Gestational diabetes is a condition in which women develop high blood sugar levels during pregnancy and are diagnosed with diabetes for the first time during pregnancy. This condition typically develops between weeks 24–28 of pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that gestational diabetes occurs in 2% to 14% of all pregnancies in the United States.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what gestational diabetes is, the potential complications that this condition can cause, and how you can prevent and manage gestational diabetes.

Risk factors for developing gestational diabetes

Although anyone can develop gestational diabetes, some women have an increased risk of developing the condition. This includes women who have high blood pressure, have a family history of diabetes, was overweight before becoming pregnant, have had an unexplained miscarriage or stillbirth, have taken steroids like glucocorticoids, or have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

In some women who develop gestational diabetes, the diabetes is reversed after the baby has been born. However, gestational diabetes does increase both you and your child’s risk of developing diabetes in the future. By properly managing your gestational diabetes, there is a lower risk of you and your child developing diabetes in the future and the possibility of complications for you and your baby during pregnancy and delivery is also decreased.

The symptoms and causes of gestational diabetes

Even though it is rare that gestational diabetes causes any specific symptoms, there are still some mild symptoms that can occur. These include fatigue, blurred vision, increased thirst, increased urination, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, and yeast infections.

Even though the exact cause of gestational diabetes is not yet known, hormones likely have a role to play here. During pregnancy, your body produces a higher level of some hormones, and this is essential for the pregnancy. However, these hormones can also increase your insulin resistance and as these hormones build up during the pregnancy, they can make the body resistant to the hormone insulin. Insulin is the hormone that regulates your blood sugar levels by transporting glucose from the blood into the cells in which it is used for energy. During pregnancy, it is actually natural that your body becomes slightly insulin resistant since this allows for more glucose to be available in the blood to be passed to the fetus. The problems arise if this insulin resistance becomes too strong since this can cause your blood glucose levels to rise abnormally, and this can cause gestational diabetes.

How does gestational diabetes impact my pregnancy?

If gestational diabetes is not managed appropriately, it can cause complications during the pregnancy and birth of the baby. It can for instance increase your risk of high blood pressure which can be threatening to both you and your baby. Gestational diabetes can cause also cause excessive birth weight in your baby and this can, in turn, cause problems during birth. These problems include a higher likelihood of your baby becoming wedged in the birth canal, having birth injuries, or needing a C-section birth.

If left untreated, gestational diabetes can also increase your risk of early labour, and it can cause breathing difficulties and low blood sugar levels in the baby. If gestational diabetes is not properly managed it can also increase your risk and your child’s risk of developing diabetes later in life. Therefore, it is very important to learn how to reduce your chances of developing the condition and how to manage gestational diabetes if you have it. Read on to learn more about the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes.

Prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes

Although it is not possible to entirely prevent gestational diabetes from occurring, you can decrease the chances of developing gestational diabetes by incorporating health-promoting habits into your life. As always, a nutritious diet and regular exercise are two good ways to increase your overall health. Focus on spacing out carbohydrate-rich foods to avoid spikes in blood sugar levels and eat whole-grain carbohydrates. Getting adequate amounts of protein and healthy fats are also important parts of a nutritious diet. These are also great habits to adopt if you are overweight since being overweight is one of the risk factors for developing gestational diabetes. Furthermore, it is always important that you seek prenatal care and follow all doctor-recommended visits to receive the appropriate screenings and evaluations during your pregnancy.

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the type of treatment you receive will depend on your blood sugar levels. Based on this, gestational diabetes is divided into two classes:

Class A1: Gestational diabetes that can be managed through diet alone
Class A2: Gestational diabetes in which insulin or oral medications is needed to manage the condition

If you have gestational diabetes A1, it is common that your doctor will advise you to test your blood sugar levels before and after you eat, and usually, the condition is managed by a nutritious diet and regular exercise. If you have gestational diabetes A2, your doctor can also prescribe insulin injections or other insulin medication and you will then be advised on when and how to use the insulin. 

Although we have seen that gestational diabetes can cause serious complications for both you and your child, there are several ways to manage this condition. Your doctor will find the treatment plan appropriate for you based on your specific case. However, a nutritious diet and regular exercise are two golden habits to both prevent and treat gestational diabetes, and these habits are also significant for increasing your overall health!

Being pregnant is an astonishing experience for any woman even though it might be very exhaustive at times too. A whole new life is about to develop inside your womb, and this is an incredibly complex process, to say the least. So, how does a baby develop from after the fertilization of an egg cell by a sperm occurs? Surely you have asked yourself this question several times both before and during your pregnancy, and you are probably curious to know how your fetus is growing and developing at specific times during your pregnancy. If so, you will find this article very interesting, since we are about to provide you with an overview of how the fetus grows and develops during the time of your pregnancy!

