Gestational diabetes is a disorder that will affect about 4% of all pregnant women in the United States. It is not fully understood why some women have it because it usually goes away after the baby is born. One theory is that the stress of pregnancy itself causes it, but whatever the cause, any woman who is diagnosed will need to follow a diet plan for gestational diabetes.
In fact, this type of diet should be followed if an expectant mother also has pre-existing diabetes. The risk of fetal defects and even death is considerably higher with gestational diabetes. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, in the mother is the main cause of any problems caused by this condition. When this happens, the fetus will begin to produce large amounts of insulin to cope with the excess glucose (sugar) that crosses the placenta.
Increased levels of insulin in the fetus cause a condition known as macrosomia that results in a larger than normal head and body size. It can also cause breathing problems, as well as hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, or jaundice in newborns.
It is strongly recommended that any woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes receive nutritional counseling and create a diet plan with the help of a registered dietitian. It is vitally important to control blood sugar levels during pregnancy and the best way to do this is by modifying your diet.
A diet for gestational diabetes is individualized for each pregnancy based on the mother’s weight and height. It will also provide an adequate amount of calories and nutrients that are needed during pregnancy, in addition to controlling blood glucose levels. In addition, the mother will need to self-monitor her blood sugar levels at least four times a day to ensure that her glucose levels are under control. Once good glucose control is established, the frequency of self-monitoring can be decreased, but self-monitoring should continue throughout the pregnancy.
The diet plan must meet the desired weight gain and nutritional requirements necessary for a normal pregnancy. During the first trimester, weight gain should be in the range of 2 to 4 pounds and then an additional pound each week during the second and third trimesters. During the second trimester it is recommended that caloric intake be adjusted upwards approximately 100 to 300 kcal / day above that of the first trimester. Protein intake should also be increased during pregnancy to 10 grams per day, either by drinking two glasses of milk or 1 to 2 ounces of meat. 400 ug / day of folic acid should also be included in the gestational diet to help prevent neural tube and birth defects.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a very real threat during pregnancy, so calorie restriction should only be done under direct medical supervision. The minimum number of calories consumed per day should not be less than 1700 to 1800 and these calories must come from foods of high nutritional value.
A gestational diabetes diet plan is a crucial part of any pregnancy for women with this dangerous condition. Any pregnant woman diagnosed with this disorder should be evaluated by a registered dietitian who will then help her meet her dietary needs.