Every year, 2% to 10% of pregnant women in the United States are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but with guidance from a dietitian or diabetes education specialist, it doesn’t have to be a scary, depressing or stressful time.
Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus, or GDM, should see a registered dietitian within one week of their diagnosis for diabetes education and diet counseling.
Initially, they might experience frustration, confusion or fear of eating certain types of foods, such as those containing carbohydrates. The good news is that working with a dietitian or diabetes care and education specialist can take the guesswork out of what to eat.
Most women with well-controlled blood sugars deliver healthy babies without any complications. If you do need medication to treat elevated blood sugars, it’s not a sign that you did something wrong. Each pregnancy is unique, and each mother’s body has its own needs.
The first step in treating gestational diabetes may be to modify the mother’s eating habits to help keep blood sugar levels in the normal range while also providing nutrients needed by both mother and baby.
One way you can do that is by monitoring your meal plan for the amount of carbohydrates, which are the fuel that feeds the body’s cells and provides the nutrients for the baby to grow.
Restricting carbohydrates can lead to an underweight baby and can be harmful to the mother. Fortunately, your dietitian can help you achieve the right balance.
At the first appointment
Your first appointment with the dietitian will be about an hour long. During this time they will:
- Explain the basics of gestational diabetes and the new meal plan (individualized information about when and what to eat).
- Provide a blood glucose testing machine, demonstrate how to use it, discuss when to test blood sugars and how to interpret results.
- Explain diabetes medications (and how to take if prescribed).
- Discuss the risks involved with gestational diabetes, and how to minimize them for both the mother and the baby.
At the follow-up appointment
Your follow-up appointment(s) will last about 30 minutes. During this time, the dietitiam will :
- Answer questions.
- Review the blood sugar log and make suggestions for numbers out of range.
- Review the meal plan and make adjustments if needed.
- Discuss the need for post-pregnancy testing for type 2 diabetes and how to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
A new mother’s journey with gestational diabetes doesn’t have to be scary. Education and support from the dietitian or diabetes care and education specialist will help with the transition of becoming a new mother.
Jennifer C. Gagliano is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at St. Tammany Health System. Learn more about the health system’s diabetes education program at StTammany.health/DiabetesED.