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Ganesh Talkies, Kolkata
Ganesh Talkies, Kolkata
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Welcome to the blog page of Dr. Megha Khanna, one of the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata.
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it also brings significant hormonal and metabolic changes in a woman’s body. One such condition that can develop during pregnancy is gestational diabetes. As the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata, I often counsel expecting mothers who are anxious after being diagnosed with this condition. The good news is—with proper care, awareness, and medical guidance—gestational diabetes can be effectively managed to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, usually in the second or third trimester. It occurs when pregnancy hormones interfere with the body’s ability to use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels. Unlike type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes usually disappears after delivery, but it still requires careful monitoring.
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help the baby grow. However, these hormones can also block insulin action in the mother’s body. When insulin resistance increases and the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels, gestational diabetes develops.
Some common risk factors include:
Consulting the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata early in pregnancy can help identify these risk factors and ensure timely screening.
If not managed properly, gestational diabetes can lead to several complications for the mother, such as:
Proper medical supervision, lifestyle changes, and regular blood sugar monitoring significantly reduce these risks.
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can also affect the baby’s health, both before and after birth:
This is why expert prenatal care from the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata plays a crucial role in ensuring fetal well-being.
Gestational diabetes is usually diagnosed through a glucose screening test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Women with higher risk factors may be tested earlier. Early detection allows for timely intervention and better pregnancy outcomes.
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The cornerstone of managing gestational diabetes includes:
With proper guidance from the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata, most women can maintain healthy blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy.
While gestational diabetes cannot always be prevented, adopting a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy can significantly lower the risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating nutritious foods, and staying active are essential preventive measures.
In most cases, blood sugar levels return to normal after childbirth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes should undergo regular follow-ups, as they are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Long-term lifestyle modifications and medical guidance remain important.
Managing gestational diabetes through diet and lifestyle changes is crucial for maintaining stable blood sugar levels and ensuring a healthy pregnancy. As Dr. Megha Khanna, one of the best lady gynecologists in Kolkata, I recommend personalized plans that prioritize balanced nutrition and safe activity.
Focus on carbohydrate control, as they directly impact blood sugar. Aim for 40-50% of daily calories from complex carbs like whole grains, distributed evenly across three meals and 2-3 snacks to prevent spikes.
Include high-fiber foods such as vegetables, legumes, and berries, which slow glucose absorption. The best lady gynecologist in Kolkata advises pairing carbs with lean proteins (chicken, fish, eggs, tofu) and healthy fats (avocados, nuts) for better control.
Avoid sugary drinks, pastries, and processed cereals, as they cause rapid spikes. Gestational diabetes management thrives on portion control—use a plate method: half veggies, quarter protein, quarter carbs.
Eat every 2-3 hours: breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner. This stabilizes levels, as endorsed by experts in gestational diabetes care.
Sample Daily Menu:
| Meal | Foods |
| Breakfast | Oats with nuts and berries |
| Snack 1 | Greek yogurt with cucumber |
| Lunch | Grilled chicken salad with quinoa |
| Snack 2 | A handful of almonds and an apple |
| Dinner | Lentil curry with brown rice and veggies |
Dr. Megha Khanna, the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata, tailors such plans during consultations for optimal gestational diabetes outcomes.
Engage in 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, like brisk walking after meals, to enhance insulin sensitivity. Start slow and consult your gynecologist first.
Monitor blood sugar 4-6 times daily, track weight gain (aim for 5-9 kg total), and stay hydrated with water. Gestational diabetes responds well to these habits in 70-85% of cases without medication.
Regular prenatal check-ups with the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata like Dr. Megha Khanna ensure adjustments as needed. Postpartum screening is vital to prevent type 2 diabetes later.
Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes, a condition that affects blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Women at highest risk often share traits like obesity or family history, and early screening is key for management.
Gestational diabetes risk rises with overweight or obesity (BMI over 25-30 before pregnancy), as excess fat contributes to insulin resistance. Advanced maternal age, especially over 35, heightens vulnerability due to declining metabolic efficiency.
A family history of type 2 diabetes in parents or siblings signals genetic predisposition, making close monitoring essential. Previous gestational diabetes or delivering a macrosomic baby (over 4 kg) strongly predicts recurrence.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) disrupts hormones and insulin, elevating gestational diabetes odds. Physical inactivity before or during pregnancy worsens insulin sensitivity.
