Gestational Diabetes: Once You're Diagnosed

By Amy Campbell If you're a pregnant woman, probably one of the last things you want to hear is that you have gestational diabetes. Your thoughts might range from, "What did I do to cause this?" to "Will my baby be OK?" First, keep in mind that it's perfectly normal to feel scared and worried. Second, while gestational diabetes (GDM) is indeed serious, remember that, with proper management, you can have a healthy baby. Once you're diagnosed If you find out that you have GDM, be prepared to learn a lot about diabetes! You'll likely be referred to a diabetes educator and/or a dietitian. You might also be referred to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in diabetes and other endocrine disorders. In most cases, you'll be seen by a member of your health-care team about every two weeks. Be prepared to start checking your blood glucose with a meter, following a meal plan, checking your urine for ketones, recording your food and glucose levels, and possibly starting on insulin. In other words, be prepared to do some homework! Your team is there to support you and make sure that you receive the right treatment. Treating GDM There are a number of ways in which GDM is treated, and they all work together to help ensure that your blood glucose levels stay in a safe range throughout your pregnancy. Remember that the goal is to keep your blood glucose in a normal range; this is because, when blood glucose levels are too high, the extra glucose crosses the placenta to the baby. Too ...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - Category: Diabetes Authors: Source Type: blogs