It can be scary to have diabetes and be pregnant. However diabetic women have healthy pregnancies all the time as long as they know how to care for themselves properly. Most diabetic women will have a team of doctors helping her throughout her pregnancy. This usually includes an obstetrician, endocrinologist, nutritionist, and other doctors as needed. Diabetic women will want to choose an obstetrician knowledgeable of high risk pregnancies and experienced with diabetic pregnant women. Diabetic women should also see their eye specialist throughout the pregnancy to ensure the blood vessels in the eyes are not being damaged.

Controlling Blood Sugar

The most important thing a diabetic expectant mom can do is control her blood sugar very tightly. This will help prevent many potential problems and it is even more important during pregnancy to ensure tight blood sugar control. By controlling blood sugar women will be able to reduce the risk of birth defects, stillbirth, miscarriage, and excess growth. Complications for both mom and baby will also be reduced when diabetes is well managed.

Women with diabetes who are pregnant will need to check their blood sugar levels more often than usual. This is important because it helps ward off both high and low blood sugar. Taking insulin as directed is also very important because it will help regulate blood sugar and keep the mom-to-be and baby as healthy as possible.

The amount of insulin needed will change throughout pregnancy and there are many factors that can affect it. For example, women who vomit frequently throughout their pregnancies may have different insulin requirements. Also, as the placenta grows and the fetus matures the body will need considerably more insulin than normal because the placenta’s hormones can block how the body manages insulin.

Pregnant women with diabetes must eat healthy foods, too, to help regulate their disease. Plenty of fruits and vegetables are needed in addition to whole grains and complex carbohydrates. Getting some exercise is also recommended.

Finally, pregnant diabetic women should see their doctor regularly and make an appointment for any concern or problem that seems out of the ordinary. It can be stressful for diabetic women to go through pregnancy because they are worried about something happening to the baby. However, if the woman works hard at managing her diabetes there is no reason there won’t be a positive outcome.

Posted in Pregnancy

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