Nhs Highland Gestational Diabetes
Nhs Highland Gestational Diabetes
Nhs Highland Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes
Finding out that you have gestational
diabetes can be a worrying time for any
parent but there is information, help and
support for you and your baby.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a condition that can develop at any stage in your
pregnancy but usually the 2nd and 3rd trimester, when some of the
pregnancy hormones affect the way that insulin works in your body. Insulin
is the hormone which helps control your blood glucose. Gestational
diabetes causes glucose (blood sugars) to increase in your blood but this
usually returns to normal after you give birth.
The main thing is that gestational diabetes can be managed very well with
diet and sometimes medication such as tablets or taking insulin. You will
be supported by your midwife and receive more specialist advice from the
diabetes team. They can offer advice around food choices to manage your
blood glucose in a way that fits best for you.
What do I do next?
You can develop gestational diabetes for different reasons. Some people
have predisposing risk factors before they were pregnant, which means that
they were always more at risk than other people at developing gestational
diabetes. For some, it can feel like it has come out of the blue. Be kind to
yourself like you would be to a friend if they received the same diagnosis.
What might you say or do? How might you be with them? We are all worthy
of the same care and compassion.
The Diabetic Team will be in contact shortly for further information and
advice.
Is my baby at risk?
Now that we know you have gestational diabetes, you can be monitored
more closely to manage any potential risks and support you through
pregnancy. You will continue to see your community midwife for all your
routine appointments. You will be offered extra scans to measure the growth
of your baby.
If you’re required to start medication to manage your blood sugars, you will
be invited to a special diabetic clinic at Raigmore Hospital where you will see
a consultant and specialist nurse, who are part of the diabetes team. You will
also have contact from a dietitian, usually by telephone. These appointments
are important as they will be able to monitor you and your baby closely and
answer any questions you may have relating to gestational diabetes.
It is important to contact a midwife or the maternity unit if you have
concerns about yourself or your baby at any time during your pregnancy and
let them know that you have gestational diabetes.
What about food and eating in pregnancy?
A healthy balanced diet is important but nourishment for self-care is about
more than just what we eat. Most people know what foods are needed to
stay physically healthy, however what you eat and when you eat can also
make a big difference to how you feel.
Improving your diet may help you to cope, by:
• Improving your mood
• Giving you energy
• Thinking more clearly
Think about the changes that you can make, and sustain, and notice how it
makes you feel. Some of the options might be:
• Improving what you eat:
– Plenty of fruit and vegetables
– Including oily fish, nuts and seeds
– Trying more fibre foods – wholemeal bread, oats, peas, beans and
lentils, high fibre breakfast cereals
• Improving how you eat:
– Eating when you’re physically hungry
– Stopping when you’re full
– Recognising when you’re eating because of how you feel
– Having options to improve how you feel emotionally
• Doing regular physical activity:
– Becoming more active can seem a daunting task if you’ve not enjoyed
it in the past. Taking small steps to find enjoyable ways of moving,
stretching and relaxing your body will help build a sense of vitality. Too
often the missing ingredient in active living is fun! What activity do you
feel better in yourself for doing? Do you want time alone or as part of
a group? What makes activity fun for you? Look for something that will
work for you.
• Other things:
– Larger people are often stereotyped as not bothering about their health
and given other negative characteristics. Everybody deserves respect,
whatever their size, shape, fitness level, health status, eating patterns,
etc. Learning to look after yourself and protect yourself against these
stereotypes may be difficult, but is important.
Let’s look at this in a bit more detail...
A variety of nutritional food is essential for you and your growing baby.
Dieting in pregnancy is not recommended. Eating this way will also benefit
your mood and give you more energy.
Protein
Only a small amount of our plate needs to have high protein foods, e.g.
beans, nuts, cheese, fish and meat. This is shown as the smallest group.
Protein is needed for growth, repair and many other functions of the
body. When pregnant you should avoid raw or uncooked meats, liver/liver
products, pate and game meat.
www.thinkhealththinknature.scot/downloadable-activities-2/
It can be difficult to be more active as you go through your pregnancy. It is
important to stay active and find an activity that is realistic for you. Some
activity is better than no activity.
During this time there can be a lot of added stress. This can have an impact
on blood glucose levels. It is important to find ways of reducing stress that
feel right for you. We feel better when we do things we enjoy.
How will I deliver my baby and will this affect my birth choices?
Everyone is different therefore this question would be best discussed with
your midwife or consultant who knows your medical background well. It is
important that you continue to share your birth choices with your midwife
and the diabetic specialist team so they can advise and support you in your
choices.
If you are diet controlled then your labour will progress as normal. If you
need insulin during pregnancy your care will be discussed individually with
the medical team.
Diabetes UK
www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/gestational-diabetes
NHS
www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes/
Content sources and references
Highland Food Guide (NHS Highland)
BDA Gestational Diabetes
Health Weight in Pregnancy (NHS Highland)
NHS Highland Gestational Diabetes Theraputic Guidelines