Planning Your Next Pregnancy? Four Steps That Will Help You Reduce Your Risk For Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes can be a real game changer during pregnancy. It can take a pregnancy that's progressing normally and turn it into a high-risk pregnancy with just one blood test result. If you had gestational diabetes with your first pregnancy, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have with the rest of your pregnancies. However, it does increase your risk for it.
Luckily, there are some steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing gestational diabetes in the future. If you're planning on getting pregnant again, here are some things you can do to reduce your risk for gestational diabetes.
Watch Your Weight Before Pregnancy
Being overweight can increase your risk for developing gestational diabetes. However, doctors recommend against trying to lose weight during pregnancy. If you're overweight and you're planning on getting pregnant soon, now's the time to get your weight under control. You don't need to lose every pound that you're worried about; even a 10 to 15 lb weight drop prior to pregnancy will reduce your chances of developing gestational diabetes.
Stay Physically Active
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, meaning you don't get a lot of physical activity, that could cause you problems during your next pregnancy. To help reduce your risk for gestation diabetes, you should try to stay physically active throughout your pregnancy. Add a morning or evening walk to your daily routine. Another way to stay physically active during pregnancy is to enroll in a maternity yoga class. You'll get some much-needed exercise and enjoy some relaxation at the same time.
Change Your Diet
While you're pregnant, it's particularly important that you maintain a healthy diet. Eating healthy food during pregnancy is good for the developing baby and for you. Now that you're planning your next pregnancy, it's a good idea to start changing how you eat. Add more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. It's also a good idea to increase your intake of fiber and lean protein too. By starting on a path of healthful eating now, you can reduce your risk for gestational diabetes during your next pregnancy.
Get Your Lab Work Done
As stated earlier, if you were diagnosed with gestational diabetes during your first pregnancy, you're at increased risk for developing it with your next pregnancy. Once you get pregnant, it's important that you get your lab work done as soon as it's ordered. This will give your obstetrician enough time to prepare a proper treatment plan for you if your tests come back positive for gestational diabetes.
For more information, contact local professionals like those found at Vita Center For Women LLC.