Posts Tagged gestational diabetes
Pregnancy Health
Posted by in Pregnancy on December 21st, 2009
To ensure a healthy pregnancy, it is important to maintain your health both before and during the pregnancy.
Below are some tips for you to maintain pregnancy health:
• For the development of the baby, it is important that you gain the right amount of weight. Your weight gain will directly affect the growth of your baby. Eating the right food in the right quantity will ensure proper development of your baby. Pregnancy cravings are famous the world over and you can give into them. Do remember that over-eating certain foods may not be very good for you and your baby. For example, excessive caffeine is not recommended during pregnancy. Gaining weight may make you lethargic and so it is very important to keep exercising. Exercise improves your blood circulation which helps in the development and growth of the baby. Labor is easier for women who exercise during their pregnancy. Kegels is highly recommended. Regular exercise also reduces the risk of gestational diabetes.
• There are various pre natal tests which help you monitor your health and the baby’s development. These tests are a part of routine pre natal care and reduce complications in pregnancy. Ultrasounds are a very important and integral part of the pregnancy tests. A 4D ultrasound is available at some medical testing centers. These help to determine your baby’s growth during the course of pregnancy. To-be-Moms of twins have to undergo more prenatal tests as a precautionary measure.
Pregnancy stretch marks are a very real possibility for every pregnant woman. Unfortunately, pregnancy has its own cons. You might experience weight gain, fatigue, back aches, and morning sickness. Pregnancy stretch marks occur often because of a huge increase in weight, thereby stretching the skin. However, they can also occur after pregnancy as a result of losing weight too fast.
Follow These Tips To Avoid Stretch Marks:
1. Drink a lot of water. By keeping your body hydrated, you are also keeping your skin hydrated. Thus, your body will become less prone to stretch marks.
2. Ensure that you don’t gain too much weight. You will have a better chance of preventing pregnancy stretch marks if you have a steady weight gain over the nine-month period.
3. Increase the circulation to areas prone to pregnancy stretch marks like the arms, legs, breasts, and abdomen, by using a body brush or wash cloth. You can gently massage a cream or lotion into those areas twice daily.
To maintain health during pregnancy, it is essential to consume healthy and nourishing food with the right mix of nutrients. Additionally, there are certain other tips that you may follow to maintain pregnancy health.
Article Source: Pregnancy Health
Ovarian Cysts During Pregnancy
Posted by in Pregnancy on November 26th, 2009
A recent study says that the number of babies born to obese mothers who die in infancy has gone up seventeen percent. Women who are obese could have many complications when they are pregnant. Other studies have found that there is an association with birth defects and being obese.
The greatest threat that smoking during pregnancy can bring to the baby is the deprivation of oxygen. Carbon Monoxide and Nicotine from cigarettes join forces to interfere with the umbilical cord and your blood vessels. The probable results are miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects, or stunted growth.
There are dangers and risks around the house for pregnant women. If for any reason she has to do the house work; she must make sure to stay away from high strength cleaners, aerosol cans, solvents and paint fumes. All these have been linked to pregnancy complications including birth defects.
If you are intimate with your partner and have one or more of the above early pregnancy symptoms then purchase a home pregnancy kit. Test your urine first thing in the morning when your urine is more concentrated to see if you are pregnant or not.
In a pregnant woman, the most common treatment available is through medications that are used to dissolve kidney stones. However, such medications must first be approved by one’s doctor to see to it that the medication will not pose any harmful effect to the unborn baby.
Avoid foodstuffs containing refined sugar or artificial sweeteners from your diabetic diet pregnancy plan for gestational diabetes. Highly sweet or sugar coated foods such as, chocolates, cold drinks must be strictly consumed.
Vaginal bleeding is very common in pregnant women in the first trimester of their getting pregnant, and it is not an issue. The problem becomes serious if the bleeding does not stop even in the second and the third trimester. Vaginal bleeding could indicate many serious conditions such as a miss carriage, molar or ectopic pregnancy, and the like.
If a woman is over the age of 25 and is obese, there is the risk that she will develop diabetes during pregnancy. Moreover, studies suggest that most women who contract diabetes during pregnancy are those who are African-American, Native American, and Hispanic.
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you just wait to see a doctor until you have insurance coverage; would you wait to take your baby to the doctor if she was sick? Hormone imbalances and thyroid problems are not to be taken lightly; the symptoms they cause are many and can quickly escalate.
Because of the complicated means of treating heart disorders in pregnant women, the focus has now shifted towards preventing their occurrence. Here, it is important to make sure that one keeps her body healthy. One way to do this is to avoid excessive weight gain as well as to monitor one’s intake of foods.
