Because gestational diabetes can harm the mother and the fetus, early treatment is crucial. The goal of treatment is to maintain glucose (blood sugar) levels equal to those of pregnant women without gestational diabetes. A plan is designed to help the woman keep glucose levels in control. This treatment plan usually includes:

• Healthy diet. Eating the right types of food during pregnancy is important for the health of the mother and the fetus. In women with gestational diabetes, a healthy diet is even more crucial for managing glucose levels. A meal plan may be developed by a:
  
• • Physician
  • Registered dietitian
  • Nutritionist
  • Certified diabetes educator
    
    
  In general, the diet should contain foods that are high in nutrients and low in fat and calories. A recommended diet usually includes:
  
  
  • High-fiber vegetables, fruits and whole grains
  • High-quality proteins
  • Foods low in saturated fat and lacking trans fat
  • Less sugar and fewer starchy snack foods
    
    

  No single diet is right for every woman. A knowledgeable team of medical professionals can design the correct diet based on the woman’s glucose level, activity level and weight.
  

• Exercise. Physical activity is strongly linked to lowering blood glucose by helping to:
  
• • Move sugar from the blood to cells of the body
  • Lower the body's sensitivity to insulin
  • Use less insulin to transport blood glucose
    
    

  In addition to helping control glucose, exercise may relieve some of the discomforts associated with pregnancy. It can help lessen back pain, muscle cramps and difficulty sleeping. In addition, exercise helps prepare the woman for labor and delivery.

  As with all exercise, the woman should consult with her physician before beginning an exercise program. The recommendation from professionals is usually a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day. For the best results, the aerobic exercise should be combined with stretching and strengthening activities. Once cleared by a physician, the woman should exercise consistently to help lower her glucose levels.
  

• Medication. In some women with gestational diabetes, diet and exercise are not enough to control glucose levels. These women may need to take daily medication to help lower blood glucose to a safe level. Insulin, which is injected into the body, is used more often than antidiabetic agents (diabetes pills).
  
  Insulin does not cross the placenta and will not harm the fetus. The safety of antidiabetic agents during pregnancy has not been fully established, although some, such as sulfonylureas, may at times be prescribed. A physician will determine the need for medication and the best type suited for the woman's condition.

In addition, women with gestational diabetes are advised to check the urine for ketones. Ketones are waste products produced when the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. High levels (ketosis) may be dangerous. Ketones are tested by using a special strip to check a urine sample.

Once a woman has had gestational diabetes, a glucose test should be performed annually to check for prediabetes or diabetes. In addition, research has suggested that a blood test showing high levels of the amino acid homocysteine six weeks after delivery can help predict which cases of gestational diabetes are more likely to develop into type 2 diabetes.