As many as 10 percent of expectant moms develop high blood sugar, a condition known as gestational diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy.
If your doctor finds that your blood sugar levels are elevated, you may be diagnosed with gestational diabetes – even if you have never had diabetes before. When detected early, it can be controlled to help prevent health complications for you and your baby.
You can manage gestational diabetes with a healthy diet, eating on a regular schedule, daily exercise, monitoring glucose levels and with medication, if necessary.
Are you at risk?
You may be more likely to develop gestational diabetes if:
- Your family has a history of diabetes.
- You had a previous birth of a very large baby or a stillbirth.
- You are overweight.
- You had a previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes.
- You are older than 25 years.
WakeMed Pregnancy and Diabetes Program – Now offered at WakeMed North Family Health & Women’s Hospital
The WakeMed Pregnancy and Diabetes Program is a great resource for women who have developed diabetes at any stage of pregnancy – or who have diabetes prior to conception. The program offers education and support to help mothers-to-be manage diabetes for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Our dedicated nurses and dietitians partner with you and your physician to help monitor glucose levels and plan meals for the rest of your pregnancy. The program includes an assessment, nutritional counseling and individualized meal plans as well as post-partum care to help reduce your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
The program is also offered at WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed Cary Hospital. Learn more about our program.
You must be logged in to post a comment.