Gestational Diabetes

The Importance of Physical Activity

the body’s inability to create enough insulin to properly metabolize sugars in the system.  In some cases, the doctor will have to prescribe regular insulin shots, to give the body the help needed to bring sugar levels back down to normal.

In all cases, the doctor will prescribe a mandatory diet plan and an exercise program. Changing how and when food is consumed will control the intake of sugar. Exercising will help the body burn the excess sugar that is hard for the system to metabolize. Contrary to what many people believe, it does not require strenuous exercise to burn excess sugar.  The key to better health is movement.  Since every mom and pregnancy is different, the doctor will prescribe the exercises that are best.

How to Exercise

Sometimes mom will quit exercising, after discovering they are pregnant.  Fearful of having a miscarriage or doing some sort of harm to the baby, it seems reasonable to be careful and put the feet up as much as possible.  While it does not hurt to be pampered to some degree, normal life should not stop simply because the womb is incubating a baby.  Unless complications arise, and the doctor says otherwise, it is important to stay as active as possible.

As long as mom does not suffer fatigue or feel undo discomfort, exercise is good for her and the baby.  With a normal pregnancy, many moms exercise until the moment they go into labor. Nevertheless, moms should never start a strenuous program that they are not already accustomed to enduring.  The doctor will have specific criteria.  Some of the workouts that might be recommended are:

• Upper Body Exercises
• Walking
• Swimming

For women that are having additional complications with pregnancy, or simply too far along to start any new activity, the doctor may prescribe upper body exercises.  Instead of being on her feet, mom may sit in a chair and move her arms and shoulders, while holding 2 pound weights in each hand.  It may be something as simple as holding a can of vegetables in each hand, outstretching the arms, and rotating the arms in circles.  It is not strenuous, but it gets the body in motion, and will help control gestational diabetes.

Walking is great exercise for the moms that are not restricted from such activity.  After a meal, take a walk around the block.  Enjoy the sunshine or the cool of the evening.  Make it a family outing.  In fact, some moms believe their delivery is easier because they are in the habit of walking every day.

The doctor may also suggest swimming as the recommended form of exercise.  Low impact, it is also cooling and relaxing.  It does not necessarily feel like any type of workout.  Low impact water aerobics may also be a fun way to control sugar levels.

When to Exercise

Generally, people without a metabolic disorder choose when they prefer to exercise.  Some individuals prefer getting up extra early in the morning and working out before a shower and breakfast.  Others opt to exercise in the evenings.  For moms diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor will probably prescribe a specific time of day.

In addition, it will be extremely important to monitor blood sugar before and after working out.  It can be very dangerous to have low sugar count, as well as an abnormally high sugar level.  It is paramount to determine how exercise affects mom as an individual.  Eating habits and insulin shots may have to be adjusted, in order to accommodate the new program for good health.

In short, moms need to help control gestational diabetes with exercise. With the help of medical professionals, an individualized plan will be established.  However, it is essential to monitor blood sugar, in the event that the exercise plan needs to be adjusted.  The workout does not have to be strenuous, in order to be effective.  So, if mom is farther along, and being on her feet is not recommended, the doctor can prescribe upper body exercises to do while sitting in a chair.  The idea is to use up that extra sugar in the blood stream, so that the body does not have to work so hard to process it, if insulin production is way down. As long as the doctor is monitoring the program, do only as requested.  If pain or fatigue becomes a problem, talk to the doctor and have the plan adjusted.  Do not simply give up.  In fact, hopefully the healthy habits will continue even after the baby is born.