How to treat gestational diabetes?

Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
Updated on December 08, 2024
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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 Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can you eat oranges if you have gestational diabetes?

Pregnant women with gestational diabetes can eat oranges, but they should limit the quantity. Since oranges are high in sugar, they should not be consumed in large amounts. In fact, just like mothers with diabetes or those who are pregnant, they need nutrients such as calories, protein, calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamin B, etc. However, attention should be paid to meal frequency. Under a constant total caloric intake, it is advisable to eat small and frequent meals, focusing on the quality and quantity of the diet to maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is necessary to limit the quantity of fruit consumed and avoid fruits that are high in sugar as they should not be consumed in large amounts. Therefore, pregnant women with gestational diabetes can eat oranges, but should not consume them in large quantities and should maintain proper portion control.

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Written by Chen Li Ping
Endocrinology
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Will gestational diabetes get better?

Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy and is a distinct type of diabetes. Many women with gestational diabetes may see their blood sugar levels return to normal after delivery as insulin resistance diminishes. It is recommended to conduct an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) screening six weeks after childbirth, as the majority of women with gestational diabetes will have normal fasting blood glucose or OGTT values at six weeks postpartum. Approximately 25% to 70% of women with gestational diabetes may develop diabetes again within 16 to 25 years after delivery. Therefore, it is essential to continue monitoring the patient's blood glucose postpartum and to screen early for diabetes.

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Written by Chen Kai
Endocrinology
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How to control diet in gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels found during pregnancy in individuals who did not previously have diabetes. Overall, dietary control for gestational diabetes is similar to that for typical diabetes patients. It involves avoiding high-calorie, high-sugar, and fried foods. It is advisable to consume more fruits and vegetables, as well as foods with a lower glycemic index. Increasing the intake of whole grains and mixed grains is recommended, while nuts such as peanuts and sunflower seeds should be limited. Foods should be steamed rather than boiled, and fried foods must be strictly avoided.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
1min 1sec home-news-image

How to self-test for gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to conditions where there was no diabetes before pregnancy, and during the course of the pregnancy, specifically between the 24th to 28th weeks, a standard glucose tolerance test is conducted to screen for glucose metabolism. The specific procedure involves not eating after 8 p.m. the night before, though drinking water is allowed, followed by fasting for more than ten hours. The first blood sample is taken on an empty stomach. Then, 75 grams of anhydrous glucose, as prescribed by the doctor, is dissolved in 250 to 350 milliliters of water and consumed within 3 to 5 minutes. Starting from the first sip of this glucose solution, blood samples are taken again one hour and two hours later. The results from these three blood samples are used to determine the possibility of gestational diabetes.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
1min 10sec home-news-image

How to control gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to the onset of diabetes during pregnancy, or the first detection of varying degrees of hyperglycemia, including glucose intolerance and diabetes that were not identified before pregnancy. The risks of gestational diabetes are more severe in patients with serious conditions or poor blood sugar control, as it can easily lead to miscarriage and preterm birth, infections, and in severe cases, ketoacidosis. So, how can gestational diabetes be controlled? It can be managed through dietary control and insulin treatment. Dietary control is crucial; the ideal dietary management aims to ensure and meet the caloric and nutritional needs during pregnancy while preventing hyperglycemia or ketosis due to starvation, ensuring normal fetal growth and development. For cases where dietary management is insufficient to control diabetes, insulin is the primary medication. (Please seek professional medical guidance before using any medication, and do not self-medicate.)