Gestational Diabetes

Just Maybe

For many expectant moms, changing eating habits and burning off excess sugar with activity is enough.  For example, since blood sugar levels tend to be higher in the morning, breakfast will be light and without fruits or juices.

Exercise is also an important part of every day.  For at least 30 minutes, or two 15 minute sessions, it may simply mean doing upper body exercises or taking a nice walk after a meal.  For moms with other small children at home, childcare and housework might be all it takes to help keep blood sugar levels under control.  But, with proper diet and exercise, just maybe mom will not need insulin shots.

Insulin Injections

The thought of self-medicating with insulin injections is pretty scary at first.  What if there is an air bubble in the syringe?  What if it is done wrong?  It is going to hurt?  Is the amount of insulin in the shot correct?  With so many questions and unknowns, it is perfectly natural to be apprehensive and worried.

However, the doctor and other health care providers will make sure mom understands exactly what to do and when, before she leaves to go home.  Even children with diabetes learn how to regulate their insulin. In no time at all, it will simply become habit to monitor blood sugar and self-medicate as required.

No Needles

For patients with a phobia against needles, it might be necessary to come up with an alternate method of providing insulin for the body.  A few people simply cannot bear to give themselves shots.  Unless another family member or friend is around all of the time, and willing to take on the responsibility, something else must be done.

Unfortunately, the health care team is not available every time mom will likely need a boost of insulin.  However, there are shots that work on air pressure rather than needles.  It is basically a pump syringe.  When mom puts it next the skin, the device forces it beneath the epidermis. Painless and with no needles, women with gestational diabetes are able to self-medicate.

No Pills

In researching diabetes medication, mom-to-be may have read that some people simply have to take an insulin pill each day.  How simple it will be to add a pill to the prenatal vitamin every morning.  Unfortunately, women that are pregnant should not take the insulin pill, even if they already had diabetes and have been used to it in the past.

Oral medications hit the stomach and are digested and absorbed similar to food.  Under normal circumstances, it is not a problem.  However, during gestation, everything mom swallows is shared with her baby. Just as mom should no longer have an alcoholic beverage, oral diabetic medication can go straight to the baby.  Too much of the medicine can enter the bloodstream of the infant and blood sugar levels will drop dangerously low.  The treatment may be easier, but the potential diabetic complications are simply too great to take a chance.

Worth It

Yes.  Changing dietary habits, exercising, and self-medicating with insulin can be a pain especially for those that are not used to the effort.  It is one more thing to remember, when expectant parents already have so many other concerns that involve the addition of a little person to the family.

Nevertheless, doing as the doctor prescribes, without delay, is well worth it.  Care for a baby begins long before he/she enters the world and the umbilical cord is cut. Babies are not shelved and taken down when mom and dad want a cuddle or someone with which to play. Being a parent is full of sacrifices.  But, the goal is always to raise a happy and healthy child that will grow up to be a productive member of society. 

Mom should always be concerned about what they ingest when they are pregnant or nursing.  Any good mother will do anything to prevent harm from visiting her children.  A baby in the womb is no exception.

Following prescribed care for gestational diabetes, including the insulin shots, is necessary to prevent birth defects, potentially deadly complications for both mom and baby, and difficulties during the birth and immediately after separation from mom.  In fact, it is important to continue following these same healthy habits for a lifetime to reduce mom’s chances of being diagnosed with Type II diabetes later in life. 

So, follow the new meals plans to the letter, exercise to burn off the excess sugars, grin and bear those insulin shots, and be rewarded with a healthy baby and a healthier mom.