Dealing With Gestational Diabetes

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down for an interview with Marc Sklar, an acupuncturist and fertility expert, to discuss gestational diabetes. In addition to helping couples struggling to conceive, Marc has worked with women at risk for – and who are diagnosed with – gestational diabetes and agrees that a lower-carb, real food approach works best to manage their blood sugar levels. He reached out to me after hearing about my book and has since been recommending it to his patients as a guide for optimizing preconception and prenatal nutrition. During our interview, we chat about the pitfalls of the conventional gestational diabetes diet (you’ll recall that it fails 40% of the time) and the best tips for both preventing and managing gestational diabetes. Dealing with gestational diabetes can be a challenge, but when you have the right information, it’s much easier to handle. In this video interview, we specifically discuss: Why managing blood sugar levels matters (and possible consequences of uncontrolled sugar during pregnancy) How gestational diabetes can affect a baby’s lifetime health risks (and how to minimize those risks) Preconception tips for mom and dad to optimize fertility and prenatal health How vitamin D levels, exercise, first trimester protein consumption, and more affect gestational diabetes risk (Fast forward to 21:55 – 26:25 to catch the part about vitamin D. And for more on the topic, read this.) Simple, real food strategies to help balance blood sugar levels If you’re dealing with gestational diabetes, you’ll walk away from this interview with a clear understanding of what’s going on in your body and how to manage your blood sugar, naturally. Of course, this interview is just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to learn more, c Continue reading >>

The Truth About Gestational Diabetes {and Why It’s Not Your Fault!}

So you’ve had the Glucose Tolerance Test, or maybe you’ve been monitoring you’re blood sugar levels at home, and your blood sugar readings were high. You have been given a diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes. If your experience was anything like mine, an Obstetrician or midwife gave you a pamphlet on ‘Diabetes and Pregnancy’, referred you to a dietician and endocrinologist for management, and then sent on your way. And now you’re at home, and all the questions you didn’t think to ask are flooding in… What the heck is it? And what does it mean? Will my baby be alright? Do I need a caesarean? Will I need to be on insulin? What can I eat? Do I have to stop eating CHOCOLATE?!?!?! There is some debate against the use of routine testing to diagnose Gestational Diabetes, and also questioning about giving the diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes as a label on pregnant women. Dr. Sarah Buckley recommends avoiding routine testing for Gestational Diabetes for most women. Henci Goer and Dr Michael Odent are among many pregnancy and childbirth professionals who argue against diagnosing women with gestational diabetes, citing unnecessary stress and interventions as one of the risks of the Gestational Diabetes diagnosis. Nevertheless, whether you want to call it Gestational Diabetes or Pregnancy-Induced Insulin Resistance, or just high blood sugar levels in pregnancy, some women do have elevated blood sugar levels and need some extra help. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM or GD) is described as a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, and usually goes away 4-6 weeks postpartum. In a pregnant woman without Gestational Diabetes, the body works ‘as usual’. You eat, your stomach breaks down your food, you start to digest it, and the glucose from the carbohydrate Continue reading >>

Dealing With Gestational Diabetes Naturally

If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes it may throw you into a state of shock and confusion, especially if you’ve been eating a nutritious diet during your pregnancy. Pregnancy is time of constantly changing hormones so try to be gentle on yourself and calm yourself with the knowledge that there are a few natural steps you can take to ensure the health of you and your growing bub. Symptoms of gestational diabetes are usually mild but complications to mum and bub can occur so it’s important to take advice from you doctor. A doctor may prescribe insulin therapy if required. As the chance of both mother and baby developing Type II diabetes is increased after gestational diabetes, these steps could be important in the prevention of future problems. Like many health issues in our modern world, a lack of nutrients combined with the over-consumption of highly processed non-foods with no nutritional value will be a major contributing factor. After consulting with your healthcare professional, follow these guidelines and listen to your body. Eat regularly. Consume nutritious food every 2-3 hours. A major cause of all types of diabetes is irregular eating when the body learns to expect a hit of sugar and calories but is then subjected to long periods with no nutrients. This can negatively affect insulin receptors and mess with your metabolism. Eliminate sugar and refined grains. Get rid of the white stuff like biscuits, lollies, cakes, ice cream, white bread, flour and rice. A well-balanced diet of wholefoods will be of great benefit to you and your growing baby. Consume carbohydrates with protein and good fats. Carbs are what affect your blood sugar so if you can limit them to vegetables, fruit and if you can tolerate it, whole grains like brown rice or quinoa, Continue reading >>

