Not sure what first steps to take with a new Gestational diabetes diagnosis? We’ve got you covered.
New Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis
Are you pregnant and recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes? You’re not alone. Almost 1 in 10 women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during their pregnancy (1). Your doctor might have told you that this condition is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Your blood sugar, or blood glucose, is higher than normal.
First Steps for Gestational Diabetes
What does this mean? How will this affect you and your baby? Don’t panic; your diagnosis allows you to take steps to allow you and your family to live healthy, full lives.
The first thing to consider is complications with your baby. Gestational diabetes means your baby is at relatively higher risk for complications like a large birth weight, preeclampsia, heart defects, delivery by C-section, and in some cases stillbirth and death in the first week of life (2,3). For these reasons, it’s important to visit your doctor regularly to make sure you’re taking the right precautions to ensure the best outcome.
It’s also important to gain weight healthfully while you’re pregnant. While many think pregnancy is a free pass to “eat for 2,” gaining too much weight could make your gestational diabetes worse for your future health and the health of your baby. The Institute of Medicine has this handy table for weight gain recommendations:
How Much Weight Should You Gain When You’re Pregnant
| If you start your pregnancy as… | You should gain… |
| Underweight: BMI less than 18.5 |
28 – 40 pounds |
| Normal Weight: BMI 18.5 – 24.9 |
25 – 35 pounds |
| Overweight: BMI 25.0 – 29.9 |
15 – 25 pounds |
| Obese (includes all classes): BMI greater than or equal to 30.0 |
11 – 20 pounds |
You may be scared by your new diagnosis, but see it as a chance to improve your long-term health and optimize your baby’s growth and development. Your doctor just handed you a crystal ball showing you the window to your future; women with gestational diabetes are 7x more likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years of their pregnancy (4). The good news is, the future isn’t set in stone. You have a chance to prevent diabetes and change the future.
Lifestyle Changes with Gestational Diabetes
Since you know you’re at higher risk, you can make lifestyle changes now to keep your body healthy. Exercise is especially important, even just taking a 15-30 minute brisk walk after lunch or dinner each day. You can make simple changes in your diet, too, like eating more whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables and eating less refined bread and flours. Check out Gestational Diabetes: A Family Opportunity for more lifestyle tips to keep your family healthy.
