J Korean Diabetes.  2012 Sep;13(3):148-151.

Effective Education Strategies for Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

• Park JE

Abstract

Stress management is a very effective educational strategy for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The long-term goal for women with GDM is prevention of diabetes in both mothers and their offspring. Thus, when we teach the women with GDM, we must emphasize continuous lifestyle modification and regular monitoring of blood glucose during the postpartum period. In obese women with GDM who maintain normoglycemia, the optimal gestational weight gain for a favorable pregnancy outcome is about 3 kg, much less than that given by the guidelines of the Institute of Medicine. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) can potentially identify women who are have a high risk for adverse outcomes associated with GDM, including macrosomia and postpartum glucose intolerance. Until delivery, it is important that HbA1c levels are maintained below 6.0%, but ideally should be less than or equal to 5.5%.

Keyword

Gestational diabetes; Stress; Obesity; Weight gain; Glycosylated hemoglobin A

MeSH Terms

Blood Glucose
Diabetes, Gestational
Female
Glucose Intolerance
Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated
Hemoglobins
Humans
Institute of Medicine (U.S.)
Life Style
Mothers
Obesity
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Weight Gain
Blood Glucose
Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated
Hemoglobins