Which statement demonstrates understanding of self-care for gestational diabetes?

• A. I need to eat fruits and vegetables only.
• B. I will go to the laboratory daily for a glucose test.
• C. I cannot exercise because of the negative effects on insulin production.
• D. I will report signs of infection immediately to my primary health care provider.

Answer: (D)

Self-care in gestational diabetes includes recognizing when medical guidance is needed, especially for infections. An infection acts as a stressor that raises blood glucose by releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. If it’s not treated promptly, hyperglycemia can worsen dehydration and pregnancy outcomes. Reporting signs of infection right away to the primary health care provider ensures timely assessment, treatment, and any needed adjustments to the diabetes plan, supporting both maternal and fetal health.

Balancing other self-care truths helps: a diet of fruits and vegetables only lacks essential protein and fats and can lead to inadequate calories; self-monitoring glucose is done with a home meter rather than requiring daily lab tests; and exercise is generally encouraged to improve glucose control unless there are specific medical restrictions.