Diabetes is a chronic disease where our body either cannot produce enough insulin or use the produced insulin effectively. Diabetes can be quite dangerous, and it must be monitored and treated regularly and with caution. Adding pregnancy to this condition can bring certain health complications, and in today’s article, we will discuss potential diabetes and pregnancy complications.
Places such as My OBGYN Specialists offer support and guidance to pregnant women who also have diabetes, so do not hesitate to seek help because having diabetes during pregnancy can affect both you and your future child. To mitigate the risks, you need to be informed and monitored by a medical expert and be aware of any changes that might occur during this time.
Most often, women who are balancing diabetes and pregnancy go on to have a healthy child, but you need to be aware of the risks in order to deliver a healthy baby. Keep your doctor informed about everything that is occurring, and let them support you in this process.
Diabetes and Pregnancy
The information shared here will be relevant to persons who suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes and who developed the condition before getting pregnant. It will not discuss gestational diabetes, which most often goes away after you have delivered the baby.
When a pregnant woman is suffering from diabetes, it can influence her in multiple ways:
- Delivering a large baby (macrosomia), which entails a difficult delivery, induced labor, or a C-section
- Going through a miscarriage
- Making existing issues such as diabetic retinopathy or nephropathy (issues with the kidneys and eyes) worse
When the future mother has diabetes during the pregnancy, the baby can be affected in the following ways:
- Develop health issues after they are born, such as breathing problems, heart issues, hospitalization
- Develop diabetes later on or suffer from obesity
- Higher chances of the baby being born with certain congenital disabilities (nervous system and heart abnormalities)
- Higher chances of the baby being stillborn or dying right after being born
Diabetes and Pregnancy Symptoms
As mentioned, diabetes and pregnancy can interact in different ways, and women with diabetes need to manage their condition carefully during pregnancy. Here are some diabetes and pregnancy symptoms to pay attention to:
- Pre-existing Diabetes: Women who already have diabetes before becoming pregnant, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes, need to monitor and manage their blood sugar levels closely. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) symptoms can include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss. Symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can consist of shakiness, dizziness, sweating, confusion, and weakness.
- Gestational Diabetes: Some women develop diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes. It typically occurs in the second or third trimester and usually resolves after delivery. Symptoms of gestational diabetes can include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.
- Increased Insulin Needs: During pregnancy, hormonal changes can affect insulin sensitivity, and women with diabetes may require adjustments to their insulin or medication dosages. Working closely with healthcare professionals to maintain stable blood sugar levels is crucial.
Diabetic and Pregnant Risks Reduction
Risk reduction when it comes to diabetes and pregnancy complications mostly includes controlling your diabetes before, during, and after the pregnancy.
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and medication management (if necessary) are essential for managing diabetes during pregnancy. Healthcare providers may recommend additional prenatal visits and specialized care to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
It is important for women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant to work closely with their healthcare team, including obstetricians and certified diabetologists, to ensure the best possible outcomes for both the baby and the mother.
Women often undergo monthly blood tests which measure the glucose levels in their blood. The optimal result is 6.5% or lower, so before getting pregnant, balance your glucose levels. Your chosen doctor can be of great help in this regard. If your results show 10% or more, it is highly advised not to conceive before lowering your glucose levels. This can be very harmful to both the mother and the child, so be mindful.
For cases of type 1 diabetes, patients use testing strips and a monitor in order to test the ketone levels in the blood and check for ketoacidosis, which indicates the presence of toxic chemicals called ketones in the blood.
Diabetes and Pregnancy Treatments
Here are some common treatments and strategies used to control diabetes during pregnancy:
- Blood glucose monitoring: Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is crucial to ensure they stay within a target range. You can also try self-monitoring of blood glucose using a glucose meter and keeping a results log.
- Healthy diet: A professional dietitian will be able to help create a diet plan that ensures adequate nutrition for the baby and the mother while assisting them in controlling blood glucose levels. The plan includes balanced meals with controlled carbohydrate and sugar intake.
- Regular physical activity: Doing regular exercises recommended by your chosen healthcare provider can help lower blood sugar levels. Physical activity should be adjusted to the person’s capabilities and the pregnancy stage.
- Insulin therapy: For women with pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes that cannot be controlled through diet and exercise alone, insulin therapy may be required. Insulin is safe to use during pregnancy, and it is usually injected.
- Oral medications: Some oral diabetes medications may be safe to use during pregnancy, but it depends on the specific medication. In many cases, insulin is the preferred choice to manage blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Folic acid is very often prescribed to women in the early stages of pregnancy.
- Frequent prenatal checkups: Regular visits to your doctor are necessary to monitor your health and the development of your baby. These appointments often involve checking blood sugar levels, weight, and blood pressure and performing ultrasounds to monitor fetal growth.
These treatment options should be discussed and agreed upon with your chosen doctor. It is not recommended to start taking any type of diabetes treatment without previous consultation with a trained professional.
Contact Us!
Having diabetes and being pregnant does sound a bit scary. Diabetes as a condition can be quite troublesome, and it demands constant attention and care. But things are not that complicated. Choosing a team of experts who will monitor your health and the development of your baby has never been easier. We created a safe, supportive space for future mothers to come and ask for guidance and support.
Our team is here for you at any time, so do not hesitate to contact us. We will ensure that you and your baby are healthy and happy and that the pregnancy, as well as the delivery, are successful and pleasant as much as possible. We are here!