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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffThere are no guarantees when it comes to preventing gestational diabetes — but the more healthy habits you can adopt before pregnancy, the better. If you've had gestational diabetes, these healthy choices may also reduce your risk of having it again in future pregnancies or developing type 2 diabetes down the road.
- Eat healthy foods. Choose foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without compromising taste or nutrition.
- Keep active. Exercising before and during pregnancy can help protect you against developing gestational diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of your week. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike. Swim laps. If you can't fit a single 30-minute workout into your busy day, several shorter sessions can do just as much good. Park in the distant lot when you run errands. Get off the bus one stop before you reach your destination. Every step you take increases your chances of staying healthy.
- Lose excess pounds before pregnancy. Doctors don't recommend weight loss during pregnancy — your body is already working overtime to support your baby's development. But if you're planning to get pregnant, losing extra weight beforehand may help you have a healthier pregnancy. Focus on permanent changes to your eating habits. Motivate yourself by remembering the long-term benefits of losing weight, such as a healthier heart, more energy and improved self-esteem.
References
- Cunningham FG, et al. Diabetes. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=46. Accessed Dec. 27, 2010.
- Strehlow SL, et al. Diabetes mellitus & pregnancy. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=9. Accessed Dec. 27, 2010.
- Reece EA, et al. Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://www.danforthsobgyn.com. Accessed Dec. 27, 2010.
- Caughey AB. Obstetrical management of pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 27, 2010.
- Jovanovic L. Treatment and course of gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 27, 2010.
- Jovanovic L. Screening and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus during pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 27, 2010.
- Paglia MJ, et al. Gestational diabetes: Evolving diagnostic criteria. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In press. http://journals.lww.com/co-obgyn/Abstract/publishahead/Gestational_diabetes__evolving_diagnostic_criteria.99838.aspx. Accessed Feb.1, 2011.
- Kim C. Gestational diabetes: Risks, management, and treatment options. International Journal of Women's Health. 2010;2:339.
- Blatt AJ, et al. Gaps in diabetes screening during pregnancy and postpartum. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011;117:161.
- HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group. Hyperglycemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358:1991.
- Metzger BE, et al. International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Recommendations on the Diagnosis and Classification of Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:676.
- Manning FA. The fetal biophysical profile. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 31, 2010.
- Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(suppl):11.
- Health care guideline: Routine prenatal Care. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2010. http://www.icsi.org/prenatal_care_4/prenatal_care__routine__full_version__2.htm. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin. Clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists. Number 30, September 2001 (replaces Technical Bulletin Number 200, December 1994). Gestational diabetes. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2001;98:525.
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