Certain ethnicities face higher rates, including South Asian, Hispanic, Black, and Native American women, partly due to genetic and lifestyle overlaps relevant in places like Kolkata.
Dr. Megha Khanna, one of the best lady gynecologists in Kolkata, urges high-risk women to screen early (before 24 weeks) for gestational diabetes prevention.
Consulting the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata ensures tailored risk assessment and proactive steps like diet tweaks.
Preventing gestational diabetes in high-risk pregnancies in India focuses on preconception preparation, early screening, and culturally adapted lifestyle changes amid rising urban prevalence (10-14%). High-risk women benefit most from weight management and balanced Indian diets.
Achieve a healthy BMI (18.5-23 for Indians) before conception through diet and exercise, as obesity doubles risk in South Asians. High-risk women (e.g., age >35, family history, PCOS) should screen early (<20 weeks) per national guidelines.
Participate in antenatal programs like WINGS in India, offering counseling, nutrition therapy, and community health worker support for rural access. Dr. Megha Khanna, one of the best lady gynecologists in Kolkata, advocates early intervention for gestational diabetes prevention.
Emphasize low-GI Indian foods: whole grains (oats, millets, brown rice, quinoa), high-fiber dals, sprouts, green veggies (spinach, bhindi), and lean proteins (fish, eggs, paneer). Limit refined carbs like white rice, maida, potatoes, sweets, and sugary drinks.
Sample Indian Meal Plan:
| Meal | Foods |
| Breakfast | Oats upma with veggies, curd |
| Snack | Sprouts salad, handful almonds |
| Lunch | Millet roti, dal, sabzi, salad |
| Snack | Apple with yogurt |
| Dinner | Grilled fish/chicken, brown rice, greens |
Portion control and hydration (8+ glasses water) stabilize blood sugar; avoid fasting common in some Indian traditions.
Engage in 30 minutes daily moderate activity like brisk walking, prenatal yoga, swimming, or stationary cycling—safe and effective for insulin sensitivity in Indian women. Group or facility-based sessions reduce risk further.
Aim for 7-8 hours sleep, manage stress via yoga, and limit weight gain (5-9 kg). Regular prenatal visits ensure monitoring.
Self-monitor blood sugar if advised, attend monthly check-ups, and follow postpartum follow-up to avert type 2 diabetes. In Kolkata, the best lady gynecologist like Dr. Megha Khanna provides holistic gestational diabetes prevention tailored to Indian lifestyles.
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is the cornerstone of managing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in India, focusing on balanced, culturally appropriate diets to control blood sugar while meeting pregnancy needs (1800-2200 kcal/day). Indian guidelines emphasize low-glycemic index (GI) traditional foods, carb distribution, and fiber to avoid insulin needs in 70-80% of cases.
Distribute carbs evenly (175-200g/day, 40-50% of calories) across 3 meals and 2-3 snacks every 2-3 hours to prevent spikes. Prioritize high-fiber (25-30g/day), low-GI foods like whole grains, pulses, and non-starchy veggies; limit refined sugars and fats.
Pair carbs with proteins and fats for stability. Hydrate with 8-10 glasses water; monitor portions via plate method (½ veggies, ¼ protein, ¼ carbs). Dr. Megha Khanna, one of the best lady gynecologists in Kolkata, tailors MNT to local diets like Bengali fish curries.
Avoid: Sweets (mithai), white rice/maida, potatoes, fried snacks.
Gestational diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy, usually in the second or third trimester, even if the woman never had diabetes before.
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to a large baby (macrosomia), preterm birth, breathing problems at birth, and a higher risk of low blood sugar in the newborn.
Yes, it increases the risk of high blood pressure, preeclampsia, difficult delivery, and the chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
It is usually managed through a healthy diet, regular exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and sometimes insulin or medication if needed.
In most cases, blood sugar levels return to normal after childbirth, but regular follow-up is important as there is a higher risk of diabetes in future pregnancies.
Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes can feel overwhelming, but it does not mean you cannot have a safe and healthy pregnancy. With early diagnosis, proper care, and expert medical supervision, complications can be minimized effectively. If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, consulting Dr. Megha Khanna, one of the best lady gynecologist in Kolkata can help you navigate your pregnancy journey with confidence and peace of mind.
