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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

It's not easy to live with a condition that can affect your baby's health. And worrying about your baby can make it harder to take care of yourself. You may find yourself eating the wrong foods or forgetting to exercise. Prolonged stress can even cause your blood sugar level to rise.

You'll probably feel better if you learn as much as you can about gestational diabetes. Talk to your health care provider. Read books and articles about gestational diabetes. Join a support group for women who have gestational diabetes. The more you know, the more control you'll feel.

Above all, remember that the very steps that will help control your blood sugar level — such as eating healthy foods and exercising regularly — can help relieve stress and nourish your baby. These activities can also help prevent type 2 diabetes in the future. That makes exercise and good nutrition powerful tools for a healthy pregnancy as well as a healthy life.

References
  1. Strehlow SL, et al. Diabetes mellitus & pregnancy. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2385290. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  2. Jovanovic L. Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  3. Jovanovic L. Treatment and course of gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  4. Diabetes. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2005:1172.
  5. Cheng YV, et al. Gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes mellitus. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;112:1015.
  6. Gestational diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  7. Gilmartin AH, et al. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;1:129. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=19015764. Accessed Jan. 3, 2009.

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March 28, 2009

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