How to Prevent Gestational Diabetes
Pregnancy is a wonderful experience for the majority of women. However, when a medical condition affects the pregnancy, the experience can become frightening. Gestational diabetes is one condition that affects some expectant mothers. This form of diabetes is usually not life threatening, but it can be serious. Preventing the condition requires several important things.
Things You'll Need:
- Glucose tolerance test
- Healthy food
- Water
- Exercise
- See your obstetrician for monthly check-up. Take a blood test to check for glucose levels. Wait for results. If receive positive results, take the prescribed lab form from the doctor. Call the lab and make an appointment for a glucose tolerance test. If negative, leave the office.
- Go to the grocery store and purchase fruit, vegetables, lean meats and low-fat dairy foods. Choose whole grain cereals and snacks. Avoid high-calorie snacks; choose low-calorie snacks instead. Make a meal plan for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Add two snack times.
- Drink 10 cups of water each day. Avoid all types of soda and sugary fruit drinks.
- Check with your doctor for permission to exercise. Complete 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise several times a week if cleared by doctor. Walk around the block or park with a friend or relative. Do not over do it. Stop if you feel any discomfort and call your doctor.
- Buy a yoga for pregnancy video. Use daily to stay fit.
- Keep track of what you eat with a food diary. Make note of times when you did not feel well. Report this to your doctor on your next prenatal visit.