gestational diabetes

• hyperglycaemia that developed during pregnancy
• placenta produces hormones which blocks the body use of insulin thus making insulin less effective
• insulin must be given to prevent birth defects if clients are unable to achieve glycemic targets within 2 weeks
• usually subsides after delivery
• most women can manage this by diet and exercise
• Diagnosing: screening between 24-28 weeks gestation
• diagnosing: if multiple risk factors are present, women are screened in 1st trimester and reassessed in subsequent trimesters
• diagnosing: 1 out of 5 women will require insulin during pregnancy when diagnosed with GDM
• diagnosing: hard test to do because of nausea, you have to keep all of the liquid down
• women will stop eating out of fear for increased blood sugar
• why manage?


  neonates are at risk for hyperbilirubinemia, diabetes as young adults

  women have long term risk of developing diabetes and often requires c/s delivery
• Nursing management: healthy eating, asses pregnancy weight gain, healthy exercise, regular BGM, administer insulin if/as needed, proper insulin techniques
• healthy diet- do not withhold nutrition
• healthy exercise: walking, light weight, swimming