The topic of this blog is Gestational Diabetes (GDM). According to recent statistics, GDM has doubled from 1997 to 2005. Women of color (Hispanic, Black and Asian) are two to four times likely than Caucasian women to develop gestation diabetes. However, the rate is still increasing for White women. Overweight women who wait until after 25 to start bearing children are at increased risk of getting diabetes while they are pregnant. Every pregnant woman should be screened for GDM 24 to 28 weeks into their pregnancy and women with a family history of diabetes should be screened as soon as they find out they are pregnant. Here are some simple guidelines to follow if you have GDM, however you still need to follow your doctor's advice:

1. Women with GDM need to keep their Hemoglobin A1C below 7%. An A1C greater than 7% increases the chance of birth defects by 14%.

2. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), women with GDM fasting blood glucose should be less than 90mg/dl and less than 110mg/dl two hours after their meals.

3. Drink plenty of water, caffeine-free and sugar-free beverages each day. Pregnant women need to avoid alcohol.

4. Artificial sweeteners such as Equal and Splenda can be used in low amounts. On the contrary, Sweet and Low and any sweetener containing saccharin is not recommended for pregnant women.

5. Avoid eating Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.

6. Eat 6 small meals a day and space your meals evenly. Do not go more than 10 hours between your bedtime snack and breakfast.

7. At breakfast, make sure you eat no more than 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates. Women with GDM have the highest blood sugar in the morning because of their hormones.

8. Your bedtime snack should contain 7 grams of protein and 12 to 30 grams of carbohydrates.


9. Do not forget to exercise and take your diabetes medications. Diet alone will not be enough to control diabetes for most women with GDM.

Please contact me at askard@stablebloodsugar.com if you have any questions about GDM or any of my blogs. Allison