Are You at Risk?
While anyone can develop Gestational Diabetes, the following have a higher risk:
- Have been or are overweight.
- Older than 25 years.
- Have a family history of diabetes.
- Are physically inactive
- Previous history of gestational diabetes or delivery of a large baby (over 9 pounds).
- Are African American, Native American, Latina, Asian, or Pacific Islander.
Gestational diabetes puts expectant mothers at risk for pregnancy and childbirth complications. Diabetes may affect the health of unborn babies, increasing the risk of birth defects. By lowering and controlling your blood sugar, you can help to prevent health issues for both you and your baby.
Gestational Diabetes Education at Adventist HealthCare provides comprehensive education and training by Certified Diabetes Educators to help you manage all aspects of gestational diabetes care and prevent complications.
During this 2-hour class you will learn how to care for gestational diabetes through proper nutrition, blood glucose monitoring, medication use, and exercise to help avoid the adverse effects of uncontrolled gestational diabetes.
Topics Discussed
Information covered will include:
- An overview of gestational diabetes – the “what’s, how’s and why’s”
- Self-care guidelines during pregnancy – physical activity, recommended screenings, and blood sugar monitoring
- Use of insulin therapy and oral agents
- Management of low blood sugars
- Nutritional information
Class Format
This class is virtual, held online via Zoom and led by our educators. Registrants will receive an email with instructions on accessing the Zoom prior to the class date.
About Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes which only occurs in pregnant women. During pregnancy, a woman’s body makes hormones which can cause insulin resistance, therefore causing high levels of sugar in her blood. High levels of sugar in the mother’s blood also mean higher levels of sugar in the baby’s blood. High blood sugar puts both the mother and baby at risk for diabetes and many other health-related issues later in life.
