Pregnancy is a remarkable journey in a woman’s life. Though the experience can vary from person to person it comes with its fair share of challenges. 

It is not only about changing your eating habits and dealing with the episodes of morning sickness. Pregnancy changes how your body works. Many women experience high blood sugar levels during pregnancy which is known as gestational pregnancy. The condition usually gets better after delivering the baby. But dealing with fluctuating sugar levels during pregnancy can be a terrible experience. 

Gestational Diabetes 

I remember when my cousin was pregnant she went through a glucose challenge test (GCT) and a series of tests that diagnosed her with gestational diabetes. GCT test price revealed that this is a quite affordable test that is performed in routine. You can go for the test if you suspect that you are suffering from gestational diabetes.

Here are the signs of gestational diabetes that you might need to know about. These include:

• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Vision changes
• Increased thirst
• Nausea and vomiting

All of these signs are general for many pregnant women so a blood test can confirm the presence of the condition. The condition is more likely to affect overweight or obese women who are unable to make enough insulin to control their blood sugar levels. But don’t worry, you can control gestational diabetes with small tips. 

However, if you a diagnosed with a gestational diabetes, no need to panic. You are not alone. As per stats, about 10 women in US every year are diagnosed with the gestational diabetes. 

Whether you suffer from diabetes before getting pregnant or you have developed gestational diabetes during the pregnancy, the key factor is that you need to maintain your condition by keeping your blood glucose level in check.

Curious what you can do? Read below to help yourself. 

Tips to Control Gestational Diabetes 

Here are some of the things that you can do to control your blood sugar levels naturally. These include;

1- Keep an Eye on Carbs Intake

Sugar and carb consumption is directly related. The more carbs you consume in your routine the more sugar your body has to process. This adds stress to your body system and when there is not enough insulin in your body it increases sugar levels in your blood. 

So, it is important to keep an eye on your carbs intake. No matter how much you crave cakes or muffins, make sure to control them. You can go for alternative carb sources that are complex carbs and don’t spike your blood sugar level. So, being carb-wise can help you to control your blood glucose levels.

2- Walk 10000 Steps a Day

The sugar you intake via your take directly contributes to your sugar level in your body. The way your body processes it determines your blood glucose level. To improve the processing of sugar level in your body you need to stay physically active and fit. Though many people say that pregnant females shouldn’t work out or stay physically active, this is ultimately better for both maternal and fetal health. 

Walking is advisable for pregnant females unless they are advised to be on bed rest due to some pregnancy complications. If your pregnancy is healthy, then make sure to walk at least 10k steps in a day to improve the way your body processes the sugars, told a medical specialist in Rawalpindi when we visited him for my cousin’s treatment.

You might have heard that myth that pregnant women shouldn’t walk much, but science has something else to say. Infect, walking can do wonders. So, in this case, pregnant women needs to do a moderate walk of 20-30 minutes to keep themselves fit and healthy.

3- Don’t Put on Too Much Weight

Only women who have excessive body weight before pregnancy don’t need to develop gestational diabetes. The phenomenon is pretty common in females who eat too much in pregnancy and end up with obesity. Only your physician based on your pre-pregnancy weight can tell you how much weight you are allowed to put on during pregnancy. For this reason, make sure to keep an eye on your body weight. 

Stop eating everything in the name of craving or if you feel hungry all the time go for the foods and nutrients that keep you full for longer times and don’t add to your body weight. 

4- Keep an Eye on Blood Level

No matter how much you try, try to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. Frequently check your blood sugar level even if you are feeling completely normal. You can check your sugar 4 times a day. e., before breakfast and after three of your meals. Maintain track of your blood glucose level in a journal and enter all the information about your eating habits, changes in sugar level and all the activities. 

If you have trouble in keeping the record of your blood sugar level, you can keep a journal. Yes, it is very effective method for your health. Not only you keep a track of your diet but your overall health. Such journals include your information about the diet, sleeping schedule, exercise, so that you can determine how your daily life activities and certain food are affecting your health.

5- Stick to Your Treatment Plan

Make sure to consult your doctor about your condition and keep him updated about your treatment progress. Try to stick to your treatment plan and make sure to follow all the instructions given by the doctor if you want to keep yourself and your baby healthy. Your treatment plan not only takes in the medications or physical activity pattern but also takes in your dietary choices as well. 

Bottom Line!

Gestational diabetes is a common phenomenon in pregnancy but the condition usually reverts on its own. In women who are overweight or obese, there is a chance that the condition can turn into type 2 diabetes. No matter what, taking the right care of your health can save you from the side effects.