Case study ( 5307 views as of April 23, 2024 )
Stacey is 35-years-old and was sent to see a Registered Dietitian (RD) for some pre-conception counselling to prevent gestational diabetes (GDM). Stacey has an 18-month-old son who weighed 9 lbs and 2 oz at birth. Stacey denies having been diagnosed with gestational diabetes in her first pregnancy. Her doctor suggested she see the registered dietitian because she has multiple risk factors for developing gestational diabetes and has the opportunity to make lifestyle changes which can help prevent GDM.
At Stacey's first visit with the RD she learns about her multiple risk factors for developing GDM including her age (35 years and older), having a baby born weighing 9 lbs or greater, pre-pregnancy obesity (her current BMI is 30.2 because she had a difficult time losing the weight she gained from her first pregnancy) and a strong family history of Type 2 Diabetes as both her mother and father are living with Type 2 Diabetes. There are other risk factors for developing gestational diabetes that don't apply to Stacey including being part of a high risk ethnic group (such as Asian, South Asian, African, Aboriginal and Hispanic descent), having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or being treated with steroid medications.
Stacey and the RD discuss lifestyle changes that she can implement now and through her future pregnancy. This may not prevent gestational diabetes as most of her risk factors are not modifiable but Stacey agrees that healthy lifestyle changes are important to implement. Stacey could also benefit from incorporating some regular activity into her lifestyle, and could consult with an exercise specialist to develop an appropriate program to help her before her next pregnancy, and could start prenatal yoga classes. Since losing weight would help lower her risk of developing gestational diabetes, Stacey's lifestyle efforts should be targeted toward assisting her with reducing her body weight before she conceives again.
Author: Ashley Grachnik
Conversation based on: Gestational Diabetes " Stacey is 35-years-old she who has multiple risk factors for developing gestational diabetes"
Gestational Diabetes " Stacey is 35-years-old she who has multiple risk factors for developing gestational diabetes"