Mum-To-Be Dipika Kakar Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes In Her Third Trimester
19 May 2023 | 6 min Read
Sudeshna Chakravarti
Author | 799 Articles
Telly Town’s favourite actor Dipika Kakar, who announced her pregnancy with husband Shoaib Ibrahim in January this year, has recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes in her third trimester.
The mum-to-be, who regularly updates her fans about her pregnancy journey through vlogs and Instagram, sat down for a candid chat, where she spoke about her diagnosis and also shared health tips for mums who are experiencing the same condition.
Read on as we tell you more about what Dipika had to say about this common pregnancy health condition and prevention tips. We also discuss some of the symptoms of gestational diabetes that you should watch out for to enable timely treatment.
Dipika Kakar On Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis
In her regular YouTube vlog, Dipika mentioned that she recently went for a routine prenatal check-up, where her healthcare provider tested her blood sugar levels. She revealed, “My test results are back, and my sugar levels are pretty high, which means I have gestational diabetes, a condition that is common in pregnant women.”
She then briefly discussed what causes the condition and also talked about how she is trying to manage her sugar levels with her doctor’s advice and some dietary modifications. Dipika stated, I definitely have to restrict my diet and have to cut down on sugar, and rice, and only have selected fruits like apples and pears.”
Dipika also revealed how exercising can help manage gestational diabetes, and added, “As you know I regularly walk for an hour these days, but now, I will also try to walk a bit after having my dinner.”
Dipika Kakar’s Advice For Expecting Mums Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes
The actor revealed that at first she was taken aback by her diagnosis, but was quickly assured by her doctor that it is a common condition and can be managed with some precautionary steps. She also mentioned that she has started inculcating mindful practices to enhance her overall health and well-being.
Sharing her advice for other expecting mums who have gestational diabetes, Dipika said, “Exercise is super-important, so please ensure that you are super-active, if possible.” Dipika also stressed the importance of keeping calm during this situation, and continue following precautionary measures to prevent the risk of further complications.
In the next section, we give you a detailed overview of gestational diabetes, its causes, and prevention steps to manage the condition.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes (GD) is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy if your blood sugar levels are too high. It usually occurs during the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy and can be managed with certain medications or lifestyle modifications.
What Causes Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes develops due to hormonal changes and the way your body converts food into energy.
Generally, A hormone called insulin breaks down the sugar in your food and delivers it to your cells and also regulates the glucose levels in your blood. However, during pregnancy, other hormones released by your body can interfere with the way insulin works. This may further hinder the capability of insulin to regulate your glucose levels and lead to gestational diabetes.
Symptoms Of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes doesn’t display noticeable symptoms, but you may experience the following symptoms in your second and third trimesters.
- Frequent urination
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Increased thirst
Risk Factors For Gestational Diabetes
While gestational diabetes can develop in any pregnant woman, its risk is higher in the case of the following factors:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Family history of gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Prevention Of Gestational Diabetes
There are no definite precautionary tips when it comes to gestational diabetes. However, making healthy choices can help reduce your risk of developing this condition, and also keep your glucose levels in check if you have been diagnosed with GD during pregnancy.
- Eat healthily: Consume plenty of high-fibre foods that are low in fat and calories. Fill your meals with vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Strive for variety to help achieve your nutritional goals, without compromising on taste.
- Stay active: Exercising regularly can help reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes. If you have a go-ahead from your doctor, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on 3-4 days of the week. You can also combine your workout routine with walks, as Dipika mentioned, and go for long walks to keep yourself active.
- Attend routine care appointments: Do not miss your routine prenatal check-ups as that helps your healthcare provider monitor your overall health and diagnose any fluctuations in your glucose level better. This also helps prevent the risk of any serious pregnancy complications.
- Keep your weight in check: It is recommended to gain some amount of weight during pregnancy to support your baby’s health. But gaining too much weight too quickly can increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes. Hence, ask your doctor what is considered a healthy weight gain for you according to your BMI and try to maintain that.
Conclusion
We appreciate Dipika for candidly speaking about gestational diabetes and sharing health tips for expecting mums. As discussed, gestational diabetes is a pretty common condition in pregnant women and can be managed with some mindful choices and dietary modifications.
If you are at risk of developing GD due to your family history or other health condition, then ensure to discuss this with your doctor during your initial prenatal visits, as that will help your healthcare provider to monitor your condition carefully and also administer timely treatment to prevent further complications.
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Cover Image Credit: Dipika Kakar / Instagram
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