Gestational Diabetes ~ What Is This??

I am now into my 30th week in pregnancy and during my last gynae appointment, I was told that my sugar content was on the 'high' level, also known as Gestational Diabetes.

During the previous OGTT test, I was on the borderlined mark. I thought I have controlled my diet but the test today showed otherwise. ~sigh~

What exactly is Gestational Diabetes, why do I have it and what should I do?
Gestational diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that are discovered during pregnancy. Research shows that 3%-5% of all pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is the result of some hormonal changes that occur in all women during pregnancy. Increased levels of certain hormones made in the placenta (the organ that connects the baby by the umbilical cord to the uterus and transfers nutrients from the mother to the baby) interfere with the ability of insulin to manage glucose. This condition is called "insulin resistance." As the placenta grows larger during pregnancy, it produces more hormones and increases this insulin resistance.

Usually the mother's pancreas is able to produce more insulin (about three times the normal amount) to overcome the insulin resistance. If, however, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to overcome the effect of the increased hormones during pregnancy, sugar levels will rise, resulting in gestational diabetes.

Who is at Risk to Gestational Diabetes?

• Being Overweight prior to becoming pregnancy
• A family history of diabetes (so i fall into this category: grandpa and mom has got diabetes)
• Having gestational diabetes in previous pregnancy
• Above 25 years of age
• Previously giving birth to a baby over 9pounds
• Having too much amniotic acid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amniotic_fluid)

Gestational Diabetes is diagnosed by undergoing the OGTT test which involves drinking a sweetened liquid, which contains 50g of glucose. The body absorbs this glucose rapidly, causing blood sugar levels to rise within 30-60 minutes. A blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm about 30 minutes after drinking the solution. The blood test measures how the glucose solution was metabolized (processed by the body).

If the test results are not normal, you will have a similar type of diabetes test that requires you to fast (not eat anything) before the test. If this second test yields abnormal results, you have gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is managed by:
> Monitoring blood sugar levels
> Following specific dietary
> Exercising
> Monitoring weight gain
> Taking insulin, to lower blood sugar

Suggested Diet: > Eat three small meals and two or three snacks at regular times every day. > Eat less carbohydrate at breakfast because this is when insulin resistance is the greatest.
> Try to eat a consistent amount of carbohydrate during each meal and snack.
> Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day and avoid fatty, fried and greasy foods. >Choose foods high in fiber such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables.
> Eat foods with less sugar and fat.
> Drink at least 8 cups (or 64 ounces) of liquids per day.

Possible Complications of Gestational Diabetes?
Labor and delivery are generally not affected by gestational diabetes. However, if the baby has grown too large, a cesarean delivery may be necessary.

Hey MTBs, those of us who have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, let's stay positive, start our diet regime and try to maintain our condition; for our baby's sake, for our own sake!

Other than cutting down on carbohydrates, such as rice, potatoes, noodles and high sugar content food, anyone has got a 'good' diet to share??