Nearly 1 in 10 pregnant people are diagnosed with gestational (pregnancy) diabetes as their pregnancy progresses. But the great news is that even if you’ve been diagnosed, there are treatment strategies to help manage your condition and have a healthy pregnancy and baby. Here’s what to know about maintaining healthy blood sugar levels throughout your pregnancy.
It’s Important to Make Lifestyle Changes
Making a few key changes in your day-to-day may be just what your body needs to reduce your blood sugar and keep levels in a healthy range. Focusing on a healthy, pregnancy-friendly diet and moderate level of physical activity is important for any pregnant person, but especially those diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Your doctor (and some may have access to a registered dietician) can help you put a plan in place to maintain your blood sugar levels, as well as help manage weight gain during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Nutrition: Focus on Healthy Food Groups
Eating a well-balanced, gestational diabetes diet with a focus on fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein is a great place to start. These food groups have a lot going for them nutritionally (vitamins, fiber, you name it) and are lower in calories and fat. Filling up on these food groups can also help limit the amount of highly-refined carbohydrates and sugars that simply aren’t good for mamas with gestational diabetes. And don’t forget to watch what you drink, too. Sugary beverages such as soda, sweetened coffees or teas, and juices can be detrimental to your blood sugar levels.
Experts also recommend those with gestational diabetes eat regular meals throughout the day, along with two to three healthy snacks in between. Keeping a consistent diet and schedule can help you avoid dips and spikes in your blood sugar levels. The great news is that you’re not alone in figuring out how to eat in the best way for your pregnancy and gestational diabetes. There are a lot of medical professionals on your side. Registered dietitians and diabetes educators can help you put together an easy-to-follow diabetic diet plan that takes your health, food preferences and budget into concern. In many cases, your provider will refer you to a dietician to work with throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
Physical Activity is Key
Moving your body is another great way to keep your blood sugar in check. And while we know that exercise can be a tall order on some days during pregnancy, the benefits are absolutely worth it. Aim for moderate activity—such as a brisk, 30-minute walk—five days a week. Walking for 10 to 15 minutes after each meal can also help with blood sugar control. Exercise not only lowers your blood sugar, but also makes your body more sensitive to insulin so it won’t need as much to do its job effectively. Consult with your provider about the best kind of physical activity for you, your health history, and your pregnancy—as well as which activities to avoid.
You’ll Likely Need to Monitor Your Blood Sugar
Many people with gestational diabetes will be advised to test their blood sugar levels every day to ensure their levels are within a healthy range throughout their pregnancy. For those testing their levels, good target blood sugar levels are:
- Before a meal: 95 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) or less
- One hour after a meal: 140 mg/dl or less
- Two hours after a meal 120 mg/dl or less
You will use a glucose meter to track your levels. This device measures your blood sugar and displays the amount of glucose in your blood. To use most glucose meters, a test strip is typically inserted into the device. Then you’ll prick your finger using a special clean needle. Once a drop of blood is formed, you’ll carefully touch the test trip and wait until a reading appears.
When using your glucose meter, it’s helpful to keep a record of your readouts to keep track of your levels, note of any fluctuations, and easily discuss your readings with your provider. There are many blood sugar logging apps to easily keep track of your readings right on your phone.
Sometimes Medication is Necessary
While a healthy diet and regular exercise may help some pregnant people control their blood sugar levels, others may also be prescribed medication. The most common medication for gestational diabetes is insulin, which doesn’t cross the placenta and won’t affect your little one. Someone on your medical team may teach you how to give yourself insulin injections, or your provider may provide a different medication to take orally.
Even with medication it’s important to continue monitoring your blood sugar levels, as changes to your medication may be necessary as your pregnancy progresses.
Your Baby Will Be Monitored, Too
If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your baby will get special care and monitoring to ensure they’re healthy throughout your pregnancy. Your baby may receive some of the following tests to help identify any possible problems and help your provider address them:
- Kick counts: You may be asked to keep a record of how often you feel your little one move, as healthy babies tend to move about the same amount every day. Two ways to do kick counts include:
- Every day, keep track of how long it takes your baby to move 10 times. If longer than two hours, contact your provider.
- Within an hour, record how many movements you feel. Do this several times a week and keep track of the number. If the number changes, contact your provider.
- Non-stress test: This test measures the baby’s heart rate when they move, using a belt with a sensor placed around your belly. “Non-stress” means nothing is done to make your baby stressed during this simple test.
- Biophysical profile (BPP): Similar to a non-stress test, a BPP monitors the fetal heart rate when an ultrasound exam is performed. Baby’s breathing, movement, muscle tone, and the amount of amniotic fluid present are recorded.
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Plan for Labor and Delivery
Most people who have successfully managed their gestational diabetes during pregnancy will be able to complete a full-term pregnancy. However, if there are complications, there is the potential for labor to be induced before baby’s due date. While the babies of those with gestational diabetes have the potential to have a higher birth weight—and therefore a higher C-section delivery rate—people with gestational diabetes can also have a vaginal birth. Discuss the risks and benefits of each type of delivery with your provider as you near the end of your pregnancy.
Continue to Monitor Your Blood Sugar After Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing diabetes in your next pregnancy, and increases your risk of type 2 diabetes in the future. So it’s super important to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels and health after your pregnancy journey ends. Your provider will likely recommend a blood test four to 12 weeks after you deliver. If normal, you should be tested for diabetes every one to three years. If your blood sugar levels are still outside of the normal range, your provider will discuss the next steps to treat and manage your condition.