Instructions
Take Another Course
|
80-90% of all cases of mild gestational diabetes can be treated with lifestyle changes. This table shows the results of the study, the “Effect of Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Pregnancy Outcome”. This was the first large trial to show a reduction in perinatal complications with intervention, as compared to routine obstetric care.
Medical Nutrition Therapy guidelines as set forth by the American Diabetes Association and the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics strongly recommend that women evaluate the lifestyles before conception. This includes things like any medical conditions or risk factors which could interfere with the baby’s development, achieving a healthy body weight before conception, and stopping smoking, among others.
•Identify
medical conditions that need treatment
•Evaluate
risk factors, history, medications, & dietary &
exercise habits
•Establish
a meal & exercise plan to achieve healthy body
weight
•Initiate
folic acid therapy
•Smoking
cessation
•Minimize
exposure to lead, mercury, & other toxins
IOM’s Guidelines for Gestational Weight Gain Excessive maternal weight gain is associated with an increased risk of neonatal hypoglycemia, macrosomia, low Apgar scores, seizures, and polycythemia. These may increase the infant’s risk of obesity later in life. Keeping gestational weight gain within certain parameters also helps to prevent postpartum weight retention. Additionally, a total gestational weight gain of < 69% of the recommended ranges have been associated with an increased risk of preterm birth & low birth weight. It should be noted that weight gain during the 2nd half of pregnancy is strongly associated with fetal growth. The chart below helps to illustrate these parameters.
IOM’s Guidelines for Gestational Weight Gain
Rate of weight gain appears to be as important to the infant’s health as amount of weight gain 1st Trimester……….3-5 lbs 2nd & 3rd Trimester………..3-4 lbs per month
|
