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Diet For Gestational Diabetes During Third Trimester

What Is The Best Diet For Gestational Diabetes?

What Is The Best Diet For Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes can cause a range of complications during pregnancy. Fortunately, a woman can help reduce complications by following a healthful diet. What foods should women eat and what foods should they avoid if they have gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes occurs if a woman's body cannot produce enough insulin, during her pregnancy. This deficiency leads to high blood sugar. High blood sugar levels may cause problems for the woman and her baby if not managed properly. This article explains what type of diet a woman should follow during pregnancy if she has gestational diabetes. It also considers other treatment options for gestational diabetes and what complications may occur if the condition is not properly managed. Contents of this article: Understanding gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2 and 10 percent of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes each year in the United States. This type of diabetes occurs when a woman's body cannot make enough of the hormone insulin. Insulin is made by the pancreas and helps the body's cells to use sugar from the blood as energy. When a woman is pregnant, her body will produce more hormones, and she may put on weight. Both of these changes may mean that her body's cells may not use insulin as well as they used to. This is called insulin resistance. Becoming resistant to insulin means that the body needs more of it in order to use up the sugar in the blood. Sometimes a woman's body cannot produce enough insulin to keep up. This leads to a sugar buildup in the blood, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Symptoms of gestational diabetes may include: being unusually thirsty Continue reading >>

Gestational Diabetes: Foods To Eat And Avoid

Gestational Diabetes: Foods To Eat And Avoid

Gestational Diabetes: Foods To Eat And Avoid Gestational Diabetes: Foods To Eat And Avoid Gestational Diabetes: Foods To Eat And Avoid Gestational diabetes is that diabetes which only affects pregnant women. Women with this condition need to be extra careful about their diet. Here's what you should be eating and avoiding. Health DoctorNDTV Updated: May 04, 2018 03:12 pm IST 9% pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes is that diabetes which only affects pregnant women During pregnancy, your body naturally becomes resistant to insulin With gestational diabetes, you need to limit your carb intake Gestational diabetes is that diabetes which only affects pregnant women. It occurs when the body of a pregnant woman fails to produce enough insulin during her pregnancy. This can result in high blood sugar levels in the mother which can be detrimental for both, the mother and the baby. It can result in stressful and problematic situations with the pregnancy and complications in delivery. 9% pregnant women are diagnosed with this condition. But one of the reasons responsible for this is the fact that during pregnancy, your body naturally responds to insulin in a different way. During pregnancy, your body naturally becomes resistant to insulin. This happens because during pregnancy your body needs to provide more glucose to the baby. But in some women, the process goes all wrong and your body either stops responding to the insulin the way it should or does not make enough insulin required. This imbalance leads to an excess of blood sugar in your body, thereby resulting in gestational diabetes. Also read: These 7 Superfoods Can Reverse Your Diabetes Gestational diabetes, however, does not have a sure-shot treatment. But it is possible to reduce th Continue reading >>

What Might Go Wrong In The Third Trimester?

What Might Go Wrong In The Third Trimester?

Weeks 28 through 40 bring the arrival of the third trimester. This exciting time is definitely the home stretch for expectant mothers, but it also presents a time where complications can occur. Just as each trimester can bring its own challenges, so can the third trimester. Prenatal care is especially important in the third trimester because the types of complications that can arise at this time are more easily managed if detected early. You’ll likely start visiting your obstetrician every other week from 28 to 36 weeks, then once per week until your little one arrives. According to the American Diabetes Association, as many as 9.2 percent of pregnant women have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs because the hormonal changes of pregnancy make it more difficult for your body to effectively use insulin. When insulin cannot do its job of lowering blood sugar to normal levels, the result is abnormally high glucose (blood sugar) levels. Most women have no symptoms. While this condition is usually not dangerous for the mother, it poses several problems for the fetus. Specifically, macrosomia (excessive growth) of the fetus can increase the likelihood of cesarean delivery and the risk of birth injuries. When glucose levels are well-controlled, macrosomia is less likely. At the beginning of the third trimester (between weeks 24 and 28), all women should get tested for gestational diabetes. During the glucose tolerance test (also known as the screening glucose challenge test), you will consume a drink that contains a certain amount of glucose (sugar) and at a specified time later your doctor will test your blood sugar levels. For the oral glucose tolerance test, your blood sugar levels are checked after you have fasted for at least eight hours and you’ve drank Continue reading >>

Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms And Treatments

Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms And Treatments

Gestational diabetes has become one of the most common pregnancy complications in the US, with about 7 percent of pregnant women developing the condition. But just because it’s more widespread doesn’t mean it comes without risks. So what is gestational diabetes—and how can you minimize your chances of getting it? In this article What is gestational diabetes? What causes gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes symptoms Gestational diabetes treatment How to prevent gestational diabetes What Is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes means your body can’t properly regulate your blood sugar levels while you’re pregnant—either because you don’t produce enough insulin or your body can’t properly use the insulin it does produce. That causes your blood sugar levels to spike when you eat, leading to a condition called hyperglycemia. Most moms-to-be diagnosed with gestational diabetes experience diabetes only during pregnancy, and the condition clears up soon after birth. But 5 to 10 percent of women continue to have type 2 diabetes after pregnancy, and those whose diabetes clears up after childbirth are still at a 20 to 50 percent risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next 10 years. So why are doctors so concerned about this condition? “Gestational diabetes puts the mom and baby at increased risk for pregnancy complications,” says Sherry A. Ross, MD, a Santa Monica, California-based ob-gyn and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period. For moms, those include: High blood pressure Preeclampsia Preterm labor C-section Gestational diabetes effects on baby can increase the risk of: Higher birth weight Shoulder dystocia (when the shoulders get stuck in the birth canal) Congenital malformations (such as abnormal sp Continue reading >>

37 Weeks Pregnant With Gestational Diabetes

37 Weeks Pregnant With Gestational Diabetes

By week 37 of pregnancy, a woman has likely been managing her gestational diabetes for about nine weeks. Blood tests for the condition are performed at the beginning of the third trimester, around 28 weeks. Although gestational diabetes does place women in a higher pregnancy risk category, the condition can be managed with careful vigilance. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that between two and 10 percent of women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes annually. The ACOG defines gestational diabetes as excess levels of glucose in the blood. Excess glucose occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to convert glucose into energy. The condition comes and goes with pregnancy. Women who develop gestational diabetes with one pregnancy are more likely to develop it in subsequent pregnancies. The ACOG says that up to one half of them will develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Diet, exercise and, occasionally, medication are key to gestational diabetes control. Patients need to avoid refined carbohydrates, sugar and caffeine and maintain a regimen of either swimming, walking or prenatal yoga. Insulin shots are sometimes necessary. If gestational diabetes is not controlled, serious complications may occur. They include premature birth; preeclampsia, or abnormally high maternal blood pressure; respiratory distress syndrome, or difficulties with baby’s breathing at birth; birth defects; and macrosomia, or an extremely large baby. According to Midwifery Today, the baby can go into diabetic shock and die during birth in cases of improper disease management. By 37 weeks, women with gestational diabetes will be checked weekly. Because of the risks of preeclampsia and macrosomia, these women have a slightly higher chance of delivering their ba Continue reading >>

What To Eat: A Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan

What To Eat: A Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan

What to Eat: A Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan What to Eat: A Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan Here's how to create a gestational diabetes meal plan that will help you avoid dangerous blood-sugar spikes and have a healthy pregnancy. Between weird food cravings and intense aversions, following a healthy diet when you're pregnant can be challengingespecially if you've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. A condition caused by elevated blood sugar levels, gestational diabetes can affect the welfare of both mother and child, but maintaining a balanced diet is one proven way to help manage the symptoms. RELATED: 8 Things You Didn't Know About Gestational Diabetes Gina Charles, D.O., has dealt with gestational diabetes both as a patient and as a physician in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During her own recent pregnancy, she was diagnosed at 28 weeks. "Since it was not severe, I was placed on strict diet control instead of insulin," she says. "With the help of a diabetic educator and my own knowledge of managing gestational diabetes, I developed a meal plan that fit my busy lifestyle." Fortunately, a gestational diabetes meal plan isn't too different from a standard healthy diet. The American Diabetes Association recommends aiming for a ratio of 25 percent protein, 25 percent grains and starchy foods, and 50 percent non-starchy vegetables. Recommended items on a gestational diabetes food list include: Lean meats such as chicken breast and pregnancy-safe fish Low-glycemic fruits (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries) Vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini) Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds, coconut) And when it comes to forbidden foods? You probably won't be surprised to learn that fast food, fried food, candy, sodas, and processed carbs are Continue reading >>

Gestational Diabetes | Gestational Diabetes Diet | Gestational Diabetes Meal Plan | Basic Meal Planning

Gestational Diabetes | Gestational Diabetes Diet | Gestational Diabetes Meal Plan | Basic Meal Planning

