 Discussion in ' Pregnancy ' started by marie85 , Jan 1, 2017 . Just wondering how many of you faired when pregnant and working full time? Did you reduce your hours? Or Go off early before mat leave started? I'm nearly 20weeks and have a stressful-ish job with some long days leaving house at 7.30am back home 7pm. After initially having a nice burst of energy after the morning sickness of first trimester I find that I'm getting more tired & I'm still having nighttime hypos(getting less though)... I set my phone alarm twice/night to check that I'm within range(not high or low) and also have a Dexcom but my nighttime hypos were severe in first trimester and afraid to rely on it 100% incase it fails. (Just a side note-couldn't recommend it highly enough though-I don't have a pump but find the CGM invaluable - last Hba1c was 41/5.9% partly thanks to it!) So between the waking every few hours at night combined with the tiredness of being pregnant and working full time I'm starting to wonder how other people coped? The baby will always come first but I'm afraid of letting people down too by calling in sick etc! If I call in sick, my colleagues will have to take on my work. Any advice/previous experience would be great Congratulations on your pregnancy! It all depends on you. I worked full time for my 1st 2 pregnancies (no. 2 was twins) and was ok. I was working in the City for my 1st so that was long hours. For my 3rd pregnancy i worked nearly full time (earlier start, earlier finish) but that was harder going as i had 3 kids at home to deal with. I went off at 35 weeks for pregnancies 1 and 3 as i knew when i was bei Continue reading >>
- Improved pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes but substantial clinic-to-clinic variations: a prospective nationwide study
- Is It Time to Change the Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Paradigm? No! Metformin Should Remain the Foundation Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes
- For the Last Time, I Have Type 1 Diabetes, Not Type 2 Diabetes! There’s a Big Difference
Taking Medication And Insulin For Gestational Diabetes
Depending on the levels of glucose in your blood when you are diagnosed, you may be given the option of reducing your levels through dietary changes and exercise alone. If your levels are still high after a week or two though, you will be offered metformin tablets. If your fasting blood glucose levels are high and you have particular complications such as macrosomia (where the baby is very large) or hydramnios (excessive amniotic fluid), your team may recommend that you start immediate insulin treatment, with or without metformin (as well as dietary and exercise changes). "If I’d understood more about it, I’d have stuck with the diet and found ways to lower my blood glucose levels. Having insulin is not just a quick fix so that you can eat what you want." Kiera, mum of one There are two different types of diabetes medication suitable for women with gestational diabetes: tablets and injection. Tablets - metformin and glibenclamide In pregnancy, there are two types of tablet that you may be offered to help keep your blood glucose at a healthy level: metformin and glibenclamide. Metformin reduces the amount of glucose made by the liver and helps your body respond better to the insulin you produce naturally Glibenclamide lowers blood glucose by stimulating your pancreas to produce more insulin. Like all medication, they carry a risk of side effects, so check the patient information leaflet and talk to your doctor about any possible side effects. Although the patient information leaflet will say that these medications are not to be used during pregnancy, there is strong evidence in the UK for their safety and effectiveness in treating diabetes during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare team if you have any concerns. Insulin injections If tablets are not suitable for you, Continue reading >>
Lowering Your Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Here Is What You Need To Know
Have previously had polycystic ovary syndrome Have previously given birth to a large baby Are from an Indigenous Australian or Torres Strait Islander background Are from a Vietnamese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Polynesian or Melanesian background How to reduce therisk ofdeveloping gestational diabetes Whileresearch has provided some evidence to show that a healthy lifestyle before pregnancy can help to reduce a womans risk of gestational diabetes, some women who eat well, exercise and have great overall health can develop gestational diabeteswhen the changing pregnancy hormones make the body more resistant to insulin. We also know that some of the risk factors for gestational diabetes are things you cant change such as age of family history, Melinda says.So focusing on the things you can change such as healthy eating, regular physical activity and aiming to be a healthy weight before pregnancy are some of the things that women can do to reduce their risk. Melinda says aiming for a healthy weight, or as close as possible to your healthy weight range, before pregnancy can help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.She recommends women speak to an accredited practising dietitian for individual advice. There is also evidence suggesting that the amount of weight gained during pregnancy is important, Melinda says.So its recommended that women discuss individual weight gain targets for pregnancy with their health professionals.The amount of weight gain recommended during pregnancy will depend on your weight at the start of pregnancy. Melbourne dietician Melanie McGrice shares withBabyologysome other positive steps women can take to help reduce their risk.Heres her top tips for lowering your risk of developing gestational diabetes bymaintaining a nutritious diet and lifestyle. Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes: Twins On Board