9 Gestational Diabetes Dos And Don’ts

1 / 10 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy With a Gestational Diabetes Diet Pregnancy already comes with a long list of things that you should and shouldn’t do to achieve the best outcomes for you and your baby. But if you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), then you need to learn some more dos and don’ts to keep your blood sugar under control and make sure that diabetes doesn’t harm your pregnancy. You will need to learn about a gestational diabetes diet — foods and lifestyle habits that help stabilize your blood sugar — as well as, possibly, gestational diabetes treatment. This may include diabetes medications your doctor prescribes during pregnancy to keep your blood glucose under control. It is possible to have a healthy pregnancy with gestational diabetes, but you must take care of yourself to reduce your risk of the following: An overly large baby Cesarean delivery (C-section) Miscarriage Preeclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure) Preterm delivery Stillbirth Other poor health outcomes for your baby Long-term health effects for you Controlling your blood glucose is important for everyone, young and old. But for pregnant women, good blood sugar control is important before, during, and after pregnancy to reduce the chance of diabetes complications. According to the Mayo Clinic, good blood sugar control during pregnancy can help prevent or reduce these risks: Prevent complications for the baby Prevent complications for the mother Reduce the risk of birth defects Reduce the risk of excess fetal growth Reduce the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth Reduce the risk of premature birth To keep blood glucose under control during pregnancy, it’s important to check your blood sugar level frequently. If you are Continue reading >>

How To Deal With Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

There are currently over 199 million women living with diabetes and this total is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040. Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths each year, says International Diabetes Federation, the non-profit association promoting diabetes care, prevention and cure worldwide. As a result of socioeconomic conditions, girls and women with diabetes experience barriers in accessing cost-effective diabetes prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and care, particularly in developing countries. Diabetes and Pregnancy We know that the key to a healthy pregnancy for a woman with diabetes is keeping blood glucose (sugar) in the target range – both before the patient gets pregnant and during her pregnancy. To do this, the patient needs a diabetes treatment plan that keeps meals, exercise and insulin in balance. This plan will change as they change with pregnancy. Patients will need to check their blood glucose often and keep a record of the results. With blood glucose in the target range and good medical care, the chances of a trouble-free pregnancy and a healthy baby are almost as good as they are for a woman without diabetes. Before pregnancy: Despite advances, babies born to women with diabetes, especially women with poor diabetes control are still at greater risk for birth defects. For this reason, good blood glucose control before the patient gets pregnant is very important. If the blood glucose levels are not in good control, they need to be brought under control before pregnancy. During pregnancy: Pregnancy is often a time of great highs and lows of blood sugar, so good prenatal care are essential. Many changes occur in the body due to the pregnancy and because of diabetes these changes Continue reading >>

How To Deal With Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

How to Deal with Gestational Diabetes during Pregnancy Some women diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy. This is known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Like different sorts of diabetes, gestational diabetes influences how your cells utilize sugar (glucose). It is prescribed that all ladies get checked for gestational diabetes toward the start of the third trimester. The hormonal changes during pregnancy is one of the reason of gestational diabetes. The way to dealing with your condition is following your glucose levels. This encourages you take control of your condition and make sure that your treatment process is working. More often than not, you have to test yourself using a special device before you eat or drink anything, and afterward maybe a couple hours after having food. Here are the top 10 ways to deal with gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Test your Glucose Level Frequently It is essential to watch out for your glucose level to reduce the risk of complications from gestational diabetes. Check your fasting and postprandial (post-dinner) glucose levels a few times each day. You'll require a diabetes pack that incorporates needles to prick your finger, test strips and a little machine called a meter that peruses your glucose. Check your glucose level before anything else to get your fasting rate and after that two hours of eating your first food. Additionally, check your glucose level a hour after you eat your meal to ensure your glucose remains in a normal range.You're fasting glucose level ought to be under 95 mg/dL, while your two-hour postprandial glucose objective ought to be under 120 mg/dL. Consult your doctor if the sugar level remains high. Eat Fiber Rich Foods To keep your glucose level normal, it is essential to eat more fiber rich food. Continue reading >>

