Healthy diet and lots of exercise In gestational diabetes often no insulin required

In the case of gestational diabetes, insulin does not always have to be injected
Diabetes is one of the most common complications in pregnancy, which poses an increased health risk for the expectant mother as well as the unborn child. Contrary to popular belief that women need to inject insulin for gestational diabetes, this is often not necessary. It is usually enough to eat healthier and to move a lot.

In pregnancy diabetes adapt to everyday life
If a pregnant woman diagnoses a so-called gestational diabetes, the uncertainty is initially large: now has the insulin syringe ago, as in any other diabetes? According to experts, it usually suffices to adapt your own everyday life a bit. For example, sweets and sugary drinks should be taboo and the diet generally healthier. In addition, sufferers should move sufficiently and check their blood glucose levels regularly. In a joint press release from various associations and societies, experts explain what else is important.

Many women think they need to tip insulin for gestational diabetes. But often it is enough to eat healthier and to move regularly. (Image: Mediteraneo / fotolia.com)

Health risks for child and mother
In gestational diabetes, the blood sugar of the mother is either constantly or even unusually long after meals increased. The high amount of sugar goes directly to the baby, which is oversupplied.

It often grows too fast, and its metabolism sets itself before the birth on the constant oversupply of carbohydrates, explained Prof. Dr. med. med. Birgit Seelbach Göbel, President of the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG).

Among other things, this may affect the development of the heart and lungs of the child.

Gestational diabetes is also a risk for the mother, because it is then more likely to develop high to very high blood pressure with edema, kidney problems and a tendency to seizures.

Sugar test in prenatal care
To prevent this, since 2012, a sugar test for regular prenatal care. "In the test, the pregnant woman drinks a standardized amount of glucose solution," said Christian Albring, president of the professional association of gynecologists (BVF) in a message from the news agency dpa.

According to the information, it is then checked after one hour whether the blood sugar rises too high or remains elevated too long. According to the agency report, such a test was previously only performed in women who had marked symptoms of gestational diabetes, such as severe thirst, frequent toilet visits or an unusually large baby.

Balanced diet and plenty of exercise
In order not to let it happen, women can do a lot themselves, Albring stated in the press release. First and foremost is a balanced and high-fiber diet and the absence of sweets and sodas to keep blood sugar levels low.

In addition, ample, as daily as possible movement and regular blood sugar control. "If a woman resolutely and consistently implements these measures, she can usually avert the dangers for her baby and for herself," says Birgit Seelbach Göbel, President of the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG)..

"Only when these measures are not effective, you should consider an insulin therapy, which should not be too long to wait, because it is important to keep the constant excess supply of sugar from the baby as good as possible and the development of consequential damage in the case of the mother, "explained Nikolaus Scheper, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Registered Diabetologists (BVND). (Ad)