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In the US about four percent of pregnant women are affected by a type of diabetes called gestational diabetes. According to some, stress during pregnancy is the cause of gestational diabetes, although the reasons for its appearance are not fully understood.

Pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes need to take special care of themselves including following a special diet. This is done to avoid fetal defects and death as a result of this condition.

Women diagnosed with this condition must consult with a nutritionist and create a diet plan and chart. The best way to control blood sugar during pregnancy is by modifying the diet. The way the diet will be modified will depend on wieght and hieght of the woman and will vary from person to person.

Care has to be taken to see that the mother and fetus are provided enough nutrition while taking care of the blood sugar. Self monitoring for glucose has to continue throughout the pregnancy and has to be done initially four times a day till good glucose control is established. After this, the frequency of monitoring can be reduced.

There should be an effort for women to gain a set amount of wieght (predetermined) every trimester and to have the recommended caloric intake. There have to be safeguards against diabetic ketoacidosis and so the intake of nutrition should be well regulated.

So if someone you know has gestational diabetes, advice them to take care of themselves with the above article as a background and with the direct help of a dietician.