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Did you know that a certain type of diabetes could occur only during pregnancy? It is called Gestational Diabetes. According to Dr. Michael Dansinger, gestational diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy. In the Philippines, it affects 14% of pregnant women in 2014.

There are two classes of gestational diabetes. Women with class A1 can manage it through diet and exercise. Those who have class A2 need to take insulin or other medications.

According to Dr. Michael Dansinger, women with gestational diabetes usually don’t have symptoms. Most find out that they have it during a routine screening. Common observations include being thirsty, hungrier and wants to eat; and urination more than usual.

According to the Philippines UNITE for Diabetes Clinical Practice, the Normal blood is sugar is defined as: (1) An FBS < 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), or (2) Random/casual blood glucose < 140 mg/dl (7.7mmol/L), or (3) 2-hr blood sugar in the 75gm OGTT < 140 mg/dl (7.7mmol/L) [Level 2, Grade B]

The risk of having a Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is higher among women who are overweight before being pregnant, having a family member with diabetes, having a high blood sugar level, have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or another health condition linked to problems with insulin, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, or other medical complications, have given birth to a large baby (weighing more than 9 pounds), have had a miscarriage, have given birth to a baby who was stillborn or had certain birth defects or if older than 25, respectively.

These are the simple steps to prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

  • Eat healthy foods.The Pinggang Pinoy, healthy food plate for pregnant and lactating women, can be used as basis on the right food group proportions per meal basis to meet energy nutrient needs. Eating a variety of foods that are rich in carbohydrates (energy-giving foods), proteins (body-building foods), vitamins and minerals (body-regulating foods), milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs (well-cooked), grains, nuts and beans. A pregnant woman must daily consume: 5- 6 servings per day of carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice, rice products, corn, root crops, bread, noodles; 4-5 servings per day of protein rich foods such as fish, shellfish, meat and poultry, dried beans and nuts, and eggs; 3-4 servings per day of vegetables and 2 servings per day of 1 medium sliced fruit or 1 slice of a big fruit; and 1 serving of milk and milk products a day. It is also important that they should consume 8-10 glasses of water every day and avoid taking tea, coffee and sugar-sweetened beverages. Also, a reminder that an iodized salt must be used in cooking/consumption to prevent iodine deficiency.
  • Keep active.Exercising before and during pregnancy can safeguard from developing gestational diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week; take a brisk daily walk; ride your bike and swim laps.
  • Don’t gain more weight than recommended.Moreover, a pregnant woman should also monitor their weight during the span of pregnancy since it may determine pregnancy outcomes. A woman with normal pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) must gain 11-16 kilograms after becoming pregnant. Underweight women should gain 13-18 kilograms and overweight women may need to gain only 7-11 kilograms. For the first 3 months, 2-4 pounds must be gained and 1 pound per week during the rest of pregnancy. If the pregnant woman is expecting for twins, an average of 1.5 pounds must be gained per week.

Gestational diabetes goes away after giving birth. But it can affect the baby’s health, and it raises the risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in life. Start a healthy lifestyle to protect your family. (PNFP Madayag/ NO III Flores/ RNPC Laquihon)

References:

https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S2214999615012643?token=ACEF5D72A88A3152C95F3CFAD9E56F3B2727CE9BEBC5D344D6B7710010B86353A61B3BA5D5F5437BA6268ED51F41C562&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20220408015338

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339