Pregnant Woman Dealing with Gestational Diabetes Special

Gestational diabetes is a pregnancy related condition. Gestational diabetes can be a frightening condition. In this article Sarah Leigh is interviewed and talks about her experiences with gestational diabetes.

One month ago, Sarah Leigh was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Current statistics show that about 7 percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes in pregnancy. When Sarah Leigh was told that she had gestational diabetes she felt frightened for her baby's safety and also her own. Consultants told her that she was at higher risk of still birth and that her pregnancy was now classed as high risk. Due to risks to the baby and mother, a person with gestational diabetes has to be admitted into hospital at 38 weeks pregnant and either induced or given a Caesarian Section. Not only was this an extremely frightening situation, but it would also mean that Sarah Leigh would have to make changes in her day to day lifestyle. Sarah Leigh had to check her blood sugar levels up to six times a day and would have to make dietary changes. The sugary sweets that Sarah Leigh used to enjoy would now have to be cut out all together, there would be no chocolate and even fruit had to be eaten in moderation. Although Sarah Leigh made the changes to her diet her bloods were still high and she had to be put on medication to control the diabetes. The medication prescribed was called Metformin and since that time Sarah has said that her blood sugar levels have levelled out and are now a lot lower. The other problem with high sugar levels is that they can pass to the baby making the baby a lot bigger. In many cases as long as blood sugars are controlled then the risks to baby and mother are a lot lower. Though gestational diabetes usually disappears when the baby is born it does leave the mother more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Therefore reducing the intake of sugary foods, eating healthier, exercising regularly, breastfeeding, avoiding smoking and alcohol can all help lower the risks of developing diabetes type 2 later in life. Sarah Leigh says, “Even though I felt deprived of all my favourite foods at first, I now feel a lot healthier and even though I am 33 weeks pregnant I have lost some weight. I enjoy my new lifestyle and eating a wide variety of foods. As long as I eat in moderation then my blood sugars remain balanced. There are times when I wish I could have a chocolate bar, but I know that I am better without it and so is my baby. If anyone thinks that they might have gestational diabetes it is better to go to your doctor because it is treatable and the sooner it is treated the better for you and your child.”