Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for gestational diabetes

by Saul Padberg Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Insulin injections are the standard medication for gestational diabetes. Your doctor may prescribe a fast-acting insulin that you take before a meal, or an intermediate- or long-acting (basal) insulin that you take at bedtime or upon waking.Dec 15, 2015

Medication

Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of pregnant women who don't have gestational diabetes. The treatment always includes special meal plans and scheduled physical activity, and it may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections. If you're testing your blood glucose, the American Diabetes Association suggests …

Self-care

Treatment for Gestational Diabetes. You can do a lot to manage your gestational diabetes. Go to all your prenatal appointments and follow your treatment plan, including: Checking your blood sugar to make sure your levels stay in a healthy range. Eating healthy food …

Nutrition

4 rows · The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that women diagnosed with gestational ...

Are there any alternative treatments for gestational diabetes?

10 rows · Jun 24, 2017 · Treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) aims to reduce hyperglycaemia and in turn ...

What is the best diet for gestational diabetes?

Jun 13, 2019 · Metformin or glibenclamide may be considered as initial pharmacological, glucose-lowering treatment in women with gestational diabetes. ADA, 2018 Insulin is the preferred medication or treating hyperglycemia in gestational diabetes mellitus as it does not cross the placenta to a measurable extent.

What to do if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

Results: Insulin does not cross the placenta and has an established safety profile in pregnancy and is therefore considered a first-line treatment for gestational diabetes. Metformin and glyburide have also been shown to be relatively safe in …

How often should I eat if I have gestational diabetes?

The first step in treating gestational diabetes is to modify your diet to help keep your blood sugar level in the normal range, while still eating a healthy diet. Most women with well-controlled blood sugar deliver healthy babies without any complications.

See more

image

What is the best treatment for diabetes in a pregnant woman?

Insulin is the traditional first-choice drug for blood sugar control during pregnancy because it is the most effective for fine-tuning blood sugar and it doesn't cross the placenta. Therefore, it is safe for the baby.

What is first line treatment for gestational diabetes?

ORAL MEDICATIONS

An elevated blood glucose level despite lifestyle modifications is an indication for pharmacologic therapy. Although insulin has historically been the standard therapy for women with uncontrolled GDM, oral medications are now appropriate first-line therapies as well.
Apr 1, 2015

How can I lower my gestational diabetes fast?

Sweets and desserts should be avoided as they may lead to high blood sugar levels.
  1. Eat 3 meals and 2–3 snacks per day. ...
  2. Measure your servings of starchy foods. ...
  3. One 8-ounce cup of milk at a time. ...
  4. One small portion of fruit at a time. ...
  5. Eat more fiber. ...
  6. Breakfast Matters. ...
  7. Avoid fruit juice and sugary drinks.

How do doctors treat gestational diabetes?

If diet and exercise aren't enough to manage your blood sugar levels, you may need insulin injections to lower your blood sugar. A small number of women with gestational diabetes need insulin to reach their blood sugar goals. Some health care providers prescribe an oral medication to manage blood sugar levels.Apr 9, 2022

Is insulin better than metformin for gestational diabetes?

A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that metformin is better than insulin in reducing both, maternal weight gain during pregnancy and the frequency of PIH, with no changes in the frequency of hypoglycemia and preeclampsia (Gui et al., 2013).Jun 17, 2020

At what point do you need insulin with gestational diabetes?

Therefore, insulin therapy traditionally has been started when capillary blood glucose levels exceed 105 mg per dL (5.8 mmol per L) in the fasting state and 120 mg per dL (6.7 mmol per L) two hours after meals.Nov 1, 2003

Is lemon water good for gestational diabetes?

Yes, you can eat lemons if you have diabetes. In fact, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) lists lemons as a diabetes superfood. Oranges are also on the ADA superfood list. Although lemons and oranges have about the same amount of carbs, lemons have less sugar.

Can you get rid of gestational diabetes while pregnant?

Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes usually goes away on its own and soon after delivery blood sugar levels return to normal, says Dr. Tania Esakoff, clinical director of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. "There is no need for gestational diabetes to take away from the joys of pregnancy."Feb 28, 2019

Can lemon water lower your blood sugar?

Lemon juice significantly lowered the mean blood glucose concentration peak by 30% (p < 0.01) and delayed it more than 35 min (78 vs. 41 min with water, p < 0.0001).

How quickly does gestational diabetes go away?

Get Tested for Diabetes after Pregnancy

Get tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born, and then every 1 to 3 years. For most women with gestational diabetes, the diabetes goes away soon after delivery.

What is the main cause of gestational diabetes?

What Causes Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't make enough insulin during your pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into the cells in your body for use as energy.

Can gestational diabetes be managed without medication?

Gestational diabetes

Often, the mother's blood sugar can be controlled early in the pregnancy without medicine. But as the pregnancy goes on, she will likely need medicines or insulin. After the pregnancy, her blood sugar will likely go back to normal.