This must be balanced with providing the best returns on investment for each tight healthcare dollar and meeting diverse worldwide needs with affordable products that provide attractive long term cost of ownership.
Read About hair styles Also Read About child discipline tips and pregnancy complications
Article Source: Ovarian Cysts During Pregnancy
Your Pregnancy Size By Week! How Much Weight Should You Gain During Pregnancy?
Posted by in Pregnancy on November 5th, 2009
Not every pregnant woman is going to gain the same amount of weight, nor will they gain at the same rate. Obviously every woman – and pregnancy – is unique! However, it’s important to follow a few guidelines to help keep you on track and aware.
Maintaining a healthy weight will not only be beneficial to you, but also to your baby. It will also help to avoid certain illnesses related to pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes.
How Much Weight Should Be Gained During Pregnancy?
An average-weight woman should gain between 25 and 35 pounds throughout the entire pregnancy. Overweight Women should aim to gain a little less – about 15 pounds, and underweight women should aim for a little more – about 35-45 pounds.
Pregnant women expecting multiples will probably gain more weight than those carrying only one baby.
How Should the Weight Be Gained?
The term “eating for two” is misleading, and unhealthy. Despite the fact that there is another human growing inside of you, you do not require twice the amount of food you once did prior to being pregnant. Following this method will only put much more weight on than necessary. In general, an extra 300 calories per day is recommended. Make these calories count by focusing on healthier food choices.
Where Does the Weight Go?
The pounds gained throughout the entire pregnancy are distributed as follows:
Baby – 7-8 pounds
Placenta – 2-3 pounds
Amniotic Fluid – 2-3 pounds
Breast Tissue – 2-3 pounds
Blood Supply – 2-3 pounds
Uterus – 4 pounds
Fat – 2-5 pounds
Total – 25-35 pounds
Some women may not actually gain any weight during the first trimester, especially if they are nauseous. Others may gain quite a bit at first. Trimester 2 and 3 will (or should!) have a more even weight gain rate.
Weekly Weight Gain Rate
Follow this guide to see how much weight gained per week is ideal. Remember that this is only an average! The numbers stated below are a range:
2 weeks – 1-4 pounds
4 weeks – 3-6 pounds
6 weeks – 3-7 pounds
8 weeks – 4-9 pounds
10 weeks – 4-11 pounds
12 weeks – 5-12 pounds
14 weeks – 5-14 pounds
16 weeks – 6-15 pounds
18 weeks – 7-16 pounds
20 weeks – 7-18 pounds
22 weeks – 8-19 pounds
24 weeks – 9-20 pounds
26 weeks – 10-21 pounds
28 weeks – 11-22 pounds
30 weeks – 13-24 pounds
32 weeks – 15-26 pounds
34 weeks – 17-28 pounds
36 weeks – 19-30 pounds
38 weeks – 21-32 pounds
40 weeks – 23-35 pounds
You’ll probably gain about 3 or 4 pounds per month, with a little weight gained near the end. Don’t be alarmed if no weight is gained in the last couple of weeks – this is common.
- Lisa Simonelli Rennie, author of complete-pregnancy-guide.com. This website has all the info you need on conception, pregnancy, childbirth and labor, including a week by week guide.
Visit: http://www.complete-pregnancy-guide.com
Article Source: Your Pregnancy Size By Week! How Much Weight Should You Gain During Pregnancy?
Reasons for Bed Rest when Pregnant
Posted by in Pregnancy on October 17th, 2009
Bed rest is something that doctors recommend to 20 percent of all pregnant women. It usually occurs because the doctor is concerned that the pregnancy is high risk. Since bed rest and pregnancy happen to 1 in 5 women, it’s good to know what to expect. Some women will expect it before they become pregnant, due to genetic reasons. Bed rest when pregnant is often a surprise, but it isn’t necessarily cause for alarm.
Since bed rest can be recommended for so many different scenarios, it can range from a few hours a day at home to full-time rest in a hospital, with close monitoring. If bed rest and pregnancy is something you may be facing, keep in mind that it may be as simple as simply avoiding certain chores at home and taking a daily nap or it could mean full-time confinement to bed. You may be instructed to do it for just a few weeks, while others may do it for the bulk of the pregnancy.
Bed rest when pregnant might be advised in the face of all sorts of medical conditions. If you have a history of pregnancy problem, there is a somewhat greater chance that you will have to do at least some level of bed rest. Other conditions include high blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, poor fetal development, or cervical changes. In addition, bed rest and pregnancy are frequently considered if you are expecting a multiple birth. Premature labor, gestational diabetes and placenta complications can also lead a doctor to recommend bed rest.
