Gestational diabetes is a medical condition that affects a woman during pregnancy. This type of diabetes will affect how the body utilizes glucose, or the body's natural form of sugar, for energy. The condition often causes an increase in blood pressure for the woman, and may pose dangerous conditions for the developing fetus. The Mayo Clinic suggests moderate forms of exercise for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, though certain cautions should be regarded for optimal health and wellness.
Low Blood Sugar
One of the common results or complications of gestational diabetes is a low blood sugar reading. This means your body doesn't or won't have the necessary amount of glucose or sugars for energy required of long or intense workouts. Talk to your doctor about how to protect you and your baby from low blood sugar and what types of exercise may be beneficial. Gestational diabetes may cause your glucose levels to drop, leading to a condition called hypoglycemia. Test your blood glucose levels before and during your workout until you know how your body reacts to various forms of exercise.
High Blood Pressure
Depending on your overall health and condition, some exercises, when accompanied by conditions like gestational diabetes, may dangerously increase your heart rate and blood pressure, which causes blood circulation to be directed to your vital organs and away from your developing baby. Don't let your heart rate rise above 140 beats a minute, suggests the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dizziness and Dehydration
Exercising too fast or too hard, even for low-impact exercise routines, can cause dizziness, which may contribute to falls, heart palpitations or feelings of faintness, according to Check Diabetes Organization. If you feel even a little off-balance or dizzy, stop exercising and sit down. Exercising with gestational diabetes increases your risk of experiencing dehydration, so always make sure to drink adequate amounts of water before and during and following your workouts.
Nerve and Vessel Damage
Exercising while pregnant, if you have diabetes, may cause some nerve damage for some women, according to the American Diabetes Association. It may also cause damage to blood vessels, and to nerves and vessels in the eyes, kidneys or heart. Before starting or continuing any exercise program when you're pregnant and have diabetes, talk to your doctor about the best forms of exercise for you and your current condition.
