Women’s Top Diabetes Concerns
Managing type 2 diabetes means being good to yourself. “Diabetes requires self-care to do it well,” says Robin Goland, MD, diabetes research director at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “While many women are comfortable at taking care of others, it can be hard for them to take care of themselves.” Your first line of defense is a healthy diet and exercise plan, so talk to your doctor about creating one that will likely include: Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. Anything that gets your heart rate up and causes you to sweat a little is beneficial, even if it’s gardening, walking, or cleaning your house. Eating foods that will keep your blood sugar levels in check. That means choosing high-fiber foods, swapping out white starchy foods for whole grains, putting lots of vegetables on your plate, and steering clear of sweetened beverages, including fruit juice. Ask your doctor who else can help you, like a nutritionist or a diabetes specialist. Having diabetes makes heart disease more likely. That's all the more reason to follow your doctor's guidelines about diet and exercise. Also, track your blood pressure, says OB/GYN and diabetes educator Cassandra Henderson, MD, of New York’s Lincoln Hospital and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Keeping your cholesterol levels in check will also help protect your heart. Continue reading >>
Type 1 Or Type 2 Diabetes And Pregnancy
Problems of Diabetes in Pregnancy Blood sugar that is not well controlled in a pregnant woman with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes could lead to problems for the woman and the baby: Birth Defects The organs of the baby form during the first two months of pregnancy, often before a woman knows that she is pregnant. Blood sugar that is not in control can affect those organs while they are being formed and cause serious birth defects in the developing baby, such as those of the brain, spine, and heart. Download Chart[PDF – 167KB] An Extra Large Baby Diabetes that is not well controlled causes the baby’s blood sugar to be high. The baby is “overfed” and grows extra large. Besides causing discomfort to the woman during the last few months of pregnancy, an extra large baby can lead to problems during delivery for both the mother and the baby. The mother might need a C-Section to deliver the baby. The baby can be born with nerve damage due to pressure on the shoulder during delivery. C- Section (Cesarean Section) A C-section is a surgery to deliver the baby through the mother’s belly. A woman who has diabetes that is not well controlled has a higher chance of needing a C-section to deliver the baby. When the baby is delivered by a C-section, it takes longer for the woman to recover from childbirth. High Blood Pressure (Preeclampsia) When a pregnant woman has high blood pressure, protein in her urine, and often swelling in fingers and toes that doesn’t go away, she might have preeclampsia. It is a serious problem that needs to be watched closely and managed by her doctor. High blood pressure can cause harm to both the woman and her unborn baby. It might lead to the baby being born early and also could cause seizures or a stroke (a blood clot or a bleed in the brain that ca Continue reading >>
Pregnancy Diet Tips For Women With Type 1 Or Type 2 Diabetes
Starches, like bread , cooked or dry cereal , rice, pasta, popcorn, or pretzels. (Choose whole grains over processed ones.) Just like before pregnancy , youll need to count your carbs to make sure you keep your blood sugar under control. How many you need depends on things like your height, weight, how active you are, and your current blood sugar control. Your dietitian will tell you the right number of carbs to shoot for. She can also tell you how many calories to eat. It might range from about 1,700 to 2,700 a day. You will probably need more calories as your pregnancy goes on. Also, make sure youre getting the nutrients that every woman needs for a healthy pregnancy, including: Folic acid . It protects against problems with a babys spine and brain . Pregnant women need 400-800 micrograms of folic acid every day. You can get it from supplements or foods like spinach, nuts, and beans, as well as fortified foods like breads and cereal. Ask your doctor if there are other vitamins you should take. Calcium , from foods like dairy products and broccoli Vitamin D , in foods like salmon and fortified milk Iron, from sources like lean red meat or beans One easy mealtime rule to control your blood sugar: fill a quarter of your plate with meat or other protein foods, another quarter with whole grains or starchy vegetables (potatoes, peas, corn ), and the rest with non-starchy vegetables, like greens , tomatoes , or squash. Add a serving of milk, fruit, or yogurt to your meal or have it as a snack . Continue reading >>
- Improved pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes but substantial clinic-to-clinic variations: a prospective nationwide study
- Termination of pregnancy and sterilisation in women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes
- Diet, Lifestyle, and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Women
Pre-existing Diabetes And Pregnancy
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are planning a family, you should plan your pregnancy as much as possible. Controlling your blood sugars before conception and throughout pregnancy gives you the best chance of having a trouble-free pregnancy and birth and a healthy baby. If you have diabetes and your pregnancy is unplanned, there’s still plenty you can do to give your baby the best start in life. The information on this page is for women who have diabetes before becoming pregnant. If you develop diabetes during pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes. Planned pregnancy Visit your doctor or diabetes educator at least 6 months before you start trying to fall pregnant, if you can. You will be given advice and guidance on controlling your blood sugars as tightly as possible, and taking necessary supplements like folate. You may also be advised to change medications. If you are healthy and your diabetes is well controlled when you become pregnant, you have a good a chance of having a normal pregnancy and birth. Diabetes that is not well controlled during pregnancy can affect your health long-term and can also be risky for your baby. Unplanned pregnancy Not everybody can plan their pregnancy. If you have diabetes and think you might be pregnant, see your doctor as soon as you can. Your healthcare team You may be cared for by a team of health professionals including: an obstetrician who can handle high risk pregnancies a specialist experienced in diabetes care during pregnancy, who may be an endocrinologist or who may be a general physician a diabetes educator to help you manage your diabetes a dietician who can provide dietary advice at all the different stages - before conception, while pregnant and after the birth a midwife who is experienced in all aspects Continue reading >>
Poor Pregnancy Outcome In Women With Type 2 Diabetes
Abstract OBJECTIVE— To evaluate the perinatal outcome and the frequency of maternal complications in pregnancies of women with type 2 diabetes during 1996–2001. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Medical records of 61 consecutive singleton pregnancies in women with type 2 diabetes from 1996 to 2001 were studied. Pregnancy outcome was compared with that of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes during 1996–2000, the background population, and pregnant women with type 2 diabetes during 1980–1992 from the same department. RESULTS— The perinatal mortality in pregnancies complicated by type 2 diabetes (4/61, 6.6%) was increased four- and ninefold, respectively, and the rate of major congenital malformations (4/60, 6.7%) was more than doubled, although not statistically significant, compared with type 1 diabetic pregnancies and the background population. The glycemic control was similar or better in women with type 2 diabetes compared with women with type 1 diabetes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis in the pooled group of pregnancies with pregestational diabetes from 1996 to 2001 showed that high HbA1c at admission and type 2 diabetes were independently associated with a serious adverse fetal outcome (perinatal mortality and/or major congenital malformations). The perinatal mortality and the rate of major congenital malformations in type 2 diabetic pregnancies have increased during the last decade. CONCLUSIONS— The perinatal outcome of pregnancies in women with type 2 diabetes during 1996–2001 is poor. It is worse than the outcome of pregnancies in women with type 1 diabetes and the background population in the same period, as well as in women with type 2 diabetes studied during 1982–1990. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly in all age-gr Continue reading >>
- Improved pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes but substantial clinic-to-clinic variations: a prospective nationwide study
- Type 2 diabetes: What happens if symptoms go undetected? How to avoid dangerous outcome | Health | Life & Style | Express.co.uk
- Termination of pregnancy and sterilisation in women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes
Diet For Pregnant Woman With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
A well-planned, nutritious diet is recommended for all pregnant women, and is of particular importance to women with a medical condition such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Although gestational diabetes, usually diagnosed in the second trimester, is the most common form of diabetes in pregnant women, those with pre-existing diabetes are challenged with the need to tightly manage blood sugars during their entire pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects and miscarriage. Diet plays an important role in blood sugar management, so women with T2DM would benefit from starting a healthy diet prior to conception. Choose nutritious foods, eat regularly and manage portions to help keep blood sugar levels in an optimal range and provide good nutrition for mom and baby. Video of the Day The best time to start making dietary changes is before becoming pregnant. