If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, don’t panic, we’re here to help.
It is not uncommon for women to develop Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) during their pregnancy. In fact, 1 in 7 Australian women are diagnosed with this condition, so you are not alone.
Why do women get gestational diabetes?
Although gestational diabetes usually goes away after giving birth, if not managed well through diet, exercise and medication, it can lead to many serious complications for both you and your baby and can increase your chances of getting type 2 diabetes later on in life.
How does gestational diabetes affect my baby?
Women with gestational diabetes are more likely to have a large for gestational age (LGA) baby, require an emergency caesarean section and go into pre-term labour . If not well managed, GDM can also cause your baby to have long-term metabolic problems with insulin and blood sugar levels, and can increase their risk of macrosomia, respiratory distress, jaundice, hypertension, shoulder dystocia, hypocglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, future obesity and renal disease.
How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?
All pregnant women should get tested for gestational diabetes between the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy. This is done through a series of blood tests and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT – sweet drink) to see how your body processes the glucose. See your medical practitioner or dietitian if you need more information about this.
How can Katrina Ridout Nutrition help with gestational diabetes?
In conjunction with your team of health professionals, Kat will provide you with the education, skills, and tools to best manage your GDM. Through effective evidence-based nutrition, you can control your blood sugar levels and minimise the risk of any adverse pregnancy outcomes for you and your baby. Contact Kat to get the nutrition support you need.