6 TexasHealthHuguley.org Free gestational diabetes visits Creating better outcomes for moms and babies Have you heard of gestational diabetes? It’s a type of diabetes only pregnant women can get. And if it isn’t controlled, it can cause health problems for moms and their babies. Now, more women with this condition will receive the information and resources they need to manage the disease, thanks to a W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant. As part of the grant, pregnant women who are on Medicaid (or are uninsured) will receive free visits with a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at the Texas Health Huguley Outpatient Diabetes and Nutrition Center. “We hope to see these patients many times throughout their pregnancy,” says Angela Hodges, Diabetes Center Manager. “We want them to have the best chance to have a great outcome.” Appointments will cover key steps such as: Doctors first check for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy, says OB-GYN Raquel Robles, M.D. Gestational diabetes is a disease of high blood sugar. Getting that blood sugar under control can reduce the risk of many problems. Among them is having a very large baby (9 or more pounds). This can cause shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulders get stuck during delivery). “We can perform different maneuvers to deliver the baby safely,” Dr. Robles says. “But that is an emergency we want to avoid by controlling gestational diabetes.” Babies can also be born with breathing problems or very low blood sugar. Having gestational diabetes can increase a woman’s risk of high blood pressure in pregnancy too. And it can put them at higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes after their baby is born. “Many women can control their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone,” Dr. Robles says. “But we also have medications we can use.” Women with gestational diabetes could meet with a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist as often as every week, says Deeann Powell, Diabetes Program Coordinator. “If they can keep their blood sugar under control and learn healthy lifestyle habits, they can lower their risk of birth and pregnancy complications and even reduce their increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes after the baby is born,” Deeann says. Connect with us Visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/ Diabetes to learn more about our diabetes care. If you have gestational diabetes, call 817.551.2706 to find out if you’re eligible for free visits with a diabetes educator. Checking blood sugar Being active Following a healthy eating plan
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