A long list of ills accompany premature birth, underweight birth,
and overweight birth; and to that list we can unfortunately add
gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes takes place when a woman's
blood sugar level rises above normal during pregnancy. It can have
far-reaching consequences for both her and her child.
In a study reported in PLoS One, March 2012, scientists at the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark looked at all Danish mothers giving birth between the years 1989 and 2007.
It was found the risk of developing gestational diabetes increased 5 to 7 per cent for each week the mother herself was born prematurely. Those who were born small or large for their birth-age were also at a higher risk for developing the condition.
Pre-eclampsia, a condition in which mothers suffer swollen ankles and high blood pressure during pregnancy, was also more common in women who themselves had been born prematurely.
A normal pregnancy producing an average length and average-sized baby, has always been the goal of mothers and their healthcare providers. As research progresses, we are finding out how healthy a pregnancy is, can affect even the grandchildren. Mothers-to-be need to be extra careful to guard against gestational diabetes if they were small or large for their age at birth or if they were born prematurely.
To prevent gestational diabetes, women who are overweight or obese should normalize their weight before pregnancy. Ideally, it is best to see a family doctor or obstetrician when first contemplating pregnancy, so a plan can be made.
Women with gestational diabetes rarely have signs or symptoms, so seeing a physician early in your pregnancy and keeping appointments is important. Some women with gestational diabetes will experience increased thirst and urination, which should be reported early.
Prevent gestational diabetes and future generations might thank you for it.
In a study reported in PLoS One, March 2012, scientists at the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark looked at all Danish mothers giving birth between the years 1989 and 2007.
It was found the risk of developing gestational diabetes increased 5 to 7 per cent for each week the mother herself was born prematurely. Those who were born small or large for their birth-age were also at a higher risk for developing the condition.
Pre-eclampsia, a condition in which mothers suffer swollen ankles and high blood pressure during pregnancy, was also more common in women who themselves had been born prematurely.
A normal pregnancy producing an average length and average-sized baby, has always been the goal of mothers and their healthcare providers. As research progresses, we are finding out how healthy a pregnancy is, can affect even the grandchildren. Mothers-to-be need to be extra careful to guard against gestational diabetes if they were small or large for their age at birth or if they were born prematurely.
To prevent gestational diabetes, women who are overweight or obese should normalize their weight before pregnancy. Ideally, it is best to see a family doctor or obstetrician when first contemplating pregnancy, so a plan can be made.
- caloric needs during pregnancy only go up slightly, so eating an extra serving or two of fruit per day is all that is needed.
- a diet full of fruits and veggies with dark green, leafy vegetables for their calcium and iron content is good.
- foods high in fat and refined sugars should be avoided.
- for underweight women with a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5, a 28 to 40 pound weight gain is recommended.
- for women of normal weight or a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, the clinic physicians recommend a gain of 25 to 35 pounds.
- overweight women with a BMI of between 25 and 29.2 pounds, should gain 15 to 25 pounds, and
- obese women, with a BMI of 30 or more, need to gain only 11 to 20 pounds.
Women with gestational diabetes rarely have signs or symptoms, so seeing a physician early in your pregnancy and keeping appointments is important. Some women with gestational diabetes will experience increased thirst and urination, which should be reported early.
Prevent gestational diabetes and future generations might thank you for it.
How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can avoid gestational diabetes?
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.
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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.
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