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Taking Control of Gestational Diabetes: Essential Tips for Expectant Moms
Finding out you have gestational diabetes can feel overwhelming. At Desert Perinatal Associates, Dr. Joseph Adashek and our dedicated team help moms navigate this condition every day, providing specialized care for high-risk pregnancies across Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, which means it’s a great time to share essential guidance to help you navigate this condition with confidence. With the right support, you can safely manage your blood sugar and protect your baby.
How does gestational diabetes affect your body?
Many moms worry that gestational diabetes is a personal failure. In reality, it is driven entirely by your placenta. As your baby grows, the placenta releases hormones that naturally make your body more resistant to insulin.
Sometimes, your pancreas simply cannot keep up with this hormonal shift. While many patients can manage their blood sugar with lifestyle changes alone, needing extra medical help is normal—not a failure of willpower. Our team is here to help you understand these changes without any judgment.
What are the best ways to manage your blood sugar?
Managing your blood sugar is about balance, not restriction. We offer personalized diabetes counseling to help you build a safe, sustainable routine.
Here are a few key strategies to help keep your levels steady:
Balance your carbohydrates
The American Diabetes Association recommends eating an adequate amount of carbohydrates daily to support your baby's growth. Combining carbohydrates with protein and fat, spacing these carbohydrates across three moderate meals and two to three snacks helps prevent sudden blood sugar spikes.
Stay active after meals
Engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic activity helps your muscles absorb sugar directly from your blood. Taking a brisk walk right after your largest meal is an excellent way to lower your glucose naturally.
Partner with specialists
Our team in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada will monitor your numbers and adjust your plan as your pregnancy progresses.
What if you need medication?
If diet and exercise are not enough to keep your blood sugar in a safe range, your care team may recommend starting insulin. This is a very common and safe step.
According to the American Diabetes Association guidelines, insulin is the preferred medication because it does not cross the placenta. It stays in your bloodstream to manage your blood sugar, keeping your baby safe. Our providers will walk you through how to use it so you feel completely confident.
Why is postpartum screening so important?
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after birth, but it impacts your long-term health. The American Diabetes Association reports that women with a history of gestational diabetes face an 18% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes for every unit of BMI increase from their prepregnancy baseline.
Because life with a newborn is busy, many moms miss their follow-up tests. Screening during your delivery hospitalization is a great time to test your blood sugar, compared to waiting weeks for an outpatient visit after you leave. We will help you coordinate this screening to ensure your metabolic health is on the right track.
If you are navigating a high-risk pregnancy or need expert guidance on gestational diabetes, we are here to support you. Schedule a visit with our specialists at Desert Perinatal Associates today.
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