Gestational diabetes and nutrition for gestational diabetes

The article was written by MSc Nguyen Nhu Thu Truc - Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital

What is diabetes in pregnancy? It is a disorder of sugar metabolism in the body during pregnancy. It is usually detected as early as the 4th month of pregnancy and usually clears up 6 months after birth.

Mother's age >=35 Mothers from high-risk ethnic groups (Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian and African) Obese mothers (BMI>=25kg/m2) Mothers who have had a large baby >= 4kg Mothers on corticosteroids Mother with a previous diagnosis of prediabetes Mother with gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies Having a parent, sibling with type 2 diabetes Mother with polycystic ovary syndrome

Oral glucose tolerance testing is recommended routinely in pregnant women at 24-28 weeks gestation; earlier at 16 weeks in high-risk pregnant women such as a history of giving birth over 4kg, obese mothers, and mothers with diabetes in a previous pregnancy.

Diagnosis is based on fasting glucose (>5.1 mmol/L), 1 hour after oral glucose intake (>10 mmol/L) and 2 hours after oral glucose intake (> 8.5 mmol/L).
If fasting blood glucose > 7.0mmol/L, the pregnant woman has clinical diabetes. At the same time, if one or more of the parameters in Table 2 is greater than the above value, it is gestational diabetes. In normal pregnant women, all three parameters are smaller than the above values.

For mother:
Easy to get chronic diabetes after giving birth Suture infection, long-healing suture/operative wound, nephritis, pyelonephritis, postpartum hemorrhage If not treated and controlled well blood sugar , gestational diabetes also has complications like diabetes: coronary heart disease leading to heart attack and stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, coma due to too high blood sugar... Baby:
Miscarriage, stillbirth or sudden fetal death in the womb Fetal malformations, neurological and muscular birth defects... Babies born with a large weight are prone to trauma such as fractures, dislocations .. Hypoglycemia, respiratory failure, low calcium right after birth High risk of diabetes due to genetics

Gestational diabetes can be controlled with diet. Here are some tips for pregnant women with gestational diabetes or blood sugar disorders:

Should eat many meals a day, each meal is not too full, so as not to increase blood sugar too much after eating and lower blood sugar too quickly when away from meals. Eat 3 main meals with 1-2 snacks. Should eat lean meat, lean fish, tofu, yogurt, fat-free milk, milk without sugar. Should eat foods that cause low blood sugar such as: brown rice, beans, vegetables (vegetables, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots...), low-sweet fruits (grapefruit, peaches, apples, oranges, pears) , mango...). Prioritize cooking food by steaming, boiling.

Reduce eating foods that cause hyperglycemia such as candy, sweet fruits (jackfruit, durian ..), ice cream, tea ... Reduce salty and processed foods containing a lot of salt to prevent hypertension Pressure: fast food, dry food, cold meat, all kinds of fish sauce, instant noodles, canned food ... Reduce eating fatty foods that cause hyperlipidemia such as: skin, egg yolk, animal viscera, food fried food. Reduce drinking alcohol, soft drinks, coffee, tea, sweet fruit juices. No smoking. Do not skip meals: Skipping meals, the body will not absorb sugar to convert into energy for the body. Which uses the amount of sugar available in the blood, causing hypoglycemia, fatigue. Skipping meals also causes a sudden spike in blood sugar after a subsequent intake of food.

Breakfast: Beef noodle soup, chicken vermicelli, fish vermicelli, sweet potato, boiled corn, pork porridge, whole grain cereal, brown bread + egg. Lunch and dinner: brown rice, pumpkin pork soup, vegetable soup, vegetable soup, Braised meat with eggs, tofu packed with meat, stewed chicken, steamed fish,... Snacks and desserts: oatmeal + unsweetened milk, nuts, beans, yogurt, cashews, chia seed crackers, salad, low-sugar fruit (pear, red dragon fruit, avocado, kiwi, guava, apple, strawberry...)

Combining a daily diet menu for pregnant women with diabetes with regular exercise every day helps control blood sugar, control weight, and helps pregnant women prepare well for the upcoming birth. Easy and healthy for mother and child. Pregnant women with diabetes should consult a doctor, what kind of exercise is suitable for their body:
Walking: Good for the cardiovascular system, the uterus contracts faster and easier. Burn calories, control your weight well, keep your body healthy, reduce the risk of gestational diabetes complications such as pre-eclampsia,... Swimming: Helps burn excess energy, helps prevent pre-eclampsia and good control of diabetes. Swimming during pregnancy also helps relieve headaches, and the baby's nervous system develops healthy. Yoga: Practicing yoga helps the body to be flexible, control weight, practice breathing evenly. Dancing: Helps pregnant women have a happy and comfortable spirit. Reduce the risk of diabetes for pregnant women.

Inject INSULIN if necessary
When diet and physical activity are not enough to regulate blood sugar levels, your doctor will recommend you to inject insulin for treatment throughout pregnancy. Insulin will lower your blood sugar and help ensure the good health of your baby. During your treatment, you will receive advice and support throughout your pregnancy by our team of doctors and nurses. However, the person who takes care of your health best is yourself. You need to be properly and fully aware of the importance of gestational diabetes, and well adhere to your treatment regimen. Note:
After giving birth, it is very important to screen for your risk of type 2 diabetes: You need to see a doctor
After giving birth 6 weeks to 6 months Before the next pregnancy Every 3 years or closer depending on risk factors. Please build a daily menu for pregnant women with diabetes carefully, with adequate nutrition for both pregnant women and fetuses while still keeping diabetes well under control. When gestational diabetes is well controlled, you no longer have to worry about complications that may affect the health of mother and baby.
Maternity package program at Vinmec International General Hospital helps customers complete the antenatal check-ups and necessary tests during pregnancy, including screening tests for gestational diabetes. Customers registered for Maternity Package are fully cared for and checked for health of mother and baby before birth - during childbirth and after birth, fully and conscientiously.