How to manage gestational diabetes?

How can I manage my gestational diabetes? Many women with gestational diabetes can manage their blood glucose levels by following a healthy eating plan and being physically active. Some women also may need diabetes medicine.

How to check blood glucose levels?

How will I know whether my blood glucose levels are on target? 1 Before meals, at bedtime, and overnight: 95 or less 2 1 hour after eating: 140 or less 3 2 hours after eating: 120 or less 3

How does physical activity help you?

Physical activity can help you reach your target blood glucose levels. If your blood pressure or cholesterol levels are too high, being physically active can help you reach healthy levels. Physical activity can also relieve stress, strengthen your heart and bones, improve muscle strength, and keep your joints flexible.

How to treat gestational diabetes?

Treatment. Treatment for gestational diabetes includes: Lifestyle changes. Blood sugar monitoring. Medication, if necessary. Managing your blood sugar levels helps keep you and your baby healthy. Close management can also help you avoid complications during pregnancy and delivery.

How to help a baby with diabetes?

But the steps that will help control your blood sugar level — such as eating healthy foods and exercising regularly — can help relieve stress , nourish your baby and help prevent type 2 diabetes in the future.

How often should gestational diabetes be checked?

This test is similar to the initial test — except the sweet solution will have even more sugar and your blood sugar will be checked every hour for three hours. If at least two of the blood sugar readings are higher than expected, you'll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

How many women with gestational diabetes need insulin?

Between 10% and 20% of women with gestational diabetes need insulin to reach their blood sugar goals. Some doctors prescribe an oral medication to control blood sugar, while others believe more research is needed to confirm that oral drugs are as safe and as effective as injectable insulin to control gestational diabetes.

How to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range?

Lifestyle changes. Your lifestyle — how you eat and move — is an important part of keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. Doctors don't advise losing weight during pregnancy — your body is working hard to support your growing baby.

What is the best diet for diabetics?

A healthy diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein — foods that are high in nutrition and fiber and low in fat and calories — and limits highly refined carbohydrates, including sweets.

How to get rid of back pain during pregnancy?

With your doctor's OK, aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week.

How to manage gestational diabetes?

You can do a lot to manage your gestational diabetes. Go to all your prenatal appointments and follow your treatment plan, including: 1 Checking your blood sugar to make sure your levels stay in a healthy range. 2 Eating healthy food in the right amounts at the right times. Follow a healthy eating plan created by your doctor or dietitian. 3 Being active. Regular physical activity that’s moderately intense (such as brisk walking) lowers your blood sugar and makes you more sensitive to insulin so your body won’t need as much. Make sure to check with your doctor about what kind of physical activity you can do and if there are any kinds you should avoid. 4 Monitoring your baby. Your doctor will check your baby’s growth and development.

Can gestational diabetes have any symptoms?

Gestational diabetes typically doesn’t have any symptoms. Your medical history and whether you have any risk factors may suggest to your doctor that you could have gestational diabetes, but you’ll need to be tested to know for sure.

How many women with gestational diabetes have type 2 diabetes?

About 50% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. Talk to your doctor about how to lower your risk and how often to have your blood sugar checked to make sure you’re on track.

Does gestational diabetes increase blood pressure?

Having gestational diabetes can increase your risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy. It can also increase your risk of having a large baby that needs to be delivered by cesarean section (C-section).

Can gestational diabetes cause a large baby?

It can also increase your risk of having a large baby that needs to be delivered by cesarean section (C-section). If you have gestational diabetes, your baby is at higher risk of: Being very large (9 pounds or more), which can make delivery more difficult. Being born early, which can cause breathing and other problems.

How to get rid of diabetes?

Eating healthy food in the right amounts at the right times. Follow a healthy eating plan created by your doctor or dietitian. Being active. Regular physical activity that’s moderately intense (such as brisk walking) lowers your blood sugar and makes you more sensitive to insulin so your body won’t need as much.

What happens when you don't make enough insulin during pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can’t make enough insulin during your pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into the cells in your body for use as energy. During pregnancy, your body makes more hormones and goes through other changes, such as weight gain.

How to help a baby with gestational diabetes?

Work on Your Diet. Get More Exercise . Test Your Blood Sugar. Take Medication. Chart Your Baby’s Growth. If you have gestational diabetes, you'll need to get your blood sugar under control, and keep it that way, to protect your health and your baby's. You’ll have to make some lifestyle changes for that to happen.

What to do if your blood sugar is high?

If your blood sugar remains high despite these changes, the doctor may prescribe diabetes pills to keep it in check and protect your baby. If they don’t do the job, the next step may be insulin injections.

How many calories should a woman eat a day?

Your dietitian will recommend the number of total daily calories a woman your height and weight should get. About 2,200 to 2,500 calories per day is the norm for women of average weight. If you’re overweight, you may need to lower that to about 1,800 calories per day.

