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Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. For most women, the condition will improve following delivery of the baby however for some women, high blood glucose levels remain post partum. It is usually diagnosed around 24 – 28 weeks of gestation when an oral glucose tolerance test is performed and higher than normal blood glucose levels begin to appear. Interestingly, Gestational diabetes is the fastest growing type of diabetes in Australia, affecting thousands of pregnant women. Between 12% and 14% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes. Women who have risk factors for gestational diabetes are usually tested earlier in their pregnancy.

Having gestational diabetes increases the risk of you developing type 2 diabetes later in life. In women with gestational diabetes, maternal hyperglycaemia causes excess fetal insulin. Fetal insulin is a growth hormone for the foetus, and excess amounts of this causes women to deliver large-for-gestational age babies and increases the risk of having a caesarean or instrumental birth.

What causes
gestational diabetes?

The exact cause of gestational diabetes is yet to be defined, however, there are risk factors that have been recognised to contribute to the development of gestational diabetes. These risk factors include:

  • age (>35 years)
  • increasing insulin resistance of pregnancy
  • member of a high-risk population (Aboriginal, Asian, African, South Asian or Hispanic decent)
  • family history of diabetes
  • increased parity
  • metabolic syndrome overweight and
  • obesity

Gestational diabetes should be treated promptly as it is time sensitive. Goals should be individually established, easily measured, and achievable by nutrition intervention. These goals should be established between client and dietitian to ensure adequate nutrient intake.

How can Bites Dietitians help?

Bites Dietitians can help you manage and/or reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes. Each individual case varies, and no two pregnancies are the same. Depending on your individual circumstances, the meal plan may focus on risk reduction i.e. reducing the risk of developing gestational diabetes in high risk populations through dietary prescription. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, management goals would be to ensure blood glucose levels are maintained throughout the pregnancy; maternal weight gain is appropriate and nutrient intake is adequate to support optimal growth and development of your baby. Bites Dietitians can also assist in postnatal healthy eating and lifestyle strategies to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes in future pregnancies as well as reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
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An interesting fact about diet and gestational diabetes

You don’t need to cut out sugar to manage your gestational diabetes! A very common misconception for mums is that a diagnosis of gestational diabetes means restricting foods they love and at a time where morning sickness and pregnancy cravings are high, this can be a really unhelpful belief! You can still eat “sugar” and carbohydrate based foods in a way that helps you to maintain appropriate blood glucose levels and in fact, carbohydrate is a necessary nutrient for foetal development. Please remember that low carbohydrate diets such as the “Keto” diet is contraindicated (considered unsafe) for pregnancy and should not be followed.

How can Bites Exercise Physiologists help?

Physical activity is an important aspect in managing gestational diabetes. Bites exercise Physiologists will be able to create an exercise plan that is specific to your goals and needs and safe for bub and your changing body throughout the trimesters. A mixture of low to moderate intensity aerobic and/or resistance training may be incorporated into your daily routine to help you manage your blood glucose levels. We will also aim to optimise your physical strength and conditioning in a safe way to reduce the aches and pains of pregnancy and help you cope with the physical demands of new motherhood.

An interesting fact about exercise and gestational diabetes:

Physical activity improves your insulin sensitivity which helps to manage blood glucose levels. Maintaining good physical activity throughout your pregnancy also optimises birth outcomes and helps to prepare your body for birthing.

What improvements can you expect from a tailored dietary and exercise prescription?

Following a tailored dietary and exercise prescription you’ll expect to see improved manage blood glucose levels, optimal growth and development of your baby (as important nutrient requirements are met eg folate, calcium, iron, carbohydrate etc), gaining appropriate weight throughout your pregnancy with baby also measuring appropriately for gestational age. You’ll also likely see improvements in overall wellbeing e.g. energy levels. Generally, following a dietary and exercise prescription will mean that you will not need to or rely less on medications such as antihyperglycemic agents (eg. metformin) and/or insulin to help manage your blood glucose levels throughout your pregnancy. Managing gestational diabetes during and maintaining a healthy eating and lifestyle regime after pregnancy will lower the risk of developing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies.
Here’s A Gestational Diabetes Friendly Recipe
That You Might Like To Try
CHECK OUT OUR FREE RECIPES

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