A Day In The Life….with Gestational Diabetes

WhenI first found out I was pregnant again, I was thrilled. We’d just been through a loss of a pregnancy in January and I really had no idea what kind of journey lay ahead. But in the back of my mind I’d already started worrying about Gestational Diabetes. I’d had it with MJ and really wanted to be proactive this time around. So at my first prenatal appointment my OB suggested I start testing my blood sugar right away, and sure enough, at just 10 weeks I was diagnosed again. Even though I kind of expected it, I was still in shock. I’d lost 55lbs since having MJ, was eating clean 80% of the time, working out 5-6 days a week and was in the best shape of my life! I thought those things would protect me this time around, but that’s the thing with Gestational Diabetes, sometimes those things just don’t matter. And that’s the case with me. Even if I’m exercising and following a strict meal plan, I still wake up in the morning with a high fasting blood sugar. My body just can’t handle the hormonal challenges of pregnancy. This has been hard for me to accept, because I feel like people have misconceptions about GD and make assumptions about my lifestyle or assume I should be able to control it with diet alone, that’s just not the case for me. Here’s what a day with Gestational Diabetes looks like for me. 7:00 am Test Fasting Sugar and Eat! First thing in the morning I have to test my blood sugar and my doctors would like it to be below 95. I tried several different “tricks” to get this number down without medication, but nothing worked for me. I just can’t control that number with diet alone. When I was first diagnosed, this time of day was especially hard for me because I had terrible nausea and headaches that would come on early and needed to eat b Continue reading >>

Dealing With Gestational Diabetes

I’ll be 35 weeks pregnant by tomorrow and I’d like to believe that I’m handling my gestational diabetes tremendously well, which basically means I haven’t caved in and scarfed down a whole pizza pie or chocolate cake (although I really, really want to!!!). The great news is I have been able to keep my blood glucose numbers in check with dietary changes so my endocrinologist will no longer prescribe meds or insulin. However, I still have to continue monitoring my blood sugar level an hour after meals. When I first consulted my endocrinologist, she required me to take blood readings before and after meals, but my pre-meal readings were consistently normal so I have graduated to taking readings only after meals. Yay me! My endocrinologist gave me the MyStar Extra glucometer from Sanofi Aventis for free and the kit contained the machine and a lancet pen enclosed in small zip-up bag for portability. This post from OLX says that the glucometer costs Php3,800 so if that’s true, then it’s absolutely fantastic that I didn’t have to pay for it. I still have to buy the testing strips and lancets though, since those aren’t included in the kit. The BG Star testing strips cost about Php1,300 for 50 pieces or Php700 for 25 pieces, while the One Touch Ultra Soft lancets are much cheaper at about Php400 for a box of 100 pieces. I was able to buy the lancets in both Mercury Drugstore and Watsons, but the BG Star test strips were only available in Mercury Drugstore. When I first started with my gestational diabetes ordeal and had to test 6x a day, I would go through a 50 piece pack of test strips in only 8 days. So that’s roughly Php5,000 per month just for the test strips and Php1,600 for the lancets. But now that I only have to test 3x a day, my costs were cut in half. Continue reading >>

Gestational Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar

Introduction Women who take insulin shots or take the medicine glyburide are at risk for low blood sugar levels. Most women with gestational diabetes do not have problems with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If your blood sugar (glucose) drops very low, make sure to get treated immediately so that neither you nor your baby is harmed. Key points Low blood sugar occurs when the sugar level in the blood drops below what the body needs to function normally. Women who take insulin may get low blood sugar if they don't eat enough food, skip meals, exercise more than usual, or take too much insulin. These steps can help you avoid a life-threatening emergency from low blood sugar: Test your blood sugar often so that you don't have to guess when your blood sugar is low. Know the signs of low blood sugar (sweating, shakiness, hunger, blurred vision, and dizziness). The best treatment for low blood sugar is to eat quick-sugar foods. Liquids will raise your blood sugar faster than solid foods. Keep the list of quick-sugar foods in a convenient place. Wait 10 to 15 minutes after eating the quick-sugar food, and, if possible, check your blood sugar again. Keep some hard candy, raisins, or other sugary foods with you at all times. Eat some at the first sign of low blood sugar. Check your blood sugar before getting in a car. And don't drive if your blood sugar level is less than 70 mg/dL. Teach your friends and coworkers what to do if your blood sugar is very low. More information about diabetes can be found in these topics: Return to topic: Continue reading >>

