Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Self Care. Caring For Yourself

Many women may be having the signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes and not know it nor know how harmful it can be to themselves or the unborn child. Some symptoms may include; blurred vision, fatigue, frequent infections, increased thirst, increased urination, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss in spite of increase appetite (Gutierrez, 2007). Having gestational diabetes can also cause harm to the unborn baby, the most common result is an increased birth weight that exceeds nine pounds (Gutierrez, 2009). In most cases not every woman that has gestational diabetes will have any of these symptoms but should be given an oral glucose tolerance test between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy (Seibel, 2009). Almost every doctor in this day in age will have pregnant patients take this test regardless if the patient is having symptoms or not.

Amanda manages her gestational diabetes with diet. She experiences a few episodes of postprandial hyperglycemia, but does not have to go on insulin. At her 36-week

Blood glucose is normally maintained between 70 mg and 110 mg. Blood glucose levels below 70mg, denote the situation of "hypoglycemia". Although blood glucose levels of 110mg can be normal, this is only the case if a meal has been taken within 2 to 3 hours. A blood glucose level of 180mg or more, is termed "hyperglycemia." Diagnosis is made if blood glucose levels are above 200mg after drinking a sugar-water drink (Norman, 1997).

Blood glucose levels higher than 7.0 mm/L are considered symptomatic when a person has been fasting, and blood glucose levels higher than 11.1mm/L when a person hasn’t been fasting are considered symptomatic (Diabetes Journals 2014).

• If the repeat blood glucose level is still at or below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), take 15 grams of a carbohydrate again.

9. Intervention: Administer 15-20 grams of glucose or carbohydrate when the sugar levels is below 70mg/dL. Above 180mg/dL the doctor must be contacted. Rationale: the fast

If one is at risk of severe low blood sugar, the physician may prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to help if such a case arises and one can’t eat or drink. Ensure close relatives know how to use the kit during an emergency

Of great concern with HHS is a higher mortality rate. HHS occurs when high glucose levels and dehydration slowly increase each other until both are extreme. Another differing key feature of HHS is the presence of neurological changes and absence of ketones. In contrast HHS occurs more often in older adults, but can occur in children with type one and type two diabetes during periods of illness. Moreover, HHS is often the presenting event that leads to diagnosis of type two diabetes (Diabetes Info, 2016). Precipitating events for HHS include illness such as diarrhea, pneumonia, sepsis, a cardiac event and/or decreased fluid intake leading to extreme hyperglycemia. Glucose levels in HHS are in excess of 180 mg/dl often rising to over 600mg/dl, resulting in the kidneys inability to reabsorb the glucose. Of consequence, the profound dehydration and hyperosmolality greater than 350 mOsm/kg, simply cannot be corrected from drinking fluids and requires IV therapy, potential electrolyte replacement and hospitalization (Mensing, McLaughlin, & Halstenson, 2011) (Childs, Cypress, & Spollett,

My peice of advice as well was to seek a doctor. Being healthy prior to conceiving is very helpful when it comes to Gestational Diabetes. I was very fortunate with both of my kids that i didn't get Gestational Diabetes. I was 17 when i had my first child and very active. If i was not doing traveling softball on the weekend then i was cheering on a competition cheer squad. I agree on the overall lack of care. It drives me crazy to see some of the things that parents let there kids eat. My sister in law is a good example of that. She uses they excuse that they are growing boys and they are going through that stage. I just want to shake her and say portion control and eat heathier. She suffers from morbid obesity and her kids are 11 and 17, they

You will need to eat a meal that includes at least 75 grams of carbohydrate. The meal should include high-carbohydrate foods, such as bread, pasta, potatoes, and other starchy foods.

Plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dl ( 11.1 mmol/l) an 2 hour post-prandial during an oral glucose tolerance test of 200mg/dL or more Symptoms (such as polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, unexplained weight loss, weakness & fatigue)

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association (2013), low blood glucose is less than 4 mmol/L and high blood glucose is at or higher than 11 mmol/L. The official recommendations of the Canadian Diabetes Association is, “for most medical/surgical ICU patients with hyperglycemia, a continuous IV insulin infusion should be used to maintain glucose levels between 7.8 and 10 mmol/L.” (“In-Hospital Management of Diabetes”, 2013, p.1). It is essential starting the insulin infusion to avoid higher prevalence of infections and poor condition’s prognosis.

Society looks at Pregnancy as an amazing and exciting time for women and their families. However women diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus can experience an increased amount of stressors not only physical but, emotionally and socially. Physically GDM causes increased blood sugar levels which can have dangerous and harmful effects on both mother and infant. New to be mothers can have a hard time understanding and coping with their pregnancy and condition if not supported correctly by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals should use a women-centred approach when delivering maternity care as it empowers women in the self-management of their care. This essay will discus in further detail the aspects of GDM, including the

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an intolerance of glucose documented for the first time during pregnancy. It is usually a short-term type of diabetes and the most common health problem with pregnant women. GBM is caused by the way the hormones in pregnancy affect the mother. GDM accounts for 5-7% of all pregnancies (American Diabetes Association, 2010). During pregnancy the placenta develops and becomes the main bond between the mother and the baby. It is used to make sure the baby has and gets enough nutrients. The placenta makes several hormones which make it hard for insulin to control blood glucose and block the action of the mother’s insulin in her body (American Diabetes Association, 2010). Hormonal changes during the

It is estimated that 1-14% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) (Hieronymus, Combs, Coleman, Ashford, & Wiggins, 2016). GDM is carbohydrate intolerance developed during pregnancy and is the most common metabolic complication of pregnancy (Wilson, Dyer, Latendresse, Wong, & Baksh, 2015). Gestational diabetes has been known to have serious complications for both the mother and the infant (Gilbert, 2011). Management of GDM includes diet, exercise, education, and possibly insulin therapy (Kopec, Ogonowski, Rahman, & Miazgowski, 2015).