Bed rest when pregnant can be prescribed for a number of reasons. Its ultimate goal is to give the body the body a chance to normalize after it has been stressed by any number of medical conditions. If high blood pressure is the problem, it is important to alleviate stress as much as possible. Other conditions, like vaginal bleeding can be exacerbated by any number of even mildly physical activities. Giving the body a chance to rest and recover can also delay or stop premature labor. If there is insufficient blood flow to the placenta, bed rest can also help get that circulation back to normal.
If you think bed rest and pregnancy might be something you are facing, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for details. Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics on your condition, and be sure to discuss in detail what sorts of activities and for what duration would be permitted. Bed rest when pregnant is common enough that doctors usually have a pretty good idea of what works, and can advise you on how to best cope with the situation.
Even though it sounds frustrating and maybe even frightening, keep in mind that most high-risk pregnancies do turn out to be successful, and you can greatly increase those odds by following your doctor’s instructions closely. You may also find that being forced to rest for a period of time is the best thing for you and your baby.
You can find helpful information about Bed rest when pregnant and everything you need to know about Bed rest and pregnancy at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Reasons for Bed Rest when Pregnant
Is it Safe to Use Artificial Sweetener when Pregnant?
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 21st, 2009
Pregnancy is a time when it is especially important to be conscious of what you put into your body. There is a lot of information out there about what you should and shouldn’t consume, and it can be confusing, especially if you have a condition that mandates some dietary restrictions. One area of concern is whether or not it’s all right to include artificial sweetener when pregnant. This is of extra concern to women who have conditions like gestational diabetes and need to curb their intake of sugars of various kinds.
If you are wondering if it’s safe to use artificial sweetener when pregnant, there are some things you should know about them in general. There are two categories of sweeteners: nutritive, and non-nutritive. Nutritive means that they include calories, while the non-nutritive types are calorie-free. Nutritive sweeteners, like regular table sugar, contain empty calories, and should be consumed in moderation since they can contribute to weight gain. They are however, considered quite safe for pregnant women to consume. Other nutritive sweeteners include sucrose, honey, dextrose, corn sugar and fructose.
Non-nutritive sweeteners are added to all kinds of food and beverages in small amounts. Since many women choose to cut back on sugar either for weight control purposes, or because they have gestational diabetes or insulin resistance, they need to know if it’s safe to include artificial sweetener in their diet while pregnant. Fortunately, there are a number that most medical professionals agree are safe for pregnant women to consume.
If you need to use an artificial sweetener when pregnant, here are some good choices for you to consider. One common artificial sweetener is Aspartame, which is found in Equal and NutraSweet. It can be found in soft drinks, gelatin, desserts, dairy products and breakfast cereal, among other things. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that Aspartame is safe for pregnant and lactating women, but should be consumed in moderation.
If you wish to include artificial sweetener in your diet, another one that the FDA considers to be safe is Sucralose, also known as Splenda. Splenda is made from sugar and is used in wide variety of foods and beverages. It can also be used for baking, or as a substitute for table sugar. It has no calories and does not impact blood sugar in any way.
If you want to use an artificial sweetener when pregnant, you need to be aware that some are not considered safe for consumption. Saccharine, also found in Sweet ‘n Low, is not recommended for pregnant women, since studies have shown it can cross the placenta barrier and remains in fetal tissue.
Another one to avoid is Stevia, since it has not been approved for use as a sweetener by the FDA, and its effects on pregnant women are unknown.
If your diet is going to include artificial sweetener, there are several that are safe for you to use in moderation. As usual, if you are wondering if, in your case, it is safe to use artificial sweetener when pregnant, be sure to talk to your doctor.
You can find helpful information about include artificial sweetener and everything you need to know about artificial sweetener when pregnant at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Is it Safe to Use Artificial Sweetener when Pregnant?
Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 19th, 2009
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that affects pregnant women only. In these specific women, their blood glucose levels are higher than they should normally be. There are a number of reasons why some women develop this disease. Therefore gestational diabetes in pregnancy has to be a concern, if you fall into some of the ranges of risk. Care for gestational diabetes, conversations between you and your physician will be necessary if you fall in line with one or more of the risks. Obesity is a risk factor in a number of conditions, but especially gestational diabetes.
Race is connected to gestational diabetes in pregnancy. Women, who are of a certain race, and are obese fall under more risk. At the top of the list of races, susceptible to this form of diabetes, are African Americans. Other races who are at risk are Native Americans, as well as, Hispanics. There are other risk factors that relate to gestational diabetes in pregnancy. These are important bits of information, all used in determining this disease.
