Yesterday I shared ways that you can alter your recipes to make them fit your gestational diabetes needs a little better. Eating a balanced diet is always important during pregnancy, but when you have gestational diabetes, it is more important than ever. Not adhering to your diet can lead to your baby gaining too much weight, which could lead to birth complications. Sticking to your diet is never easy, but you do have more control when you are eating at home. Things get complicated when you’re invited to a party and no longer have any control over the menu. Imagine … Continue reading →

A gestational diabetes diagnosis can really throw a wrench into an otherwise happy pregnancy. Suddenly you’re no longer allowed to gleefully succumb to your cravings. Instead you’re trapped by a strict diet plan. Writing up your grocery list becomes even more of a chore than it was before because you’re trying to count carbs. You doubt your usual dinner repertoire is going to work this week and you struggle to come up with a new meal plan. When your family doesn’t want to eat what’s on your menu, it becomes even more frustrating. You’re on a diet you didn’t sign … Continue reading →

Did you know that women who have a family history of diabetes have a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes during their pregnancy? According to a new study, the risks are even higher if that family member is a sibling, as opposed to a parent. Gestational diabetes, which is usually diagnosed in the second half of pregnancy, affects about three percent of all pregnant women. It causes higher than normal blood sugar levels, which can lead to your baby developing jaundice, gaining too much weight, and/or having low blood sugar (due to the sudden drop in sugars once she is … Continue reading →

Did you know that around five percent of women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Unlike Type II diabetes, gestational diabetes is limited to pregnancy. You are cured once you have your baby. That does not mean that gestational diabetes is without its risks, however. You wouldn’t want to end up with an over-sized baby, for example! That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Recently I was notified of a new study coming out in the latest issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Mark Landon and a team of investigators from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National … Continue reading →

Gestational Diabetes is a relatively common complication of pregnancy, affecting between three and eight percent of pregnant women. Gestational diabetes has been linked to problems such as large size of the baby, a greater risk of needing interventions and birth and a higher rate of c section. For the baby, risk associated with gestational diabetes include an increased risk of developing type II diabetes later in life and a higher risk of jaundice or hypoglycemia at birth. Recent research suggests another potential long term complication. French researchers have found a link between gestational diabetes and language delays. The study was … Continue reading →

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, you are not alone. About five percent of pregnant women will develop this condition. Nearly all pregnant women are screened for gestational diabetes in the second trimester, usually by the 28th week. The reason all women are screened is due to the danger posed to mother and baby from gestational diabetes that is left untreated. While the condition is not known to cause birth defects, there can be problems for the baby if mom’s glucose level is not kept under control. Some of the problems which can result include having … Continue reading →