5 Tips for management of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes develop due to disturbed placental hormones against body's insulin during pregnancy, which affects blood glucose level and causes some serious complications such as;

• Baby macrosomia (giant baby).
• Neonatal diabetes (Type 1).
• Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD).
• Maternal Diabetes (Type 2).

Risk factors of gestational diabetes include; obesity, positive family history, positive past history (having gestational diabetes in previous pregnancy), old mother, diabetes, hypertension, increased cholesterol or triglyceride levels… etc.

So to avoid gestational diabetes or to avoid the above complications if you already have gestational diabetes, you should do the following:

1. Regular check of blood glucose level; this include check fasting blood glucose in the morning after wake up, then check post-prandial blood glucose two hours after breakfast.
2. Limit your daily intake of carbohydrates (rice and bread) as well as simple sugars.
3. Regular daily physical exercise (walking, yoga) as it helps in stabilization of blood glucose levels within normal values.
4. Take your medication in the scheduled time and never change the drug regimen before you consult your doctor.
5. Regular check-up and follow-up.