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a healthy pregnancy diet includes a variety of foods, including fruit; vegetables; whole grains such as whole wheat bread, brown rice and whole grain pasta; calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt and fortified soy milk; and high protein foods such as chicken, lean meat, nuts and beans. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, in its 2009 position statement on vegetarian diets, says well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate to meet pregnancy nutrition needs. Pregnant women may also be advised to take supplements, such as a folic acid supplement to prevent neural tube defects. Carbohydrates in starches and sugars provide an important source of energy for pregnant women. High carbohydrate food choices include beans, grains, breads, cereals and starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and corn, as well as fruit, milk, yogurt, desserts and candy. Because the b Continue reading >>
Top 10 Foods For Diabetes And Pregnancy
Guest post by Regina M. Shirley RD, LDN of Serving Up Diabetes There are a lot of food lists out there: Top 10 Superfoods for Health, Top 10 Foods to fight Cancer, and many more. As someone with diabetes, there are also a lot of lists we can abide by: the low glycemic index list of foods, foods under 100 calories, low-carb foods, etc. Go ask any dietitian, and we will tell you to eat a balanced diet that contains a food item from each food group at most every meal, with healthy snacks in between. This is a general guideline, and most Americans don’t have enough hours in the day to incorporate all the right food groups into their daily eating plan. I used to be one of those, call me a bit of a hypocrite, but as much as I tell people that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I was just a coffee girl in the morning, maybe with an English muffin thrown in there or a healthy nut bar. While planning for my pregnancy, I decided I needed to revamp my diet a bit to make sure that I would give my baby the best chance at developing strong organs in the first trimester. I did a lot of reading, and implemented what I already knew as well, and created my own “Top 10” list for baby and me. Here is a list of foods that I have incorporated in my diet that pack the most vitamins and nutrients (folic acid, iron and calcium are of most importance), and are even low on the glycemic index list (helpful for the blood sugars) so are also idea for people with diabetes in general. Eggs – 1-2 eggs per day in the form of hard boiled, scrambled, or in an egg and cheese whole-grain sandwich that I made myself. I buy the cage-free farm fresh eggs from my local farm. Many people think that whole eggs are bad for you because of the cholesterol in the yolk, and that egg whites are al Continue reading >>
What Type Of Pregnancy Diet Should I Follow If I Have Gestational Diabetes?
Good nutrition is especially important during pregnancy if you've developed gestational diabetes. Diabetes develops when your body can't efficiently produce or use insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that allows cells to turn sugar in your blood (glucose) into usable fuel. When large amounts of glucose accumulate in your blood, it means that your cells aren't getting the fuel they need. High blood sugar can be harmful for you and your developing baby, so it's important to try to control it. One way to keep your blood sugar levels under control is to follow a specific meal plan. I strongly recommend seeing a registered dietitian who can create a diet particularly suited to you, based on your weight, height, physical activity, and the needs of your growing baby, as well as your level of glucose intolerance. She'll also take into account your personal food preferences. (Note: If dietary changes aren't sufficient to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range, you'll need to take insulin as well. If your practitioner prescribes insulin injections, you'll need to meet again with your dietitian to reassess your diet.) A dietitian starts by determining how many calories you need each day. Then she teaches you how to determine portion sizes and how to balance your meals with just the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. She also assesses your current eating habits to make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals. Here are some general dietary guidelines: Eat a variety of foods, distributing calories and carbohydrates evenly throughout the day. Make sure both your meals and your snacks are balanced. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you eat three small-to-moderate-size meals and two to four snacks every day, including an after-dinner snack. Continue reading >>
After Diabetes During Pregnancy, Healthy Diet Linked To Reduced Type 2 Diabetes Risk
