Diabetes during pregnancy

Diabetes is a serious condition in which your body cannot properly control the amount of sugar in your blood because it lacks insulin. Diabetes is the most common medical complication during pregnancy, accounting for 3.3% of all live births. Regardless of your type of diabetes, there are many steps you and your healthcare team can take to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

What are the causes and symptoms of diabetes?

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that requires daily insulin administration. Type 1 symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue.

Type 2 symptoms include slow-healing bladder or kidney infections, increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, and fatigue. This form of diabetes is often associated with older age, obesity, family history, history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and may be more common in certain ethnic groups.

How is pre-existing diabetes treated during my pregnancy?

Whether you are trying to conceive or are already pregnant, treating diabetes during pregnancy is vital to your health and that of your baby.

Take the time to build your medical team and develop a blood sugar care plan. Frequent contact with the doctor is necessary to control blood sugar levels and monitor your health and the health of your child.

Talk to your doctor or dietitian to create a healthy eating plan. Proper nutrition will help control blood sugar levels before and after conception.

Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking for diabetes or any other health condition so that you can take the safest medications during pregnancy.

Make an appointment with the appropriate high-risk specialists. Specialists may include a perinatologist, who treats women with high-risk pregnancies, and an endocrinologist, who treats women with diabetes and other conditions.

Stay physically active. You want to be in the best physical shape during your pregnancy.

What are hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and how can they affect my pregnancy?

Both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are common in women with pre-existing diabetes. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels are too low. When blood sugar levels are low, your body cannot get the energy it needs.

You may experience this problem if you:

Experiencing blurred vision
Having unexplained fatigue
Concerned about sudden changes in your mood

Hypoglycemia can be triggered by:

Skipping or delaying meals
Eating portions that are too small
Overexerting yourself physically

Typically, hypoglycemia is treated by eating or drinking something containing sugar, such as orange juice. Hyperglycemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough insulin or can't use insulin properly.

You may experience this problem if you:

Always thirsty
Suddenly losing weight
Using the bathroom often

Hyperglycemia can be triggered by:

Improper balance in your food consumption
Problems with the amount of insulin you are taking
Stress
Sickness
Lack of physical movement
Typically hyperglycemia is treated by adjusting your insulin dosages.

What are the risks of diabetes for my unborn child?

There are several potentially negative health risks to the baby when the mother has diabetes.

Macrosomia is a condition in which your baby becomes too big due to excess insulin passing through the placenta. A large baby can make vaginal delivery difficult and increase the risk of injury to the baby during childbirth.

Low blood sugar or low blood sugar can develop soon after birth due to high insulin levels. Controlling your own blood sugar can help reduce your child's risk of low blood sugar.

Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes that can sometimes be associated with diabetes during pregnancy. Your pediatrician will help you with a plan to alleviate this condition for your newborn.

What are other considerations?

There are a few more things to keep in mind:

During labor and delivery, your blood sugar levels will be closely monitored to ensure a safe delivery. Partnering with your healthcare team and support partner will help alleviate any problems you may have during childbirth.
Be sure to supplement your postpartum care to reach a healthy weight through daily exercise and a healthy diet. Taking care of your body after giving birth is important for controlling blood sugar levels and staying healthy.
Research and decide on key elements regarding your baby's nutrition after birth. Some studies show that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of diabetes in a newborn.

Every year, thousands of women can treat their diabetes during pregnancy with favorable results. Remember to control your blood sugar levels, prioritize proper nutrition and physical activity, and stay in touch with your healthcare provider. Medication for your diabetes is essential to your health and the success of future pregnancies.