1 to 2 carbohydrate choices (15 to 30 grams) protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, peanut butter) Blood glucose is hard to control in the morning when the hormones that boost your blood glucose levels are released. To help, follow these breakfast tips: Do not drink fruit juice at breakfast or any other time of the day. Fruit juice raises your blood glucose very quickly. Most vegetables do not raise blood glucose. Vegetables supply many nutrients for both you and your baby. Try to eat at least four servings of vegetables each day. Make sure you measure out your servings of vegetables that can raise your blood glucose. One-half cup of the following vegetables is equal to 15 grams of carbohydrate (one carbohydrate choice): You can have as many of these vegetables as you like. squash: crookneck, crushaw, spaghetti, summer, zucchini Source: Allina Health's Patient Education Department , Gestational Diabetes: When You Have Diabetes During Pregnancy, third edition, ISBN 1-931876-21-6 Reviewed By: Reviewed by Allina Health's Patient Education Department experts Protein can help control blood glucose. Try to eat protein with each of your meals and snacks. Eat foods that contain protein with each meal. This will help you to: One serving equals12 ounces of a beverage or one 6- to 8-ounce carton of yogurt that contains an artificial sweetener. Some types of fish and seafood can contain contaminants (mercury or PCBs) that can harm a developing baby. Learn more about food safety . Continue reading >>

What Can I Eat If I Have Gestational Diabetes? Food List And More

What Can I Eat If I Have Gestational Diabetes? Food List And More

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that only occurs in pregnant women. That means you can't get gestational diabetes unless you’re pregnant. You may develop gestational diabetes for the first time during pregnancy or you might have a mild undiagnosed case of diabetes that gets worse when you’re pregnant. During pregnancy, the way your body uses insulin changes. Insulin is a hormone that breaks the foods you eat down into glucose, or sugar. You then use that glucose for energy. You’ll naturally become more resistant to insulin when you’re pregnant to help provide your baby with more glucose. In some women, the process goes wrong and your body either stops responding to insulin or doesn't make enough insulin to give you the glucose you need. When that happens, you’ll have too much sugar in your blood. That causes gestational diabetes. If you have recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, or are curious about what will happen if you are diagnosed with it, keep reading to learn more about maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Eat protein with every meal. Include daily fruits and vegetables in your diet. Thirty percent or less of your diet should be made up of fat. Limit or avoid processed foods. Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overeating. If you have gestational diabetes, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet may help you manage your symptoms without needing medication. In general, your diet should include protein plus the right mix of carbohydrates and fats. Once you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, ask your doctor about working with a registered dietitian or nutritionist. They can help you plan your meals and come up with an eating plan that will keep you and your baby healthy. Aim to base your meals around protein. Include lots of fresh foods a Continue reading >>

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes

What Is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes sometimes develops when a woman is pregnant. It’s when the blood glucose level (blood sugar level) of the mother goes too high during pregnancy. Having an elevated blood glucose level during pregnancy can cause problems for your baby—if it’s left untreated. Fortunately, doctors are vigilant about checking for gestational diabetes so that it can be identified and effectively managed. A pro-active treatment plan helps you have a good pregnancy and protects the health of your baby. Gestational Diabetes Symptoms Gestational diabetes doesn’t often cause noticeable symptoms for the mother. Other types of diabetes (eg, type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes) do cause symptoms such as increased thirst, but that is hardly ever noticed in gestational diabetes. Because there aren’t often symptoms, it’s very important to be tested for a high blood glucose level when you’re pregnant. (Your doctor will most likely test you for gestational diabetes sometime between the 24th and 28th week. You can learn more about the diagnostic process here.) Then your doctor will know if you need to be treated for gestational diabetes. Gestational Diabetes Causes and Risk Factors Gestational diabetes develops when your body isn’t able to produce enough of the hormone insulin during pregnancy. Insulin is necessary to transport glucose—what your body uses for energy—into the cells. Without enough insulin, you can build up too much glucose in your blood, leading to a higher-than-normal blood glucose level and perhaps gestational diabetes. The elevated blood glucose level in gestational diabetes is caused by hormones released by the placenta during pregnancy. The placenta produces a hormone called the human placental lactogen (HPL), also Continue reading >>

Losing Weight In 3rd Trimester?

Losing Weight In 3rd Trimester?