Family history is an important consideration related to gestational diabetes in pregnancy. If there are people in your family, who now have diabetes, they will be factored into this determination process. Pregnant women, who have experienced still born births in the past, also see a connection. Gestational diabetes in pregnancy can result.
Risks do not only have to do with gestational diabetes in pregnancy. They follow the mother and child well after delivery. In most cases, pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes, continue to be susceptible even after pregnancy. These women have been known to go on to develop Type 2 diabetes mellitus. This disease is generally referred to as Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by high levels of blood glucose, just like gestational diabetes. This form of diabetes is related to an insulin resistance in the person. Type 2 diabetes is initially combated through dietary changes, and exercise. Often though, it has to be handled with medications, as the disease progresses.
The risks to a baby born to a mother with gestational diabetes can be serious. Most of these risks will occur later in this baby’s childhood, or later in life. First of all, these babies tend to be much larger than they should be for their gestational age. This largeness often produces complications when it’s time to deliver the baby.
Some of these babies will go on to experience low blood sugar, themselves. They may even appear jaundice. When the children, born to mothers with gestational diabetes, grow up, they usually have to battle obesity. Many children born to these mothers will have problems with weight throughout their entire lives.
Many of these children will go on to develop Type 2 diabetes themselves. This typically occurs later on in life, though. Just because these risks exist, it doesn’t mean that preventive measures cannot be put in place. With proper management of both exercise and diet, these children do not have to develop diabetes, at all.
You can find helpful information about care for gestational diabetes and everything you need to know about gestational diabetes in pregnancy at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy
Diabetes Screening
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 19th, 2009
Gestational diabetes mellitus is actually a disorder characterized by high blood glucose, which is related to insulin resistance. It can be discovered at any point during pregnancy. This is specifically because there are no known causes for this disease, and many women do not exhibit symptoms. Gestational diabetes mellitus is found only in pregnant women. There is a similarity between gestational diabetes mellitus and Type 2 diabetes.
Because not all pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus experience symptoms, diagnosis can be difficult. This is one reason why screening for gestational diabetes when pregnant is so important. There are a number of tests involved with screening gestational diabetes when pregnant. These may all be performed on the pregnant woman, or simply a few.
Women, with gestational diabetes mellitus, who do experience symptoms can see a variety. One of the symptoms is experiencing increased thirst. This is often accompanied by increased urination. Another symptom of gestational diabetes mellitus is nausea and vomiting. Some women even contract infections. The most common is yeast and bladder infections.
The primary purpose for the screening process is to detect if there is a high level of glucose in the expectant mother’s blood. So, samples are drawn in a very specific way. The method, of screening, doctors do to determine if gestational diabetes exists, is very thorough. Some of the testing process is less than fun for the pregnant women. But having the knowledge of her own condition is completely worthwhile.
The screen process is not only important to define the status of the mother, but how it may affect her unborn child. There are three non-challenge blood glucose tests in the screening. Each has its own individual importance and reading. Testing this way allows doctors to see the difference between a blood glucose reading at different times in a woman’s day. Tests focus on her status when she’s eaten, and when the pregnant woman has not eaten.
One of the non-challenge blood glucose tests is the fasting glucose test. This one is as its name implies. It is done on the pregnant woman when she has not eaten any food. Doctors typically give their patients instructions about how this test will be done. They will also instruct them on what hours, to eat and what hours, they should not.
Another test done to determine gestational diabetes is the 2-hour postprandial test. The postprandial test is done after the pregnant woman has eaten a meal. These results are very specific and have an important meaning. Doctors understand what range a woman’s glucose should be after a meal. If the numbers are too high, at this specific time, the woman is at risk for this disease.
The random glucose test is another test done in the screen process. Just as the other tests this one is time sensitive as well. Blood is drawn and tested for glucose levels. Again, the blood should be within a certain range to receive a normal rating. If the woman’s glucose level is above 126mg after fasting, no further tests are needed. She would be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
You can find helpful information about screening for gestational diabetes when pregnant and everything you need to know about gestational diabetes mellitus at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Diabetes Screening
Dietary Changes of Diabetes
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 19th, 2009
Women with gestational diabetes should especially avoid high sugar foods when pregnant. Many women decide to use home remedies as a way to handle their diabetes. There are a number of safe home remedy style means to treat diabetes. The majority of these act to help regulate your blood glucose. You should, however, consult your physician before using any of these remedies. Although most of them seem potentially safe, getting your doctor’s opinion couldn’t hurt.
