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Gestational Diabetes

Nearly 10% of all pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes. It is high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, if not managed can cause serious complications. There isn’t a single cause to gestational diabetes, the body goes through numerous changes during pregnancy including insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Risk factors include: 

  • Overweight before pregnancy
  • Prediabetes
  • Past gestational diabetes
  • High blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease

Treatment  

  • Initial treatment involves behavioral management such as:
  • Healthy Eating
  • Regular physical activity
  • Monitor blood sugar levels
  • Talking to your doctor

Suggested blood sugar levels during pregnancy 

  • Before a meal: 95 mg/dl or less
  • One hour after a meal: 140 mg/dl or less
  • Two hours after a meal: 120 mg/dl or less

Recommended screenings for gestational diabetes pregnancies  

  • Clinical guidelines recommend a screening 4 to 12 weeks after a gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnancy. Low-income and racial/ethnic minority populations are less likely to receive the screening postpartum. After the initial postpartum screening, regular rescreening should be conducted. Being aware of screening recommendations can prevent or delay progression of type 2 diabetes
  • For more information relating to gestational diabetes visit, Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy.