Gestational Diabetes Nutrition paper

Submitted By JB10075
Words: 805
Pages: 4
Open Document
Gestational Diabetes
J. Raphael Barnes
Platt College

Summary Gestational Diabetes occurs in pregnant mothers with retention of sugar or Hyperglycemia. This condition may lead to difficulties and other disorders if left untreated. In addition to complications for the mother, the developing fetus will also experience issues if the mother has hyperglycemia up to and including death of the fetus and mother.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Diabetes is caused when the body experiences Hypoglycemia or high blood sugar over a long period of time – a chronic condition caused by insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. When Diabetes starts or is first diagnosed when a woman is pregnant the condition is then known as Gestational Diabetes. Usually there are no symptoms, or the symptoms are mild and not life threatening to the pregnant woman. The blood sugar (glucose) level usually returns to normal after delivery (McNamee, 2013). Women who have the following characteristics are at greater risk for developing Gestational Diabetes:
Are older than 25 when you are pregnant
Have a family history of diabetes
Gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds or had a birth defect
Have high blood pressure
Have too much amniotic fluid
Have had an unexplained miscarriage or stillbirth
Were overweight before your pregnancy
If a woman experience symptoms, some of these symptoms may include:
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Frequent infections, including those of the bladder, vagina, and skin
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss despite increased appetite
What is the treatment for Gestational Diabetes? The goals of treatment are to keep blood sugar (glucose) levels within normal limits during the pregnancy, and to make sure that the growing baby is healthy. Your health care provider should closely check both you and your baby throughout the pregnancy. Fetal monitoring will check the size and health of the fetus. A non-stress test is a very simple, painless test for you and your baby (McNamee, 2013).
A machine that hears and displays your baby's heartbeat (electronic fetal monitor) is placed on your abdomen.
Your health care provider can compare the pattern of your baby's heartbeat to movements and find out whether the baby is doing well.
The best way to improve your diet is by eating a variety of healthy foods. You should learn how to read food labels, and check them when making food decisions. Talk to your doctor or dietitian if you are a vegetarian or on some other special diet (McNamee, 2013).
In general, when you have gestational diabetes your diet should:
Be moderate in fat and protein
Provide your carbohydrates through foods that include fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates (such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice)
Be low in foods that contain a lot of sugar, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and pastries
If managing your diet does not control blood sugar (glucose) levels, you may be prescribed diabetes medicine by mouth or insulin therapy. Most women who develop gestational diabetes will not need diabetes medicines or insulin, but some will (McNamee, 2013).
What are some Nursing Interventions?
Assess knowledge of the processes and actions, including the relationship of the disease with diet, exercise, stress and insulin requirements. Provide information about the
Show More

Related Documents: Gestational Diabetes Nutrition paper

Outline For Diabetes Research Paper

Professor McCadden Research Paper 13 May 2016 Diabetes Diabetes- it is a scary word that is commonly used in the world today, but not a lot of people really understand it. Nearly 29 million people are living with diabetes in the United States alone (WHO). Within five minutes, two people will experience a death due to diabetes and fourteen people will be diagnosed (WHO). So, what is it? What do you do when you have it? What causes it? Is there a cure? Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that affects…

Words 629 - Pages 3

Diabetes Sugar Disease

The increasing prevalence of Diabetes is a major concern in our society. Diabetes has become one of the common diseases citizens across the country visit the hospitals for. Many people across the globe have certain myths and misconceptions of diabetes as the "sugar disease." But that's only part of the story, a 5% truth of the whole. Research from the World Health Organization indicates that about 347 million people worldwide and growing have diabetes. In 2012, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were…

Words 1875 - Pages 8

Diabetes: Insulin and American Diabetes Association Essay

Diabetes is an illness that messes with the individual’s ability to process the energy in the food that they consume. Diabetes is a growing concern in the world as more and more individuals are being diagnosed on a daily basis. Within the community where I live there are individuals being diagnosed on a regular basis and are required to obtain the information regarding the illness where they can find it. There is a need for additional classes within the community to assist the residents. Throughout…

Words 2724 - Pages 11

Essay on Diabetes Diet By Steph

Nutrition and diet － Diabetes Diet Unit 22036 Picture 1(content.2014) Student Name: Wen Gu (Stephanie) Student ID: NS8893 Class ID: DDCPCKYOCT14G1 Tutor: Sanjay Agarwal Content Introduction 2 History and background 3 Geography 5 Culture 6 Change Agents 8 Innovation 8 Contemporary trend 9 Production method 10 Future Trends 15 Technological Influence 15 Social Influence 16 Resources 16 Applications 17 Conclusion 17 Reference list 18 Picture Reference List: 19 Introduction…

Words 5466 - Pages 22

NTR 109 Notes Week Six Ten complete Essay

NTR 109 Week Six - Ten Vitamins and Phytochemicals Vitamins Essential organic substances Produce deficiency symptoms when missing from diet Yield no energy Basic functions: Facilitate energy-yielding chemical reactions Function as co-enzymes Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K Absorbed with fat Transported by protein carriers Stored in large amounts in liver and fatty tissues More time to become deficient Highly toxic—especially Vitamin D and A Dissolve in lipids or solvents Water-soluble vitamins…

Words 4812 - Pages 20

13730674 Maternity Nursing Edited Royal Essays

Maternity Nursing I. Basic Knowledge on Genetics and Obstetrics 1. DNA – Deoxyribonucleic Acid – carries genetic code 2. Chromosomes – threadlike structure of hereditary material known as the DNA 3. Normal amount of ejaculated sperm – 3 – 5 cc/ 1 teaspoon 4. Ovum is capable of being fertilized within 24 – 36 hours after ovulation. 5. Sperm 48 – 72 days viability 6. Reproductive cells divide by the process of MEIOSIS (haploid number) Spermatogenesis – process of maturation of sperm Oogenesis –…

Words 9702 - Pages 39

Human Biology for A2 Level (Paperback)

children’s health are discussed. In addition to the direct consequences of poverty on children’s health, two related themes run through this paper. Children from minority ethnic groups living in rich nations suffer double jeopardy7 in that they are more likely to live in poverty8 and are likely to suffer discrimination as a result of racism.9 Throughout this paper, attention is given to these dual effects and how they impact on child health. Although living in poverty has the greatest effect on the health…

Words 7944 - Pages 32