NIH-supported study first to show reduced risk solely through dietary modification. By sticking to a healthy diet in the years after pregnancy, women who develop diabetes during pregnancy can greatly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a study supported by the National Institutes of Health has found. Previously, it was not known how much the risk for type 2 diabetes in these women could be lowered through adhering to healthy diet. In about 5 percent of U.S. pregnancies, women who do nothave diabetes before becoming pregnant develop high blood sugar levels in pregnancy. This condition, called gestational diabetes, raises a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life up to sevenfold, compared to pregnant women who don't have gestational diabetes. Little is known about the role healthy lifestyle factors may have in preventing progression from gestational diabetes to type 2 diabetes later in life. The study found the greatest reductions in type 2 diabetes risk were for women who followed diets rich in whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and included poultry, seafood, and nuts, with limiting intake of red and processed meats. Those who followed this type of diet in the years after having gestational diabetes consistently reduced their risk by about half that of women who did not. "Our findings indicate that women with gestational diabetes aren't necessarily preordained to develop type 2 diabetes," said senior author Cuilin Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., of the Epidemiology Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the NIH institute where much of the analysis was conducted. "It appears they may have some degree of control. Sticking to a healthy diet may greatly reduce their chances fo Continue reading >>
Have A Safe Pregnancy With Type 2 Diabetes
It used to be that women with type 2 diabetes were discouraged from becoming pregnant. These days, with careful pregnancy planning and monitoring of blood glucose levels, you can have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. Diabetes and Pregnancy: Your Prenatal Care Team If you have type 2 diabetes and you want to become pregnant, the first step would ideally be to speak with both your endocrinologist and your obstetrician. They can help you be at your healthiest to conceive. Both before you become pregnant and during your pregnancy (and beyond), it will be important for you to keep your blood sugar levels under control and to follow all the other guidelines to minimize all health risks to you and your baby. Fortunately, different diabetes practitioners can work with you on all the aspects of pregnancy, including exercise and nutrition. Your medical team might include: Your obstetrician. The ob-gyn you choose should care for patients with type 2 diabetes or have experience with high-risk pregnancies. Your dietitian. This professional can outline a pre-pregnancy and pregnancy diet that will keep blood glucose under control. Your diabetes educator. This specialist can help you learn about your body’s changing needs throughout your pregnancy. Your future pediatrician. Your baby’s doctor should have experience treating infants of mothers with diabetes. Diabetes and Pregnancy: Control Blood Glucose First While every woman is urged to get her body into baby-ready shape before conceiving, this is especially important if you have diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, your blood glucose levels should be in the suggested range for three to six months before you try to conceive and, of course, during your entire pregnancy. This may involve more doctor visits, Continue reading >>
Diet Planning For Diabetes In Pregnancy
Meal planning is important when you are pregnant with diabetes , whether with gestational diabetes or pre-existing type 2 diabetes . Women with diabetes are often asked to obtain tighter control of blood sugar levels in pregnancy . There are extra diet challenges and considerations when you have diabetes in pregnancy. Pre-Planning for Your Diet During Pregnancy with Diabetes Ideally, you should have your blood sugar levels within good control three to six months prior to pregnancy . Good planning means following a diet and exercise plan, getting your blood sugar levels in good control, and receiving management and diet education from your doctor, dietitian and/or diabetes educator. Have your doctor assess your medication regimen and make changes for pregnancy as needed. Some of your medications may not be safe for pregnancy If you are already pregnant, work with your healthcare team as soon as possible to learn how to meet your dietary needs and get control of your blood glucose levels. Even changes during pregnancy help to greatly lower risk. Remember your situation is unique and will require a tailored plan that may take some trial-and-error and tweaking throughout pregnancy.Maintaining good control will help to lower risks for birth defects and provide an empowered and prepared start to a pregnancy with diabetes. 4 Challenges for Diabetes During Pregnancy A bigger appetite and need for extra nutrients. You may need more protein, iron, calcium, folic acid and vitamins. You will be hungrier but also need to ensure you are eating the right kinds of food and getting the micronutrients to sustain both you and your growing baby. Morning sickness. If you are being treated with insulin, it is important to eat all your meals and snacks to help avoid hypoglycemia. This can be Continue reading >>
I've Just Been Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes – What Can I Eat?