How much of your calories are fat?

Less than 30% of your calories from fats. Less than 10% of your fat calories from saturated fats. The remaining 40% or so of your calories from carbohydrates like breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables.

How to check blood sugar at home?

Test Your Blood Sugar. Make sure the diet changes and added exercise get your blood sugar levels under control. Test your levels regularly, before meals and 1 or 2 hours after meals . If you don’t already have a blood glucose meter to use at home, your doctor will probably give you one and teach you how to use it.

How to get blood sugar levels under control?

Make sure the diet changes and added exercise get your blood sugar levels under control. Test your levels regularly, before meals and 1 or 2 hours after meals. If you don’t already have a blood glucose meter to use at home, your doctor will probably give you one and teach you how to use it.

What percentage of calories are from protein?

10% to 20% of your calories from protein sources like meats, cheeses, eggs, seafood, and legumes. Less than 30% of your calories from fats. Less than 10% of your fat calories from saturated fats. The remaining 40% or so of your calories from carbohydrates like breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables.

What is GDM in pregnancy?

Background. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a special form of diabetes in women of child-bearing age and is a common gestational endocrine disease [1]. Due to its increasing prevalence, GDM results in significant short- and long-term impairments in the individual’s health and their offspring’s health [2–6].

What is a GDM?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a special form of diabetes in women of child-bearing age and is a common gestational endocrine disease [1]. Due to its increasing prevalence, GDM results in significant short- and long-term impairments in the individual’s health and their offspring’s health [2–6].

How to control blood sugar during pregnancy?

Distribute your foods between three meals and two or three snacks each day. Eating too much at one time can cause your blood sugar to rise too much. It is very important that you do not skip meals. During pregnancy, you have increased nutritional needs and your baby requires balanced nutrition.

When does gestational diabetes go away?

It usually arises in the second half of pregnancy and goes away as soon as the baby is born. However, if gestational diabetes is not treated, you may experience complications. The first step in treating gestational diabetes is to modify your diet to help keep your blood sugar level in the normal range, while still eating a healthy diet.

What are the effects of sugar alcohols?

Sugar alcohols may have a laxative effect or cause gas and bloating. The following are examples of sugar-alcohols: 1 Mannitol 2 Maltitol 3 Sorbital 4 Xylitol 5 Isomalt 6 Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate

Can gestational diabetes cause complications?

However, if gestational diabetes is not treated, you may experience complications. The first step in treating gestational diabetes is to modify your diet to help keep your blood sugar level in the normal range, while still eating a healthy diet. Most women with well-controlled blood sugar deliver healthy babies without any complications.

How to keep blood sugar levels in normal range?

One way of keeping your blood sugar levels in normal range is by monitoring the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Carbohydrate foods digest and turn into blood glucose (a type of sugar). Glucose in the blood is necessary because it is the fuel for your body and nourishment your baby receives from you. However, it's important that glucose levels ...

Why is glucose important for babies?

Glucose in the blood is necessary because it is the fuel for your body and nourishment your baby receives from you. However, it's important that glucose levels stay within target.

What foods have a lot of carbs?

Breads, tortillas, crackers, bagels and rolls. Dried beans, split peas and lentils. Potatoes, corn, yams, peas and winter squash. Sweets and desserts, such as sugar, honey, syrups, pastries, cookies, soda and candy also typically have large amounts of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates in foods are measured in units called grams.

image

Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Coping and Support

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Khutaija Bano
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
It can be managed with nutritious diet and exercise. Medication is necessary only if sugar level is uncontrollable with diet and exercise.
Medication

Hormonal therapy: To regulate blood glucose levels. The most recommended is insulin injection.

Insulin


Antidiabetics: To control the amount of blood glucose level. During pregnancy, the first choice would be Insulin injection, however, the recent studies have shown that the oral medications may be safe. Follow your doctor's advice.

Metformin . Glyburide

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Monitoring the level of blood sugar at regular intervals will help regulating and avoid complications.
  • Intake of Healthy diet- consult the doctor to recommend a healthy diet which suits.
  • Regular Exercise - Regular, simple exercise helps lowering blood sugar level and provide more energy. It also relives common symptoms during pregnancy like low back pain, constipation, swelling of legs, etc.
  • Close monitoring of the baby- a close monitoring on the developments of the baby is also essential and hence advised repeated ultrasound tests.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Make sure that there is protein with every meal
  • Have fresh fruits and vegetables

Foods to avoid:

  • Avoid processed and baked foods
  • Avoid spicy and sugary foods
  • Quit smoking and alcoholic beverages

Specialist to consult

Endocrinologist
Specializes in the function and disorders of the endocrine system of the body.
Gynecologist
Specializes in the health of the female reproductive systems and breasts.

Preparing For Your Appointment

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9