What is gestational diabetes?

Written by Zhao Dan
Orthopedics
Updated on September 27, 2024
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The group of people who were diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy is called gestational concurrent diabetes. Those who were not diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy, but were diagnosed after becoming pregnant, are referred to as having gestational diabetes. Eighty percent of women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, while twenty percent have gestational concurrent diabetes.

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Steps for Gestational Diabetes Testing

The screening steps for gestational diabetes involve, for most women, the recommendation to undergo a 75-gram glucose tolerance test at the hospital between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. The method includes fasting blood draw, consuming 75 grams of glucose, and monitoring blood sugar levels one hour and two hours after glucose intake, to determine the presence of gestational diabetes. However, for pregnant women at high risk for diabetes, it is recommended to complete the 75-gram glucose tolerance test early in pregnancy to detect gestational diabetes early and initiate treatment promptly to reduce the risks to both the fetus and the mother.

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How to treat gestational diabetes?

The treatment principle for gestational diabetes is to control blood sugar and then ensure the normal development of the child. There are many methods to control blood sugar. First, it involves diet management guided by a doctor, adjusting the diet's structure and quantity, followed by post-meal exercise. If after a week of adjusted diet and post-meal exercise, blood sugar levels still do not meet the standards, insulin injections can be used to keep the pregnant woman's blood sugar within the prescribed range. This can help reduce the impact of diabetes on the fetus and the pregnant woman.

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Written by Zhao Dan
Orthopedics
27sec home-news-image

What is gestational diabetes?

The group of people who were diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy is called gestational concurrent diabetes. Those who were not diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy, but were diagnosed after becoming pregnant, are referred to as having gestational diabetes. Eighty percent of women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, while twenty percent have gestational concurrent diabetes.

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home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
52sec home-news-image

Dietary Guidance for Gestational Diabetes

The dietary principles for gestational diabetes are consistent with those for non-pregnant diabetes. Firstly, the total daily caloric intake should be balanced, with carbohydrates accounting for 50%-60%, proteins for 15%-20%, and fats for 20%-30%. The overall principle is to eat smaller, more frequent meals, ideally adding two to three snacks to the three main meals per day. Common foods primarily include milk, proteins, egg whites, and fruits. Then, generally maintain the level of diet before pregnancy without overly restricting it. It is advisable to consume a significant amount of vegetables, no less than 500 grams daily, to supplement vitamins and fiber.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What are the symptoms of a baby born to a mother with gestational diabetes?

During pregnancy, if a pregnant woman suffers from high blood glucose, it can potentially impact the fetus's growth and development. After the baby is born, this may result in a larger size of the fetus, and a decrease in the baby's immune system, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases. If high blood glucose occurs during pregnancy, it is important to control the diet promptly, eat less sugary food, and also control the portion of food. If necessary, medical treatment under the guidance of a doctor can also be conducted to maintain blood glucose at a stable level. If blood glucose is well-controlled during pregnancy, the baby will be just like other healthy babies after birth.