Are you pregnant? Have you been tested for gestational diabetes? Celeste Smith lost a baby due to this condition. Here's what she wishes she had known before she fell pregnant. Are you pregnant? Have you been tested for gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes is a condition in which women without previously diagnosed diabetes have high blood sugar during pregnancy. This condition can lead to complications for mother and baby during the pregnancy, and, if left untreated, could also cause seizures, miscarriage and still birth.However, with early detection and treatment, you can manage these problems and still have a healthy baby. Capetonian Celeste Smith is no stranger to gestational diabetes: she has had it twice, most recently during her pregnancy with twins Connor and Adam. She tells Bridget McNulty of Sweet Life Magazine , what she wishes she had known before she fell pregnant. Why are you sharing this very personal story? I want to educate, encourage and motivate women with gestational diabetes, and prevent other women from having to go through what I and many others had to endure. How did you find out you had gestational diabetes? My first pregnancy was stillborn: Noah was born at 38 weeks. I didnt know I had gestational diabetes until after Noah was born. We suspected that I could one day become diabetic because it runs in my family, but my doctor at the time never picked it up. When I wanted to fall pregnant again, my new doctor, Dr Jansen immediately tested for glucose tolerance before I fell pregnant, and then again after I fell pregnant. Thats how we found out I had gestational diabetes again. Whats tricky about gestational diabetes is that it goes from nothing to full-blown diabetes very quickly. Its only when youre pregnant, so theres no warning beforehan Continue reading >>
- Assistance dog Molly trained to detect when twins' glucose levels become unstable during class
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
Gestational Diabetes: Q And A
A. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It is different from having known diabetes before pregnancy and then getting pregnant. Gestational diabetes is generally diagnosed in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and usually goes away after the baby is born. Gestational diabetes can cause problems for the mother and baby, but treatment and regular check-ups mean most women have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. A. Gestational diabetes affects between 10 and 15 per cent of pregnancies in Australia. Women of certain ethnic backgrounds Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern, African, Maori and Pacific Islander are more at risk of developing gestational diabetes than women of Anglo-Celtic backgrounds. Other factors can also increase your risk, including: having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy; taking medicines that can affect blood sugar levels (such as corticosteroids and antipsychotic medicines); and previously having a very large baby (more than 4.5 kg). Q. How would I know if I had gestational diabetes? A. Gestational diabetes does not usually give rise to symptoms. For this reason it is important to be tested during pregnancy, usually between 24 and 28 weeks. Women with risk factors for diabetes may be offered testing earlier than this sometimes at the first antenatal visit, which is often at around 10 weeks. Women who do develop symptoms may experience: symptoms of recurrent infections (such as thrush); and Women who experience symptoms at any stage of pregnancy should be tested for diabetes. Q. What is the test for gestational diabetes? A. The usual screening test for gestational diabetes is called a glucose tolerance test. This test is routinely recommended f Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Conjoint Associations of Gestational Diabetes and Hypertension With Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Disease in Parents: A Retrospective Cohort Study
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
Diabetes 9 To 5: Tips To Help You Manage Your Diabetes At Work
When television's perennially popular Mary Richards walked into WJM's Minneapolis newsroom in 1970, she did more than show the world a single girl could "make it on her own." The award-winning actress who portrayed her -- Mary Tyler Moore -- also showed us diabetes and a career could coexist. Moore was diagnosed with adult-onset type 1 diabetes in the 1960s, several years before her Emmy-winning show began. But that didn't stop Moore from pursuing her career or turning the world on with a smile. Today, millions of people afflicted with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are following in Moore's footsteps. They're refusing to let diabetes get in the way of their careers. "I made a decision early in my life to find a career where diabetes and success could coexist," says Paul Strumph, MD. Strumph is chief medical officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He also has type 1 diabetes. "I don't wear it like a badge," he says. "But clearly my career has not suffered because of my diabetes." The same is true for San Diego resident Aaron Synder. Synder was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when he was 20. Today, at age 30, he's a successful trader. "I have a job that requires me to be at work before 5:30 a.m., and I sometimes stay until 5:30 p.m.," Synder says. "I'm continuously surrounded by free candy, sodas, and chips on a daily basis. But I still manage to keep my blood sugar under control and not let my illness interfere with my job." In addition to his job, Synder, is a patient counselor and is also writing a book to help other people with diabetes gain control of their life and career. It isn't always easy to do what Synder and Strumph do. Both agree that having diabetes does present some workday challenges. But, says endocrinologist Lauren Golden, MD, knowledge is the k Continue reading >>
32 - 36 Weeks The Toughest Time...
