Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Gestational Diabetes-Part 2

Treatment of gestational diabetes is not difficult; the blood sugars have to be frequently monitored and treated with insulin. Once the diagnosis of gestational diabetes has been made, the mother must make a change in her diet and avoid sugary foods.

Diets consisting of vegetables, whole grains and fruits are recommended. Exercise is highly recommended for all women with gestational diabetes. Exercise can help lower the blood sugars by forcing the glucose into the cells where it is utilized and stored.

Further, exercise helps maintain weight and reduces overall body swelling. The types of exercises may include regular walking, cycling, swimming or light jogging.

Prognosis

Females who develop gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing both obesity and diabetes later on in life. Gestational diabetes can also increase the risk of developing pre-eclampsia in the mother.

Pre-eclampsia is a serious medical disorder characterized by elevated blood pressure, retention of water and excretion of protein in the urine. If untreated, it can be life threatening to both the mother and the fetus. All mothers with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes are carefully followed by their physician to ensure that the sugar levels do not get out of control. The baby’s growth is regular monitored with serial ultrasound.

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