If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are planning on getting pregnant, it’s important to plan ahead and get your blood glucose levels under control. You’ll need to keep your blood sugar levels near normal for two to three months before you get pregnant.
If you’re pregnant and have never had diabetes before but have high blood glucose levels, you may have what’s called gestational diabetes. This affects 3 to 8% of pregnancies, so it’s important to get tested for gestational diabetes during pregnancy. This will help ensure the health of both mother and child.
Diabetes Pregnancy
If you’re planning on getting pregnant, and you have diabetes, it’s important to get your blood glucose levels under control for at least 2-3 months before conception. Once you’re pregnant, you’ll need to continue to monitor your blood sugar levels closely to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
After pregnancy, it’s important to maintain blood glucose levels at the target value to avoid any complications. Poorly managed diabetes during pregnancy can lead to a bigger and overweight baby, causing complications during delivery. Additionally, the baby may develop breathing problems after birth.
Gestational diabetes risks
Chance of developing gestational diabetes is more if
Having family history of diabetes,
Prior gestational
Gave birth a baby weight more than 9 pounds
Diagnosed as pre-diabetes
Being over weight or obese
Leading sedentary lifestyle.
Gestational diabetes test
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed by testing blood glucose level. If it is higher than normal, gestational diabetes is confirmed with other tests.
Gestational diabetes treatment
Gestational diabetes can be easily managed by following a nutritious meal plan, being physically active, and taking medication or insulin as prescribed by your doctor. It’s also important to frequently test your blood sugar levels to ensure that they remain within a healthy range.
Gestational diabetes baby
Gestational diabetes only affects the mother after the baby has been formed, which means that there are no birth defects. However, babies may have low blood sugar levels and experience difficulty breathing.
The baby may be larger and heavier than average. If the fetus spends a lot of time in a high-sugar environment inside the mother’s body, the baby’s pancreas will learn to secrete more insulin. That’s why some babies experience a drop in blood sugar levels after they’re born.
Prevent diabetes type 2
Once the baby is delivered, the mother’s blood glucose level usually goes back to normal. However, there’s still a chance for both the mother and child of developing type-2 diabetes later on in life. To avoid this, both should take preventive measures such as being mindful of their food choices, maintaining a healthy weight and size, and staying physically active.
For detailed information on diabetes pregnancy care and gestational diabetes care, follow the links below. You’ll find information on risk factors, diagnosis tests, gestation diabetes fetus/baby, proper treatment and tips to prevent diabetes in the future.
