Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy. When a woman has gestational diabetes, she must take extra care to eat a healthy diet to avoid pregnancy and birth complications. Gestational diabetes can also have implications for weight gain during pregnancy as well as weight loss after pregnancy.
Those at Risk for Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is not common. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development estimates that only around 5 percent of pregnant women develop the condition. Having a family history of diabetes or having had gestational diabetes during another pregnancy may leave you more prone to gestational diabetes. However, other potential risk factors include carrying excess weight before your pregnancy, or gaining extra weight during your pregnancy. Gestational Diabetes is typically diagnosed during the second trimester of pregnancy; however women who are at a greater risk may be tested earlier.
Avoiding Gestational Diabetes
While certain risk factors may leave you more vulnerable, not all cases of gestational diabetes can be avoided. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) reports that in some cases, the mix of hormone changes and healthy weight gain can trigger a case of gestational diabetes in an otherwise healthy woman. However, maintaining a healthy weight prior to and during your pregnancy may leave you better equipped to avoid the condition. This is especially true if you have other risk factors associated with gestational diabetes such as a family history or glucose in the urine. If you are overweight and plan to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about starting a healthy weight loss program.
Managing Diabetes During Pregnancy
Once you develop gestational diabetes, weight loss is generally not recommended. You need to gain weight to have a healthy pregnancy and weight loss can have a negative effect on both you and your baby. However, women with gestational diabetes may be placed on a specialized diet to avoid excessive weight gain and to prevent their blood glucose levels from getting out of control. MayoClinic.com also recommends regular exercise for women with gestational diabetes, both for healthy weight maintenance and regulation of blood sugars.
Weight Loss After Pregnancy
For many women with gestational diabetes, weight loss occurs naturally after their babies are born. In addition, blood sugar levels often return to normal within 2 to 3 months, notes the NDIC. However, women who have had gestational diabetes do have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. As with initial prevention of gestational diabetes, some women may be able to prevent type 2 diabetes later by maintaining a healthy weight after their pregnancies. The NDIC reports that even a weight loss of 5 percent can make a difference in preventing diabetes later in life. If you are finding weight loss after your pregnancy too challenging, consult your doctor or a nutritionist.