The stages of a pregnancy

The typical pregnancy consists of 40 weeks (9-10 months). These weeks are commonly divided into three trimesters; the first trimester, the second trimester, and the third trimester. Below we will explain how the fetus grows and develops during each of these three trimesters. If you also wish to see visuals of the development of the fetus during pregnancy, you can do so here.

The first trimester

The first trimester starts at the time of conception and continues until week 12 of the pregnancy. This is the first three months of the pregnancy and during this time, the fertilized egg will develop from a group of cells to a fetus.

The first month (weeks 1-4)

During the start of the pregnancy, the amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid will form around the fertilized egg and help cushion the embryo. Furthermore, the placenta will develop. The placenta is a very fascinating organ that only exists during pregnancy, and it enables the transportation of nutrients from the mother to the fetus and transports wastes from the fetus.

Already during this first month, the embryo will develop a primitive face with eyes in the form of large dark circles. Additionally, the mouth, lower jaw, and throat will start to develop. The circulation in the embryo will begin and the tiny “heart” tube in the embryo will beat 65 times a minute by the end of the fourth week. At the end of this first month, the embryo is approximately 1/4 inch long, which is smaller than a grain of rice!

The second month (week 5-8)

The facial features will continue to develop during this period, and the ears will slowly begin to form. Furthermore, fingers, toes, eyes, arms, and legs will also start to form. The neural tube (consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and other neural tissue of the central nervous system) is well-formed by this time. Additionally, the digestive tract and sensory organs are starting to develop, and bone will start to replace cartilage. At this point, the head of the embryo is much larger than the rest of the body. Around 6 weeks in, a heartbeat can usually be detected and after the 8th week, the embryo is officially a fetus. At the end of this month, the fetus is about 1 inch long and weighs about 1/30 of an ounce.

The third month (week 9-12)

By this month, the arms, hands, fingers, feet, and toes of the fetus are fully formed! The fetus will now start to move around more in the womb by for instance opening and closing its fists and mouth. The fingernails, toenails, and teeth of the fetus are also starting to develop, and the external ears are formed. Furthermore, the reproductive organs will start to form in the fetus, but the gender will still be hard to determine on an ultrasound during this phase.

By the end of this third month, all the organs and limbs of the fetus are present, and the fetus is fully formed. During the rest of the pregnancy, the organs and limbs of the fetus will continue to develop and become functional. The fetus is now about 4 inches long and weighs about 1 ounce. Since the most critical development of the fetus is now completed, the chance of miscarriage is drastically reduced after these three months of pregnancy.

The second trimester

For a pregnant woman, the second trimester is usually the more enjoyable part of the pregnancy since the morning sickness and discomfort of early pregnancy usually start to fade. This trimester expands over week 13 to week 28 of the pregnancy. The fetus will now start to develop more facial features and it will also start to flip and turn in the uterus. Another exciting part of this trimester is that you will have the choice to find out the gender of your baby!

The fourth month (week 13-16)

During this month the heartbeat of the fetus will be audible by using a doppler. The eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, and hair of the fetus are now formed and the teeth and bones become denser. Furthermore, the fetus will now be able to suck their thumb, yawn, stretch, and have facial expressions. Now the nervous system is starting to function in the fetus and the reproductive organs and genitalia are fully developed. It is therefore possible to detect the gender of the fetus on an ultrasound! At the end of this month, the fetus will be about 6 inches long and weigh about 4 ounces.

The fifth month (week 17-20)

This is the month when you can start to feel the fetus moving around in the uterus! This is because the fetus is starting to develop muscles and exercise them. Hair will now start to grow on the head of the fetus and the shoulders, back, and temples are covered by a soft fine hair called lanugo. This hair is formed to protect the fetus and it is usually shed during the week that your baby is born. Apart from the protecting hair, the skin of the fetus is also covered with a whitish coating called vernix caseosa which is thought to protect the fetal skin from the long exposure to the amniotic fluid. This coating is shed just before birth. By the end of this month, the fetus is about 10 inches long and weighs from 1/2 to 1 pound.

The sixth month (week 21-24)

The skin of the fetus now has a reddish colour and it is wrinkled, and some veins are visible through the skin. The finger and toe prints are also visible at this time and the eyelids will begin to part and the eyes will open. The fetus will also start to respond to sounds by moving or increasing its pulse. By the end of this sixth month, the fetus is about 12 inches long and weighs about 2 pounds.

The seventh month (week 25-28)

During the seventh month, the fetus continues to mature and the organs and limbs are becoming more functional. The fetus will also develop reserves of body fat. The hearing of the fetus is fully developed at this time and the fetus will respond to stimuli like sound, pain, and light, and it will change positions frequently. If the baby is born prematurely after the seventh month, it will likely survive. At the end of this month, the fetus is about 14 inches long and weighs from 2 to 4 pounds.