Coping With Gestational Diabetes

I got diagnosed with GD on Monday, and I have had to do quite a radical diet change but my morning sugars are too high (over 5) how did you get them lower? I don’t want to go on insulin and I am following the rules to the letter. How did you cope and regulate everything? It seems to me that before diagnosis I was eating less now I am eating small meals what feels like constantly (every 2 hours) GD – gestational diabetes (Medical disclaimer: Tips provided need to be considered in conjunction with medical advice. For immediate concerns, please contact HealthDirect (Australia wide) ph 1800 022 222 – to talk to a registered nurse 24hrs a day, and in emergencies call 000.) * Note diabetes needs to be carefully managed by your medical team* I was diagnosed with GD at 26 weeks. I found a few things that helped lower sugars. Firstly always have protein with your carbs. I found things like chicken and eggs always bought my levels down. So eat more protein. Secondly I started walking for 40 minutes every morning and noticed a huge difference. My levels dropped drastically. Keep a food diary as everyone is different and responds differently to certain foods, eg I couldn’t eat low gi raisin toast or bananas but could eat pasta, low gi soy and linseed bread etc. I always had a glass of milk before bed too. You will work out what works for you. My boy was born at 38 weeks healthy and 6lb 13oz. Good luck! Pip I had the same problem. I did end up on insulin, but what helped for a while was having a protein based snack right before bed. No carbs, just protein. Also, every time I woke up I drank some water. Also remember guidelines are just that, guidelines. I stressed out completely, worried I was making my baby sick as I couldn’t get those morning numbers under control (rest Continue reading >>

Gestational Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar

Overview Women who take insulin shots or take the medicine glyburide are at risk for low blood sugar levels. Most women with gestational diabetes do not have problems with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If your blood sugar (glucose) drops very low, make sure to get treated immediately so that neither you nor your baby is harmed. Low blood sugar occurs when the sugar level in the blood drops below what the body needs to function normally. Women who take insulin may get low blood sugar if they don't eat enough food, skip meals, exercise more than usual, or take too much insulin. These steps can help you avoid a life-threatening emergency from low blood sugar: Test your blood sugar often so that you don't have to guess when your blood sugar is low. Know the signs of low blood sugar, such as sweating, shakiness, hunger, blurred vision, and dizziness. The best treatment for low blood sugar is to eat quick-sugar foods. Liquids will raise your blood sugar faster than solid foods. Keep the list of quick-sugar foods in a convenient place. Wait 10 to 15 minutes after eating the quick-sugar food, and, if possible, check your blood sugar again. Keep some hard candy, raisins, or other sugary foods with you at all times. Eat some at the first sign of low blood sugar. Check your blood sugar before getting in a car, and don't drive if your blood sugar level is less than 70 mg/dL. Teach your friends and coworkers what to do if your blood sugar is very low. Continue reading >>

Dealing With Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes is a form of type 2 diabetes that is only present during pregnancy. However; having gestational diabetes puts a woman at elevated risk of developing diabetes outside of pregnancy in the future. Gestational diabetes can be very serious if not treated properly, as it increases risk of preeclampsia in the mother, large birth weights, postnatal hypoglycemia, jaundice, and still birth. Therefore it is important for women to know the main risk factors for the condition, which include: - Body Weight – The higher an individual’s body mass index (BMI), the higher the risk for gestational diabetes. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy is also a risk factor. - Ethnicity - Individuals with Hispanic, African, Native American, South or East Asian and Pacific Island ancestry all have greater risk. - Family History - Having a close family history of type 2 diabetes puts an individual at greater risk. The condition is often asymptomatic; therefore standard practice recommends that all pregnant women get screened for it during the third trimester of their pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed through a glucose tolerance test that measures the level of glucose in the blood, which may be followed by additional testing if the results from the original test are abnormal. If a woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes during her pregnancy, it is important that she receives the proper prenatal and postnatal care to ensure her safety, as well as the baby’s. Fortunately, Cone Health’s Center of Excellence in Women’s Health has an exceptional network of obstetrics and gynecology specialists dedicated to providing the best care possible for women with gestational diabetes. Spokesperson Background: Dr. Carolyn Harraway-Smith is an OB/GYN at Cone Health� Continue reading >>

