How to Live with Gestational Diabetes

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By Mitestarossa
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Check your blood sugars often.

Even though gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy, some of its effects can last a lifetime. Children born from mothers with elevated blood sugar have a higher chance of getting diabetes.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

LISTEN - When your doctor tells you that you have to control your blood sugar, listen! When your sugar levels are elevated so are you babies! At least there is an end in sight, at the end of your pregnancy your gestational diabetes goes away immediately. So pay attention when they try to teach you how to eat properly and control your blood sugar during pregnancy.
Step 2

TEST YOURSELF REGULARLY - Test your blood sugar at the rate that your doctor recommends. Report any irregularities immediately. Take your meter with you wherever you go. You may need to test yourself at a time that you were not planning to do so.
Step 3

MONITOR YOURSELF - Exhaustion, fatigue and thirst can be normal in pregnancy, but if you are feeling more so than usual let your doctor know.
Step 4

THINGS TO AVOID - Peanut butter, cereals, milk, and wine are all high in sugars. Have only small amounts of non-fat and low-fat dairy products. Eat only small amounts of food that have a high glycemic index such as white rice.
Step 5

EAT A BALANCED DIET - Eat foods that are low in fat, sugar and salt. Eat plenty of vegetables and some fruit and whole grains. Eat low fat proteins such as turkey and chicken.
Step 6

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER - Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day unless more or less is recommended by your doctor.