I have been on the GD diet for two weeks now and I lost 1.5 lbs the first week and another 3 lbs this week. I am 36 weeks pregnant. I started out overweight (150 lbs at 5 ft) and have only gained 8 lbs this pregnancy. My md seems happy about the weight loss but I can't help be a little concerned. Baby is supposed to be gained .5 lb/week at this point and I am worried this is being jeopardized. Fundal height only put me at 31 weeks at appointment today. Am I over reacting? Your weight gain or loss does not have anything to do with the baby's weight gain, so put that out of your mind! These babies take what they need from us and leave us with whatever is left over. So, with the inherent calorie restrictions on the GD diet, that kiddo is taking what he/she needs to grow healthy and strong, and that might not leave you with much of a surplus, hence the weight loss. Many people lose weight on the GD diet and I've yet to hear a provider say it's a bad thing. You're a smaller than average woman, so it makes sense to have a smaller than average baby. Do you get to have a growth u/s any time soon? That should be able to put your mind at ease. I have not gained a single pound through my entire pregnancy, currently 36 weeks. I had a growth ultrasound earlier this week and my baby is measuring big. I wouldn't be too concerned about the weight loss. Thanks ladies that makes me feel a little better. I did have a few growth ultrasounds this pregnancy although since the last one was only a week after diet and I don't have any more us scheduled it's hard to see actual impact. He was measuring 40 percentile. I think I am just sensitive to baby's weight because my daughter is super tiny and at 2.5 is on the .01 percentile for weight I'm overweight and was diagnosed early and lost 30lbs d Continue reading >>

Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed In Third Trimester Pregnancy And Pregnancy Outcome.

Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed In Third Trimester Pregnancy And Pregnancy Outcome.

Abstract BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of gestational diabetes diagnosed in the third trimester is unclear. A prospective observational study was performed on a cohort of women without pre-existing gestational diabetes or other medical disorders to examine the effect of gestational diabetes on pregnancy complications and infant outcome. METHODS: Four hundred and eighty-nine consecutive women were assessed at 28-30 weeks by random glucose screening and/or a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. The subsequent management was according to established departmental protocols. The outcome of pregnancy was compared among the groups with negative screening, positive screening but normal glucose tolerance, and gestational diabetes which was controlled with diet therapy. RESULTS: Women with gestational diabetes (n=67 or 13.7%) had significantly increased maternal age, pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index, hemoglobin levels at booking and at 36-38 weeks, and incidences of parity >1, pre-eclampsia, and female infants, while the gestational age was shorter and there was no significant difference in the birthweight outcome or neonatal morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Despite diet treatment, gestational diabetes diagnosed in the last trimester is associated with increased risk of pre-eclampsia and shorter length of gestation, and this is likely to reflect a pathological process rather than the physiological effect of pregnancy on maternal glucose tolerance. Continue reading >>

Diet For Gestational Diabetes

Diet For Gestational Diabetes

I have gestational diabetes. Do I have to watch what I eat? Yes. Eating well helps all women stay healthy during pregnancy. But if you have gestational diabetes, choosing the right food to eat is even more important. That's because many women with gestational diabetes can manage their condition by following a healthy eating plan, monitoring their blood sugar, and exercising regularly. Keeping your blood sugar stable by eating healthy food and exercising makes it less likely that you'll need medication to control your condition. You and your baby are also less likely to have any complications from your condition. Watching what you eat also helps you gain a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy. If you were overweight before becoming pregnant, your healthcare provider may recommend limiting calories so you don't gain too much as your baby grows. Do I need to monitor carbohydrates? Yes. The amount and type of carbohydrates (natural starches and sugars) in food affects your blood sugar levels. And with gestational diabetes, you'll need to track your carbohydrate intake in particular. Setting a limit on the amount of carbohydrates you eat at each meal is the first step to managing your blood sugar. Your provider is likely to recommend reducing the total amount of carbohydrates to about 40 percent of your daily calories. Try to eat carbohydrates that are high in fiber. Fibrous foods are harder to digest. Whole grains are high in fiber, so choosing brown rice and whole grain bread instead of refined versions (white bread and rice) means that they take longer to digest and release sugar more slowly into your bloodstream. Vegetables, beans, lentils, and chickpeas are also high in fiber and release sugar into your blood slowly. Avoid food and drinks that are high in added sug Continue reading >>

