Kelsi Baron
Hillary Colbry
Katelyn Gaffney
Cody Kryfka
Stephanie Logan
Megan Moore
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People eat food which digest into glucose
which then causes the pancreas to release
insulin to lower blood sugar levels
In pregnancy, the placenta produces multiple
hormones which impair the action of insulin
in the mom causing the blood sugars to stay
elevated.
90% of pregnant women develop GDM
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Between 24-28 weeks gestation a Oral
Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) will be
completed
◦ Woman drinks a syrupy glucose solution
◦ Wait 1 hour
◦ Gets blood drawn
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Normal blood sugar level are <140
If >140, then a follow-up OGTT will be done
◦ Fast over night
◦ Drink a higher concentrated glucose solution
◦ Blood sugar levels are tested every hour for 3 hours
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2 or more tests are higher than 140 then
women is diagnosed with GDM
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Low blood sugars
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Excessive birth weight
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Type 2 diabetes later in life for mom & baby
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Pre-term birth
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Family history of diabetes
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During a pervious pregnancy
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A baby weighing more than 9 pounds
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Being overweight
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Race
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Diet could limit or remove the need for medication
interventions
Carbohydrates have the biggest impact on blood sugar
levels
DO…
◦ Healthy portions
◦ Fruits, vegetables, whole grains
◦ Foods high in fiber, low in fat/calories
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AVOID/LIMIT
◦ Sweets
◦ Refined Carbohydrates
◦ Eating Carbohydrates at breakfast/morning
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Necessary during and after pregnancy
◦ “Lowers blood sugar by stimulating your body to
move glucose into your cells where it’s used for
energy”(Mayo, 2014)
◦ Increases sensitivity to insulin
◦ Decreases possibility of later onset Type 2 diabetes
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Moderate activity OR build up slowly
◦ Cycling, walking, swimming, housework, gardening
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If diet and exercise are not enough
◦ 10-20% of women with GDM need insulin
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Oral and/or Insulin
◦ Common Oral Medication
 Glyburide: stimulates pancreas-does not cross the
placenta in significant amount
 Metformin: decreases amount of glucose the liver
makes-crosses placenta in small amounts
◦ Insulin
 Requires more check ups with obstetrician-weekly or
twice weekly
 Non-stress test, ultrasound, kick counts, biophysical
profile(combination non-stress test /ultrasound)
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Focus on maintaining normal blood glucose
levels: Diet and Exercise
Insulin injection techniques if necessary
Monitoring anxiety and feelings of mother
Effective communication
Providing normal pregnancy care
Stress management
Postpartum care
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Reinforcement and review accurate
information
Demonstration of specific skills
Teaching support persons skills and
information on GDM
Knowledge of effects of GDM if poorly
managed
Explain the need for frequent check-ups and
tests
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Deficient Knowledge in management of
gestational diabetes
Imbalanced nutrition less than body
requirements
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After Birth
Complications
Risks
◦ Macrosomia
◦ Hypoglycemia
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Mayo Clinic. (2014). Gestational diabetes. Mayo Clinic.
Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/gestational-diabetes/basics/definition/con20014854
Baby Center. (2014). The best kinds of exercise for
pregnancy. Baby Center. Retrieved from
http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-best-kinds-of-exercisefor-pregnancy_7880.bc