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Healthy habits help prevent gestational diabetes
T O W N S V I L L E f a m i l i e s looking for more flexible childcare solutions are turning to au pairs for help.
Mother- of- three Bree Looker has just hired her fifth overseas au pair.
Mrs Looker says the extra pair of hands around the house has been a godsend.
“My husband and I both are defence force members and we have early starts and/ or late finishes,’’ she said.
“Our au pair focuses on child care rather than cleaning our house.’’
Mrs Looker said she believed having an au pair was
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when pregnant an affordable option to other forms of child care.
“Having an au pair is not for every family, but it works very well for ours,’’ she said.
“Having someone staying in your house takes getting used to. I think of it as a share house situation with a lot more open communication.’’
Townsville Baby Sitters in partnership with Sitters4Kids have this year launched an au pair program.
Townsville Baby Sitters owner Debbie Rowan said the au pair program had been a huge success in North Queensland since its launch earlier this year. She said demand for au pairs was strong as families realised it was a more flexible form of childcare than long day care or after- school care, and far cheaper than nannies.
Au pairs are provided with room and board and agree to provide up to 30 hours of childcare a week for “pocket money’’ of between $ 200 and $ 250 a week, although most au pairs are flexible.
Mrs Rowan said an au pair was generally a young woman from a foreign country looking for a new intercultural experience. women have higher blood sugar levels than normal. These blood sugar levels should then return to normal after the pregnancy.
Having high blood sugar levels during the pregnancy can cause problems with both you and your baby.
The main concern is growth problems with the baby ( mainly a big baby) and problems with birth. Usually when the diabetes is well controlled ( by diet, exercise or medication) the risks are small.
“Au pairs assist the host family with ‘ in house’ care of children and light housekeeping duties. In return they gain the opportunity to enhance their English skills, while experiencing life in a safe environment,’’ she said.
“Your kids also benefit from the au pair experience by learning about another culture and possibly another language’’.
For more information about the au pair program in Townsville contact Sitters4Kids on 0434 814 102 or Townsville Baby Sitters on 0417 774 564.
There are a number of risk factors to develop gestational diabetes including obesity, previous gestational diabetes, a THE other day I overheard my Miss- Five- Year- Old using a stern tone when telling her three- year- old brother not to dismantle the wheels of the toy truck.
The harshness in Sophia’s voice took me aback a little. It was stern, with a hint of aloofness. Trouble was, her tone sounded uncomfortably familiar. It didn’t take me long to realise it was the same tone I use on my children when I’m tired, stressed and overwhelmed.
My Miss Five was simply mimicking me . . . in astounding mirror- image accuracy.
`` Wow is that what I sound like when I’m upset,’’ I mused in horror before I asked Sophia to use her “nice” voice when speaking to others.
It was not a proud mummy moment to concede that my five- year- old had already picked up some of my unflattering behaviour. I’m fully aware that being tired, upset or stressed is no excuse for ever speaking to my adored children in an unforgiving or harsh tone.
When I need to get a mess- family history of diabetes, age over 35, polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS) and a previous large baby. age across to my children, and even if I’m at the end of my patience, I realise a firm, controlled voice is far more effective, and appropriate.
Hearing Sophia mimic my negative language proved a timely reminder about how very important it is for me to model positive behaviour to my children at all times, even when I feel exhausted and ZOOB is the moving, mind- building, modelling system that encourages kids to learn, explore and create using the most important tool of all: their imaginations.
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To reduce your risk of getting gestational diabetes in a future pregnancy you should maintain a healthy weight ( BMI 18- 25). It is not recommended to lose weight during the pregnancy, so this should be done before falling pregnant.
Your diet should contain foods high in fibre and low in fat and calories. It is advisable to see a dietitian to have individualised advice and support.
Staying active is also overwhe when I’m positive.
Even they’re
It was not a pro moment to conc five- year- old had already some of my unflattering
react to stressful they are in, learn tions an handle manding construction sets. Appealing to girls, it assists children with spa problem solving and motor skil
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Townsville Families has two packs to giveaway to two reade Simply text your best parenting 0416 905 534 by Thursday 9am Winners will be notified on Thu their names printed in next wee Townsville Families edition. important. Exercising before and during the pregnancy can reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes. You should aim to include 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will not develop gestational diabetes in your next pregnancy, even if you follow all the advice.
But the more healthy habits you have before and during the pregnancy, the better.