Gestational Diabetes - Treatment

Some doctors recommend the adoption of a healthy diet to meet nutritional needs of pregnant women. In addition, there must be some lifestyle changes that keep blood sugar levels to within acceptable limits. Most anti-diabetic drugs (biguanides, etc.) are contraindicated during pregnancy. Insulin treatment is reserved only for cases in which lifestyle modification is not sufficient for adequate control of blood glucose.
Controlling gestational diabetes
- Glucose monitoring 4 times daily (before breakfast and 2 hours after meals).- Monitoring the level of ketones in the urine- Compliance with food recommendations - for example, equal distribution of calories throughout the day- Physical activity - after the doctor- Controlling Weight- The administration of insulin, if necessary. Insulin is currently the only treatment used during pregnancy.- Controlling hypertension
Glucose monitoring
Measuring blood sugar several times a day is useful for determining which-efficient lifestyle changes (diet and sports) has in controlling blood sugar, or if pregnant require administration of insulin to protect the fetus. Your doctor will recommend keeping a daily food diary and measurement of blood glucose at home. This will be able to assess the extent to which blood sugar is controlled effectively and will issue about the necessity of changes in treatment regimen.The goal is to maintain blood glucose monitoring closer to normal.
The time of the test target blood glucose valuesBefore breakfast less than 95 mg / dlAt 2 hours after meals below 120 mg / dl
Nutrition
Featured are fruits, vegetables and whole grains - foods rich in nutrients and few calories. In contrast, consumption of animal products must be reduced and concentrated sweets.
Exercise
Exercise lowers blood sugar because glucose transport in cells where it is used for energy production. Also, exercise increases insulin sensitivity, which means that the body requires a small amount of insulin to transport glucose to cells. In addition, performed regularly, exercise may reduce some problems during pregnancy back pain, muscle cramps, constipation and insomnia.Walking, swimming and aerobic exercises are indicated during pregnancy (from case to case, we recommend consulting your doctor).
Treatment with insulin
If diet and exercise are not effective enough in controlling blood glucose, insulin is to move to lower blood glucose levels.