Q. Goal of dietary management for GDM?
The goal of dietary management for GDM is to provide the pregnant woman with adequate energy, commonly known as "calories", and to ensure nutritional adequacy and appropriate weight gain during pregnancy and to meet the needs of growing baby. This will help in controlling the blood sugar level. Monitoring regular blood sugar (glucose) and foetal size and growth are important components of the treatment of a diabetic pregnant woman.
Blood sugar level can be checked by using glucometer at home by the woman. You can teach the woman how to check blood sugar level by using a glucometer and she should be advised to keep the record of it. If the fasting blood sugar level is more than 100 mg/dl and blood sugar level after 2 hours of meal is more than 120 mg/dl there is danger to the foetus. Hence, insulin therapy should be started by the doctor.