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Gestational Diabetes and You

The Facts About This Misunderstood Condition

By Dorothy Nelson

Sometimes, no matter how much you work to keep your diet balanced, your blood sugar test results are still above the normal range. In this case, insulin may be introduced to help balance your blood sugar levels. Do not despair! Insulin is administered in a syringe or with a pen and is not painful. It also may give you the ability to add foods to your diet to help you feel well nourished.

When diagnosed with GDM, it helps to have your partner's or friends' emotional support. "Often when my wife and I went out to dinner, she was tempted by rolls, pasta, rice and baked potatoes," says Eric Nelson, a Richmond, Va., dad. "Since I wanted to support her in her efforts to eat responsibly, I'd try to avoid those foods, too. My wife and I found we could still enjoy a delicious steak dinner with vegetables and then treat ourselves to a cup of ice cream for dessert. She also found certain protein bars that satisfied her sweet cravings."

Having gestational diabetes encourages you to become more self-disciplined about your diet. Altering your food choices is not always easy, but thanks to the help of dietitians, you'll realize you can still enjoy the foods you crave – in moderation. There were days when I dieted or took insulin, and I wasn't pleased about my condition, but there also were days I felt proud of my good health as a result of eating responsibly. Most importantly, I felt excited because I knew what I was doing was the right thing for my babies and me. Both were born healthy, and their birth weights were in the average range.

Want to see more?

• Eating for Two
• Gestational Diabetes: It's Not the End of the World
• Pregnant and Diabetic: How Will Diabetes Affect Your Pregnancy?
• Talk about it!

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