Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year. Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy; hormones produced by the placenta are blocking the use of the insulin. When insulin is not used correctly glucose cannot leave the blood and builds up to create high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Hyperglycemia allows sugar to spill into the urine and does not allow the body to get enough energy. Treatment for gestational diabetes includes a special meal plan and scheduled physical activity. 1. Make healthy food choices Healthy eating habits can go a long way in controlling diabetes and other health problems. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day with a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, dairy, lean meats, and complex carbohydrates. Include 2-3 small snacks like fresh fruit, half of a sandwich, or yogurt. Drink water or non calorie fluids throughout the day, avoid sugary drinks. Healthy eating habits can go a long way in controlling diabetes and other health problems. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day with a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, dairy, lean meats, and complex carbohydrates. Include 2-3 small snacks like fresh fruit, half of a sandwich, or yogurt. Drink water or non calorie fluids throughout the day, avoid sugary drinks.2. Exercise Regular exercise allows your body to use glucose without extra insulin. This helps combat insulin resistance and is what makes exercise helpful to people with diabetes. Never start an exercise program without checking with your doctor first. Regular exercise allows your body to use glucose without extra insulin. This helps combat insulin resistance and is what makes exercise helpful to people with diabetes. Never start an exercise program without checking with your doctor first.3. Control Weight Gain It is typically recommended for a normal weight pregnant woman to gain 25-35 pounds during their pregnancy. Making nutritious meal choices and exercising can help control weight. It is typically recommended for a normal weight pregnant woman to gain 25-35 pounds during their pregnancy. Making nutritious meal choices and exercising can help control weight.While gestational diabetes is a cause for concern, the good news is that you and your health care team - your doctor, obstetrician, nurse educator, and dietitian - work together to lower your high blood glucose levels. With this help, you can turn your concern into a healthy pregnancy for you, and a healthy start for your baby. Gestational diabetes goes away once the baby and placenta are delivered. Once you’ve had gestational diabetes you are at and increased risk for getting it with another pregnancy or getting Type 2 diabetes. Eating well, staying fit, and exercising can help reduce this risk. If you would like more information on this diet, ask your doctor to refer you to an MUSC Outpatient Dietitian. Call MUSC Outpatient Scheduling at 843-876-0888. | 