How To Eat Paleo During Pregnancy: A Guide To Every Trimester

How To Eat Paleo During Pregnancy: A Guide To Every Trimester

How to eat Paleo during Pregnancy: A guide to every trimester Wow! Almost there...if you're like like most women you're starting to nest and get ready to meet this new little person who's been growing inside you for months. Your baby is growing and displacing your organs including your stomach. This means that you're likely not able to eat very much in one sitting. There are a lot of hormonal changes going on and you're body's insulin response is rapidly changing...curious? Well then, let's jump right into this next post and chat about what to eat in the third trimester. As I mentioned before, your tummy is being displaced by your growing baby and eating large meals just isn't an option anymore. If you haven't done so already, it's time to shift your focus from food quantity to food quality. I know that the idea of grazing or eating multiple mini meals is contrary to what many in the paleo world endorse, however, pregnancy is different. Intermittent fasting with infrequent large meals has no place in a healthy pregnancy. You should aim for 4-6 small meals spread through the day and night. Here's an interactive video that shows you where all your organs go! Sounds gross but it's really cool (or at least I think so). Many women also find that they are waking up A LOT through the night. Perhaps you have to pee every few hours or you just wake up rather randomly your body is preparing you to be up feeding a baby every 3-4 hrs and is just trying to ease you into this rhythm. Many women find themselves hungry when they wake up...please eat! Subtle drops in blood sugar can actually wake you up out of a deep sleep. Include some carbohydrate in your snack to help boost serotonin levels and help you get back to sleep. Sweet potato, warm apple with cinnamon, mashed pumpkin, chia Continue reading >>

Can Low Carb Help With Gestational Diabetes In Pregnancy?

Can Low Carb Help With Gestational Diabetes In Pregnancy?

When Natalie Thompson Cooper was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in her first pregnancy, at age 28, she was very concerned. The condition, which affects at least one in seven pregnancies to as many as one in five, causes blood sugars to rise abnormally high, called hyperglycemia. 1 Natalie knew hyperglycemia bathed her unborn daughter in glucose, putting the fetus at risk for a wide range of potential complications, including miscarriage, birth defects, macrosomia (very large size), high blood pressure, birth trauma, and higher rates of C-section and even stillbirth. 2 Moreover, gestational diabetes (GD) — also called ‘carbohydrate intolerance of pregnancy’ — greatly increases the risk that the mother and her offspring will both face future health problems, such as much higher rates of eventual type 2 diabetes, metabolic conditions, and cardiovascular disease. 3 GD is one of the most common and significant complications of pregnancy. Prenatal guidelines the world over recommend the routine screening of all pregnant women and then, if positive, strict management, starting with dietary therapy, then if that does not work, insulin injections. 4 However, to this day, what constitutes the best “dietary therapy” is hotly debated, with some researchers proposing a diet high in complex carbohydrates (60% carbs) and others lower carbohydrates (40% carbs). 5 However, the recommended “lower carb” GD diet is still far higher than the under 20 g per day of the strict low-carb high-fat or ketogenic diet. In fact, many guidelines for GD recommend women, on an ostensibly “lower-carb” diet, eat a minimum 175 g of carbohydrate daily, a level at which many women see their blood sugar rise out of control. “Honestly, 175 g of carbohydrate is stupid! Women should be Continue reading >>

Sample Diet For Gestational Diabetes

Sample Diet For Gestational Diabetes

If you have gestational diabetes, you may need to change how you eat. The following sample diet is designed to serve as a framework for your daily meal plans. Gestational diabetes can be completely and effectively controlled with diet alone. Most oral hypoglycemic medications are not recommended during this delicate time, so it is important to discuss your diet plans with a nutritionist or your healthcare provider. Using Diet to Control Blood Glucose Levels During pregnancy, it is critical to maintain healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day and evening. According to MedlinePlus , doctors typically conduct screening for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Your fasting glucose needs to be less than 95 milligrams/deciliter, and a two-hour postprandial (after meal) reading needs to be less than 155 milligrams/deciliter. If your doctor tells you that your blood glucose level is too high, you may need to make healthy eating habits and smart food choices even more of a priority during your pregnancy. While caloric requirements are highly individualized, the average women with an appropriate weight prior to conception needs an additional 100 to 300 calories during the second and third trimester. For any pregnant woman, these calories need to contain quality nutrition loaded with essential vitamins and minerals to support a healthy pregnancy and outcome. If you have gestational diabetes, you'll need to eat to keep your blood sugar at the level your doctor recommends. Keep these additional tips in mind as you follow your doctor's recommended diet for controlling your gestational diabetes: If you have gestational diabetes, you should also include plenty of fluid as part of your diet. While fruit and vegetable juices are acceptable, it is best n Continue reading >>

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