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Treatments For Gestational Diabetes |
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The main objective of the treatment of
gestational diabetes is to get the pregnant woman’s glucose levels
within normal limits. In a good treatment plan, typically exercise or
some other form of physical activity, as well as specific dietary
instructions are included. Other form of treatment includes daily
testing of blood glucose levels, or insulin injections.
Because gestational diabetes can attack both you and your baby,
you need to start the treatment quickly. Treatment of gestational
diabetes can help you lower the risk of having to have a cesarean
section birth for you as the mother-to-be. The different treatments for
gestational diabetes are as follow:
Meal Plan:
A
dietitian or a diabetes educator can design a meal plan to help you
choose foods that are healthy for you and your baby.
The plan will
provide guidelines on which foods to eat, how much to eat, and when to
eat. Choices, amounts, and timing are all important for keeping your
blood glucose levels in your target range. You will be generally told to:
1) Limit sweets.
2) Divide your meal in to small meals.
3) Be careful about when and how much carbohydrate-rich food you eat.
4) To include fiber in your meals in the form of fruits, vegetables, and
whole-grain crackers, cereals, and bread.
Physical Activity:
Walking and swimming can help you reach
your blood glucose targets. Talk with a health care specialist about the
type of activity that is best for you. You can exercise according to
your needs.
Insulin
Insulin
is the last resort. Severe gestational diabetics need insulin, in
addition to a meal plan and physical activity, to reach their blood
glucose targets. If necessary, you will be shown how to give yourself
insulin. Insulin is not harmful for your baby. It can not move from your
bloodstream to that of baby's.
Rigorously
following your treatment process will give you a healthy pregnancy and
child. To help your baby avoid future poor health and to reduce his/her
tendency to develop type 2 diabetes in the years to come, you should
follow the treatment process demarcated for you.
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