Between 32 - 36 weeks are what we know to be the toughest time for gestational diabetes. It's at around this point that we typically see insulin resistance worsen. You think you have your gestational diabetes diet sussed out and you can literally wake and eat the same breakfast you've been tolerating well for weeks on end and get crazy blood sugar levels?! What the heck is going on and what did you do wrong???... Firstly, you've done NOTHING wrong! This is to be expected and is completely normal and typical with gestational diabetes. To understand what's going on, we need to understand a bit about gestational diabetes and how it works... Gestational diabetes is a progressive condition Gestational diabetes typically presents itself between 24 - 28 weeks. It is for this reason that it is around this time where screening for gestational diabetes typically takes place. It should be noted that insulin resistance can be detected much earlier than this time also, especially in subsequent pregnancies where the mother previously had gestational diabetes. Many ladies are told that earlier diagnosis means that they may have undiagnosed Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. We have found that this is not the case when ladies are tested following the birth of their baby and so we advise not panicking and waiting until you have your post birth diabetes testing before causing yourself too much distress. Further information on post birth diabetes testing can be found here. Gestational diabetes is caused by increased hormones levels from the placenta that cause insulin resistance. Those diagnosed with gestational diabetes are not able to increase insulin production to meet the additional requirement, or they cannot use the insulin which has been made effectively and so blood sugar levels remain to Continue reading >>
Blue Pineapple Blog Gestational Diabetes Part I Its Not Your Fault
Gestational Diabetes Part I Its Not Your Fault That first-round, gestational diabetes test that most pregnant women take is bad enough chugging an 8-ounce drink with as much sugar as 3 full flavored cans of Coke youre more likely to barf after this than after a tequila shot. If you are borderline, the second-round test is even more grueling several rounds of sugar drinks and blood drawings. By the end of this I was dragging around the OBs office and lying down on a loveseat down the hallway in a hidden nook. But whats worse than THAT is getting the phone call from the nurse who says, I have your test results. YOU have gestational diabetes. With hardly any time to react she follows that up with, and now you need to go to the pharmacy to pick up your blood sugar monitor and supplies, call this number and sign up to attend the gestational diabetes course, track your sugar for a week and call this number to see a perinatologist. Whoa there! I have diabetes? Me? Ive always eaten healthy, exercised and watched my weight. How could this be happening? And what is a perinatologist? The nurse assured me that this wasnt lifestyle related and that hormones produced during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters counteract the effectiveness of insulin in your body and that the levels of these hormones are even higher for women who are expecting twins. Thats it its just science. And the perinatologist just a fancy name for a doctor who specializes in keeping mom and babies healthy during higher risk pregnancy. That explanation wasnt the end of that for me though. I felt like a failure. I have always taking pride in my health. Sure, I enjoy desserts and I take days off from the gym, but overall I had a healthy lifestyle. Cutting back on exercise after a spotting Continue reading >>
- Shankara Wellness Blog | Does Ayurveda Hold The Key To The Diabetes Problem In Children And Adults? - Shankara Wellness Blog
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Why Your Dentist Is Part of Your Diabetes Treatment Team
Gestational Diabetes Made Me A Better Mom
Gestational Diabetes Made Me a Better Mom Diabetes gets a bad rap and deserves it, but gestational diabetes actually changed me for the better. I had this diagnosis with all three of my children. It was a hard pill to swallow during my first pregnancy, but one I readily accepted with my next two because gestational diabetes taught me a lot about myself, my health, and the kind of mom I wanted to be for my kiddos. I wasnt all that worried when I flunked the one-hour glucose test during my first pregnancy. I had eaten a large bowl of ice cream the night before after polishing off some Mexican food with my in-laws. I fasted correctly for my three-hour test, but hung a lot of my hopes on the claim that the majority of women fail the one-hour test and do fine on the three-hour test. When the nurse called me at home, I cried because it just did not seem fair. Self-pity took over for the rest of the day. I had already had two miscarriages prior to this pregnancy, which made me feel like I was owed a perfect nine months of getting fat and feeling comfortable baby kicks. I wanted to eat pancakes for a mid-afternoon snack and have milk shakes at every meal. After a sleepless night, I did some on-line research. It was comforting to hear that a lot of women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. And like most things, women can handle it. I visited a diabetic counselor the next week, and we worked on a food plan. She explained that patients rarely need insulin if they follow the diabetic guidelines about portion control and making good food choices. It seemed pretty straightforward and, lucky for me, I had my husband on hand to listen to the medical advice. I got a monitor, testing strips, and some pen needles to check my blood sugar four times a day. That evening, I had my first Continue reading >>