It is important for them to find ways of maintaining a proper diet. Although pregnant women, often have extreme cravings, they must seek avenue of maintaining a proper diet. One of the best ways to do this is to eliminate high sugar foods when pregnant.
Many women look forward to getting pregnant, because of the foods they will be able to splurge on. They don’t mind consuming high sugar foods when pregnant, because it’s only for a time. This all changes, if they are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. In this scenario, their concerns shift to maintaining a proper diet. Fortunately, there are many helps available for them to refer to in the process of becoming healthy.
In reality eating high sugar foods when pregnant is not good for you or your baby. Foods with a lot of sugar aren’t good for anyone. Gestational diabetes is defined as a condition where a pregnant woman has high blood glucose levels. Women with gestational diabetes, often exhibit a resistance to insulin. This is why high sugar foods when pregnant, should be avoided.
Your health care provider will talk with you about ways to change your diet. In fact, most physicians try dietary changes, as there first method of treating this form of diabetes. Your physician will tell you what foods you should be eating, like fruits and vegetables. And which foods you need to steer away from, like those high in sugar.
The next step, health care providers usually take, involves exercise. Practicing a regular exercise program is very important to both mother and baby. Through exercise, a pregnant woman will be able to maintain a healthy weight. This can be achieved even throughout pregnancy. Exercise is also a great way of keeping your blood glucose within a safe range.
If your gestational diabetes progresses in a certain way, your physician may consider insulin. Prescribing an anti-diabetic medication, like insulin, is often used to combat gestational diabetes. Insulin is the most popular of these. Your doctor or nurse will be sure to explain the process of taking insulin to you.
One of the home remedies involves the taking of garlic, in some form. Garlic, is believed to be a sugar regulator. Chromium picolinate is also a supplement used as a home remedy. This is used because of its believed ability to keep sugar levels low in the blood. Some of the home remedies, also fit into the natural category. Natural products typically use plant based ingredients in them.
One of these natural remedies is huckleberries. Huckleberries are said to be an avenue of promoting the production of insulin, in the body.
You can find helpful information about maintaining a proper diet and everything you need to know about high sugar foods when pregnant at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Dietary Changes of Diabetes
Is There A Cure For Diabetes During Pregnancy?
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 19th, 2009
Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, often want to hear that there is a cure for this disease. Since there is no known cause of gestational diabetes, there is really no cure. Instead of, looking for a cure for diabetes when pregnant, women should focus on proper medical treatment. This is a condition that can be managed, but should never be ignored.
Doctors will do a screening process on pregnant women. One of the tests performed in the screening is the glucose tolerance test. This test and others are designed to detect what the levels of glucose are in a pregnant woman’s blood. Therefore, blood samples will be drawn before administering the glucose tolerance test and others. Proper medical treatment for these women, can be considered a cure for diabetes when pregnant.
It is important, however, to understand just what gestational diabetes is. This is described as a condition that pregnant women develop. It is a form of diabetes diagnosed in women, who many times have never been diagnosed with diabetes. Gestational diabetes, however, is centralized to the pregnancy process. These women exhibit high blood glucose levels. Gestational diabetes is detected in 3 – 10% of all pregnancies.
Not only is there not a well-defined cause for this disease, many women do not experience symptoms. In these cases, diagnosis is extremely paramount. This is where the screening process plays its most important role, and where the glucose tolerance test comes in. The glucose tolerance test, or the oral glucose tolerance test, is one of several typically performed on pregnant women who are at risk for diabetes.
The prime time to perform a glucose tolerance test is in the morning. Generally this would be after the pregnant woman has fasted. It is optimum to have her fast between eight and fourteen hours, before performing this test. The test itself involves drinking a solution, which contains a certain amount of glucose. This drink is often described as a thick, sweet, cola like concoction.
After this liquid is drunk, blood will be drawn from the woman. This will be done in order to measure glucose levels. These measurements will be done at the start, and at specific intervals after the drink has been consumed. The fasting number, of a pregnant woman’s glucose should be less than 95mg. An hour after drinking the solution, her number should be less than 180mg. And two hours afterwards it should be less than 155mg. A final reading will be done after three hours have passed. This reading should be less than 140mg.
When the screening process goes smoothly, a diagnosis is easy to determine. However, this is not the case for all women who drink the solution. Somewhere between 10 -15% of women, who drink this liquid, vomit. This delays, if not postpones the test. When a test isn’t performed, a woman cannot be diagnosed properly.
Many doctors have now begun to use jelly beans to test the glucose instead of the liquid. The jelly beans have become a good alternative.
You can find helpful information about glucose tolerance test and everything you need to know about cure for diabetes when pregnant at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Is There A Cure For Diabetes During Pregnancy?