From the moment you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes you are likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks: more clinic appointments, more blood tests, taking medications, being more active and eating a healthy, balanced diet. No wonder it can all seem so daunting and overwhelming. One of your first questions is likely to be, “what can I eat?” But, with so much to take in, you could still come away from appointments feeling unsure about the answer. And then, there are lots of myths about diabetes and food that you will need to navigate, too. If you’ve just been diagnosed and aren’t sure about what you can and can’t eat, here’s what you need to know. This may come as a surprise, but you don’t have to go on a special diet when have gestational diabetes. Depending on your current diet, you may have to eat less of some foods and more of others. In the past, people were sent away after their diagnosis with a list of foods they weren't allowed to eat, or often told to simply cut out sugar. Nowadays, you may need to make some changes to your diet, but it’s not a case of cutting things out. Rather, you’ll need to follow the same healthy, balanced diet that’s recommended to everyone. The main aim for managing gestational diabetes is ensuring that your blood glucose levels are under control, so your healthcare team will discuss targets that are right for you. Achieving the targets will increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and your food choices play a vital role in this. It is important to enjoy your meals while making changes to your food choices that are realistic and achievable. This will help control your blood glucose levels, and help prevent excessive weight gain during your pregnancy. All carbohydrates will ha Continue reading >>
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Real Food For Gestational Diabetes: What You Need To Know
Note From Mommypotamus: When I wrote about natural alternatives to the glucola test, many of you asked what to do if gestational diabetes is diagnosed and confirmed. Today I am so excited to welcome Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE, CLT, a registered nutritionist and gestational diabetes educator, who will be filling us in on how to take a real food approach to GD. Lily is the author of Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, a thoroughly researched guide filled with practical guidance and easy-to-follow instructions. It is, hands down, the best resource on the subject that I have found so far. If you or someone you know is looking for information on managing GD with real food, I highly recommend it! Gestational diabetes is never part of any mom’s plan . . . But it is the most common complication of pregnancy, affecting up to 18% of pregnant women. Yet there are many misconceptions about this diagnosis, both in conventional health care and the integrative medicine world. As a registered dietician/nutritionist and certified diabetes educator who specializes in gestational diabetes, I’m going to clear up some of the confusion for you today. Whether or not you have gestational diabetes, this post will help you understand how it develops and why it’s important to maintain normal blood sugar (for all pregnant women, really). I’ll also be sharing why the typical gestational diabetes diet fails and why a real food, nutrient-dense, lower carbohydrate approach is ideal for managing gestational diabetes. What is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes is usually defined as diabetes that develops or is first diagnosed during pregnancy. However, it can also be defined as “insulin resistance” or “carbohydrate intolerance” during pregnancy. I prefer to rely on the latter descrip Continue reading >>
Diet And Exercise With Type 1/2 Diabetes
While keeping your blood glucose levels within safe limits is a hugely important part of managing your diabetes, the guidance to staying healthy in pregnancy is similar to that for staying healthy at any other time of life with diabetes. Your diet in pregnancy with type 1 or 2 diabetes When you are pregnant you may find that you need to make changes to your diet to help curb spikes and dips in your blood glucose levels. Try to aim for a varied diet that includes a combination of: carbohydrates such as breads, rice, pasta, grains and potatoes. Choose wholegrain varieties where possible fruit and vegetables pulses, such as baked beans, butter beans or lentils dairy products such as milk, hard cheese and yogurt lean meats and fish. The amount of carbohydrates you eat has the biggest impact on your blood glucose levels after eating. Ask to be referred to a dietitian if you have not seen one already. Pregnancy is not a time to be on a calorie controlled diet so speaking to a dietitian will help you to make small changes to your diet that are safe for you and your baby. 'I did have cravings while I was pregnant – I did really want some chocolate and so I would buy myself just really dark chocolate so I could have just something.' Maria, mum of one No need to 'eat for two' It is all too easy to over-eat during pregnancy, but the phrase ‘eating for two’ is a myth. In fact, your baby will grow well for the first two trimesters of pregnancy without you eating any extra calories at all. During the last trimester of your pregnancy you may need up to 200 extra calories per day – the equivalent of a small snack. Find general guidance on safe exercising in pregnancy here. Supplements You must take 5mg of folic acid, which you should receive on prescription, from when you start Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes definitely requires additional attention during pregnancy, but the right attention, care, and support can keep Mom and baby healthy throughout. Read on to learn more about gestational diabetes. For more information on recommended diet, exercise, or gestational diabetes in general, see the Other Resources section below. Starting Point: Gestational Diabetes Basics What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes affects some pregnant women. The term itself can actually be a little misleading, according to Dr. Lois Jovanovič, because it implies that the diabetes symptoms are only confined to pregnancy. However, it is possible to uncover a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes after pregnancy if the mother’s blood sugar levels remain elevated. A more accurate descriptor, she says, would be “hyperglycemia during pregnancy.” (Hyperglycemia refers to elevated blood glucose levels; for the purposes of this resource, we use the more commonly recognized “gestational diabetes.”) Each year, up to 14% of pregnant women in the US develop this condition. It can occur in pregnant women who have never had diabetes before and in whom elevated blood glucose is first detected during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is different from being diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy. It often develops in the later stages of pregnancy, usually disappearing after giving birth. During pregnancy, insulin (the hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy) may be hindered from performing its typical role due to interference from hormones produced by the fetus or other chemical changes within the body; usually additional insulin will be produced to compensate. In a woman with gestational diabetes, insulin is unable to keep blood glucose concent Continue reading >>
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