Faqs About Gestational Diabetes
This is the most comprehensive page on some of the most frequently asked questions about GD. Let us know if we missed something and we will add it in our list of questions. Note: GD means Gestational Diabetes. What is GD? What are the signs and symptoms? What kind of weight gain should I expect? Gestational vs type 2 diabetes. How does apple cider vinegar effect? What are the cut off values for GD? What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? What are the screening tests available? What should the fasting blood glucose be when pregnant? What is the correlation between GD and jaundice with the newborn? What foods should I avoid? What is the correlation with gestational hypertension and GD? When do you get tested for this issue? What causes it? Who is at risk? What is the risk of getting diabetes after being diagnosed with GD? What is the risk of my child getting diabetes after I am diagnosed? What are some healthy breakfast ideas for someone with this issue? Is there a risk if taking Zantac? Does Zofran cause it? Are Zone bars okay to eat while pregnant? Is the Zone diet okay to do while pregnant? What is the prevalence of GD in New Zealand? Is yogurt okay to eat? Is it normal to have yeast infections? Is it okay to take Xylitol during pregnancy? Is it okay to have a vbac? Does vitamin D help? What are the considerations for vegetarians? What are the risks if you don’t treat? Am I at greater risk of GD since I am carrying twins? What are the risks for the baby when mom has GD? What should I do about this issue after I deliver the baby? Is there any way to prevent it? What is the pathophysiology? PCOS and GD. What is the prevalence? Does oatmeal help? When is the usual onset? Does obesity increase the chance of getting it? When do I have to take Metformin Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
A Positive Approach To Gestational Diabetes
A Positive Approach to Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy is an exciting time full of rapid changes. In up to 10% of pregnant women, a condition called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can develop because of hormonal changes and cause expectant women to feel discouraged or even guilty. This article seeks to help these women understand the condition, realize they are not at fault, and, most importantly, empower them with positive ways to have a healthy pregnancy. The diagnosis of GDM is an opportunity to become even healthier than you were before you became pregnant. Please note: While aimed at women with GDM, the information below can be applied to many women in all stages of life. Blood sugar control is important for everyone! Lets review what insulin is and how it works, because this is fundamental for understanding GDM. When someone ingests any type of carbohydrate (bread, fruit, beans, rice, etc.) it is broken down into sugar, or glucose, in the bloodstream. This sugar travels through the bloodstream where it looks for an entry way into the cells so that it can be used as energy. However, for glucose to be let into a cell, insulin is needed to open the door to the cell. Imagine a glucose molecule standing outside a cell door asking to be let in, and insulin comes and acts as the key that opens the door. Pregnancy hormones and excess body fat can block the lock of the cell where insulin usually fits. As a result, insulin is unable to open the doors as efficiently as needed. If insulin is unable to open the door, then the body starts making more insulin to try to compensate. As a result, there is lots of insulin and lots of glucose in the bloodstream, but neither is working very efficiently, and very little glucose is actually getting into the cells. When diabetes dev Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Cannabis Oil For Diabetes? The Positive Effects Of CBD On Insulin And Metabolism
- CBD Oil And Diabetes - The Positive Effects Of CBD On Insulin And Metabolism
Gestational Diabetes Diet And Meal Plan
Learn what you can eat and what foods you shouldn't eat, plus recipe ideas, for gestational diabetes. Have you been diagnosed with gestational diabetes? At first, it might feel stressful to have to closely watch what you eat and know that if you dont, you and baby can be at risk for problems. But it can also be empowering to know that eating right can help keep you and baby healthy. So go forth and eat like a smart, savvy mom-to-be anddare we say it?maybe even enjoy it a little. Heres how. Gestational diabetes is a condition where your body doesnt properly regulate the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. It affects between 2% and 10% of pregnancies each year. If you have gestational diabetes, it most likely was brought on by the weight gain and/or hormones released by the placenta and will most likely go away after delivery. For most women, the sign they have gestational diabetes is having an elevated blood sugar level in a glucose tolerance and/or glucose challenge tests that youll take between 24 weeks pregnant and 28 weeks pregnant . After a gestational diabetes diagnosis, the doctor will likely talk with you on how to check your blood sugar levels, and recommend you discuss a personalized eating plan with a registered dietician. Eating according to a gestational diabetes meal plan will help protect your baby from potential complications of gestational diabetes, which include high birth weight and preterm birth. But dont stress: smart eating can help you and baby stay healthy. Totally worth it. Theres no one-size-fits-all food plan that works for every mom-to-be with gestational diabetes. Much of it means paying attention to how many carbs youre eating in relation to protein and fats. Carbs make blood sugar spike the most, so they should be limited. (Sorry if yo Continue reading >>