The third trimester

During this final stage of the pregnancy, each week of development helps the fetus prepare for birth. The third trimester will reach from week 29 to the last week of pregnancy, which is usually week 40 but you can go past your due date by a week or two. Considering that the typical full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks, this can take you into a tenth month of pregnancy. During this trimester, the fetus will gain body fat and weight quickly that will help after birth.

The eight month (week 29-32)

During the eight months of pregnancy, the fetus will continue to mature and develop adequate reserves of body fat. Commonly, you will notice the fetus kicking more during this month. The brain of the fetus will develop rapidly at this time, and the fetus can now see and hear. By this month, most internal systems in the fetus are well developed although the lungs may still be immature. The fetus is now about 18 inches long and weighs as much as 5 pounds.

The ninth month (week 33-36)

The fetus continues to grow and mature to prepare for birth and the lungs are almost fully developed by this month. The fetus now has coordinated reflexes and can blink, close its eyes, turn its head, grasp firmly, and respond to stimuli such as sounds, light, and touch. At this month, the fetus is about 17 to 19 inches long and weighs from 5 ½ pounds to 6 ½ pounds.

The tenth month (week 37-40)

The final month of pregnancy! During this month, you could go into labour at any time. The fetus might move less during this month due to a lack of space. The position of the fetus in the womb may have changed to prepare for birth and ideally, the head of the fetus is down in your uterus. This might feel very uncomfortable as the fetus drops down into your pelvis and prepares for birth. As your baby is ready to meet the world it will be about 18 to 20 inches long and weigh about 7 pounds.

By now, you are hopefully a little bit more acquainted with how your fetus will grow and develop inside your body during your pregnancy. It’s a truly beautiful process, which is why I believe that every baby born is a miracle! If you’d like to learn more about the later stages of development of the fetus, you can do so in our full day Antenatal Masterclass!

A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time, but especially vital if you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Healthy eating keeps you feeling good and gives your baby the essential nutrients they need in the womb. Eating should no longer be about providing nutrition to your own body but to your own body any your baby’s. While every woman is different, you can follow several steps to put you on the right path to a healthy diet.

Firstly, it’s important that you increase the amount of water you drink each day. Your body is composed of up to 60% water so being properly hydrated is important for everyone, but especially during pregnancy. The standard recommendation of six to eight medium (200ml) glasses per day may be difficult to achieve without adding a little flavour with some fruit juice or lemon wedges. So, if you need to do so in the hopes of drinking enough then that is fine.

While pregnant you should Consume a variety of healthy foods from all the basic food groups. Eat a balanced diet that includes all these food groups:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts
• Grains such as breads, rice, or pasta
• Oils

Eat often throughout the day but eat smaller portions more often. Many women will find it easier to eat a 400-calorie meal every few hours. Drinking more water will also help you with digesting these meals more frequently.

Eat only moderate amounts of foods high in sugar, salt, or saturated fats, such as candy or pastries. These types of food in general aren’t good to include in your diet, but it’s even more important to avoid while pregnant.  These foods are often very high in empty calories and will be low in nutrients.

Protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals are needed to give your baby the building blocks to grow. Fats in particular play an important role in the development of the brain and nervous system.

Protein

Eating foods that contain protein will help your baby grow. Sources of protein include lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. There are many vegan sources of protein as well! If you are avoiding animal products there are plenty of options for your baby. Make sure that you are eating enough protein every day. Putting some thought into what protein-rich foods you eat, will help your baby develop as he or she should.

Try and read the nutritional information for foods that you eat throughout the day to ensure that you are reaching the recommended protein intake for your baby. During your pregnancy you should get a minimum of 60 grams of protein a day. This accounts for approximately 20 to 25 percent of your calorie intake.

Make sure eggs, poultry, pork, burgers and sausages are cooked all the way through. Raw eggs can carry disease causing organisms like Salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.  Make sure you follow the food safety guidelines to reduce any risks. Make sure your meat is fresh and not pink or red in colour, if it still has a bright colour then it might not be cooked properly and could cause you to become sick.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrate foods provide essential fuel for both you and your baby during pregnancy. They are also your body’s main source of energy, which is why it’s important to choose healthy carbohydrate foods. Refined sugars and flours have little or no nutritional value so try to cut back on these. Foods that fall into the carbohydrate category include breads, pastas, cereals, rice, some fruits (like bananas), starchy vegetables (like potatoes), dried beans and peas.

Eating meals that are full of carbohydrates will help your body to have a steady energy supply for your baby. If you eat too much protein and not enough carbohydrates, your body will break down muscle to use as energy. For most people, carbohydrates should make up about 50 percent of their total daily calorie intake. Most pregnant and breastfeeding women need about 175-200 grams of carbohydrates per day.

Fats

Fats are important during pregnancy too, but remember you need to choose healthy fats. Saturated fats are animal fats and should be used sparingly as they can increase blood cholesterol levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Instead, look for labels such as “100% natural” and “no hydrogenated oil.” These oils will help provide energy and nutrients needed by your growing baby. You’ll also find these healthier fats in fish like salmon and certain nuts like walnuts. Health experts recommend keeping total fat intake between 20 and 35 percent of total calories. All women, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should follow these recommendations.

Vitamins and Nutrients

Iron is important during pregnancy because it helps to produce the extra blood needed to supply oxygen across the placenta to the growing foetus. You can find iron in red meat, beans and leaf vegetables such as spinach or kale. Iron is also important after birth when your body begins producing milk for your baby so it’s important not to overlook this nutrient!

Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption during pregnancy, immune functions and brain health. Sunlight is a great source of vitamin D so try to take a few minutes outside each day.

Vitamin B12 is vital for the development of red blood cells and nerve function. Vitamin B12 can be found in meats such as chicken, fish and beef as well as eggs and dairy products like milk and yogurt.

Folic acid (and folic acid supplements) helps to prevent birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord which could result in miscarriage or serious health problems for your baby. Folic acid can be found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli as well legumes like beans and peas.

Conclusion

Food has a huge role during pregnancy as it maintains the health of both mothers and their babies. Practice good nutrition and food safety. Remember, you do not need to entirely remove certain foods that are bad from your diet. Instead choose foods based on the principles of balance variety and moderation. This is the best approach to enjoying a healthy eating plan during pregnancy and for a lifetime. 

If you are pregnant and you are finding it difficult to fall asleep during the night-time, then you are not alone.  Many women who are pregnant suffer from insomnia during pregnancy. The main thing to do if you have a hard time falling asleep is try not to worry about it too much. Of course, this may be easier said than done because pregnancy can cause a lot of changes to your body and sleep pattern. Try the following natural remedies for pregnancy insomnia:

Eat melatonin rich foods

Melatonin is a hormone that your body makes in your pineal gland. Its job is to help your body know when to wake up and when to go to sleep. When you are pregnant, your melatonin levels increase to help you sleep while also helping regulate pregnancy hormones. If you have pregnancy insomnia then eating melatonin rich foods like tart cherries, cucumbers, milk, fish and nuts can help induce sleepiness.

Meditate

Stress and anxiety will only make it harder for you to fall asleep at night-time. You cannot remove all the stress from your pregnancy life, but you can meditate and remove some of it. Meditation calms the mind and relaxes the body and will be a good de-stressor at least once a day.

Take supplements to improve sleep quality

Some pregnant women who suffer from pregnancy insomnia may need more than meditation to help them sleep through the night. One way of helping to increase your chances and overall quality of sleep is to take a magnesium supplement. Magnesium helps to relax the muscles, so it eases pregnancy insomnia symptoms. Studies have shown that more than 80% of people are deficient in magnesium so taking a magnesium supplement may help you sleep better.

Get a pregnancy pillow

One of the pregnancy sleep tips that new parents can use is to get a body pregnancy pillow. These pillows wrap all the way around your body and give you support where support is needed most. You may find that these pillows help you to be more comfortable as you try and go to sleep.

Get some exercise

Getting enough exercise during pregnancy is important for a healthy pregnancy and can help make labour easier, but exercise can also improve your sleep! Our bodies, even when pregnant are designed to move.  So, get moving.  Exercise in pregnancy not only helps pregnancy insomnia but also reduces pregnancy nausea and enhances pregnancy sex drive.

Avoid blue light at night

Once the sun goes down, turn off the TV, put away the iPhone and get off the computer. As hard as this can be, it will make a HUGE difference to your sleep quality! Whether you are pregnant or not, you should be protecting your sleep by not looking at electronic screens before bedtime.

To nap or not to nap

Whether napping helps with pregnancy insomnia will depend on the woman and her situation.  You know best. If you’re feeling tired, try napping. It’s important to remember that if you are napping constantly during the day and you find that you have insomnia at night-time then you should try to refrain from napping during the daytime to see if that helps.

Meals

While pregnancy insomnia may not be related to the foods you are eating, it’s still worth being aware of what you’re putting into your body. Look for some healthy pregnancy meals for some ideas. Eating healthily will make you feel healthier and better overall. The times that you eat meals is also something to consider when trying to cure insomnia. Some people’s bodies (especially pregnant women) may become restless while they are trying to both digest food and get some rest at the same time.  Try to space out your meals so that you’re not getting hungry and trying to sleep, but also try to keep them regular for when you need energy.

Do you struggle with pregnancy insomnia? Then try and follow some of the methods mentioned above. If none of these natural remedies are helping, then it may be time to speak with your doctor and follow their advice. No matter what, pregnancy insomnia is manageable and hopefully these tips help. If this article helped, and you found my content useful then please share my website with others and follow my social media which are listed below.