Bittersweet

Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes can be a shock, but it could also turn out to be a long-term boon for you and your baby. Besides being an “older” mom, Cecilia Paetsch had no risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, or high blood sugar during pregnancy). “i thought it was really only a concern for obese women, and my weight wasn’t an issue,” says the 35-year-old attorney from Northbrook, Ill. “I was also pretty conscientious about what I ate, and somewhat consistent about exercise, so I figured i was in the clear.” Paetsch’s pregnancy was normal and routine—until she was diagnosed last year with GDM at week 25. Paetsch is one of a growing number of women being diagnosed with GDM, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports now affects 2 percent to 10 percent of expectant women. in 2011, the American Diabetes Association endorsed lowering the threshold for diagnosis, but most OB-GYNs are still utilizing the old standard. If the proposed new criteria are used, the number of women diagnosed with GDM could jump to 18 percent—nearly 1 in 5, says Mark Landon, M.D., chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. GDM develops when hormones from the placenta compromise a woman’s ability to use the insulin produced by her pancreas. Though most women compensate by producing extra insulin to break down glucose (blood sugar) for energy, some can’t; their excess glucose builds up in their blood and passes through the placenta to the fetus. Recent studies indicate GDM can have long-term consequences for mothers and children and that it poses risks at lower blood-sugar levels than previously thought, says Landon, the lead author of a large 2009 stu Continue reading >>

Dealing With Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a blood sugar disorder that can happen during pregnancy. Although it usually isn’t a lasting condition, it has some potential long-term effects. It can also cause complications during birth, and it may affect the baby as well. If you are planning a pregnancy, it’s a good idea to learn all you can about dealing with gestational diabetes. What Causes Gestational Diabetes? A pregnant woman’s body needs to produce more insulin than usual. If it cannot do that, she will develop high blood sugar levels. Any pregnant woman can have gestational diabetes. However, you may be more at risk depending on your age, weight, ethnicity, and other factors. If your gynecologist has reasons to suspect that you are at risk, they may refer you to other professionals. Why Is It Dangerous? When you have gestational diabetes, you will most likely have a normal pregnancy. However, you’ll need very frequent checkups. Your body may develop too much amniotic fluid, which can cause you to go into labor too early or complicate the birth itself. Gestational diabetes doesn’t have a long-term impact on your baby. But it may make your baby grow larger than usual or have low blood sugar after birth. If you had gestational diabetes once, you will likely have it again the next time you’re pregnant. Additionally, it increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. - Advertisement - What about Treatment? The most important part of dealing with gestational diabetes is showing up for every checkup. Doctors have to monitor women who have this condition more closely than usual. After birth, the baby’s blood sugar levels need to be checked several times. Usual treatments for gestational diabetes include: • A careful diet plan. It’s important not to lose wei Continue reading >>

How To Deal With Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

While all else may be going just fine, some expecting mothers start developing high blood sugar levels between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. This is known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Similar to other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar (glucose). Up to 9.2 percent of pregnant women suffer from this problem, according to a 2014 analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, it is recommended that all women get tested for gestational diabetes at the beginning of the third trimester. The exact cause of GDM is unknown, but the hormonal changes during pregnancy play a key role. During pregnancy, the body produces larger amounts of some hormones like human placental lactogen, estrogen and hormones that increase insulin resistance. These hormones affect your placenta and also interfere with the action of insulin, the hormone that regulates your blood sugar. Women over the age of 25 who suffer from high blood pressure, have a family history of diabetes and were overweight before becoming pregnant are at a higher risk of developing GDM. Also, women who have previously given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or had an unexplained miscarriage or stillbirth are at a higher risk. Some of the mild symptoms of gestational diabetes may include fatigue, blurred vision, excessive thirst and excessive need to urinate. Developing GDM during pregnancy doesn’t mean that you will have diabetes after delivery. In most cases, the blood sugar levels of pregnant women with gestational diabetes tend to return to normal within a few hour or days post delivery. However, it is recommended that women who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy get tested for diabetes every 2 to 3 years as they are at an increa Continue reading >>