Diabetes Pregnancy

Planning ahead is important if you want a baby and having type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Diabetes pregnancy needs strict blood glucose control even before pregnancy.

Important to diabetics who want baby

High blood glucose can be harmful to both for mother and her unborn baby. Even before become pregnant, blood glucose should be close to the normal range. Keeping blood glucose near normal before and during pregnancy helps protect both mother and baby.

Insulin needs may change when pregnant, doctor may advice to take more insulin and check blood glucose more often. If you take diabetes pills, you’ll take insulin instead when you’re pregnant.

Diabetes tips - before and during pregnancy

Work with your health care team to get your blood glucose as close to the normal range as possible.
See a doctor who has experience in taking care of pregnant women with diabetes.
Have your eyes and kidneys checked, because pregnancy can make it worse.
Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or use harmful drugs.
Follow the meal plan you get from your dietitian or diabetes educator to make sure you and your unborn baby have a healthy diet.

If you’re already pregnant, see your doctor right away. It’s not too late to bring your blood glucose close to normal so that you’ll stay healthy during the rest of your pregnancy.

Diabetes pregnancy management

You can manage your diabetes by simple meals plan, physically active and insulin treatment:

Meals - limit sweets, eat 3 small meals and 1 to 3 snacks per day, maintain your meals time, and include fiber in your meals in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole-grains.
Physical activity - walking and swimming, can help you reach your blood glucose targets.
Some need extra insulin than normal to reach their blood glucose targets. Insulin is not harmful for your baby, but controlled blood glucose is beneficial to your baby.
Monitor blood glucose level, you may be asked to check your blood glucose more often than usual.
Your blood glucose level should be not above 95 (on awakening), not above 140 (1 hour after a meal), not above 120 (2 hours after a meal).
Each time you check your blood glucose, record the results properly and take it with you when you visit your health care team. If your results are often out of range, they will suggest ways to reach the targets.

Breast feed your child

Breast feeding is good for the child even if you are diabetes

Some women wonder whether breast feeding is OK after they have had gestational diabetes. Breast feeding is recommended for most babies, including those whose mothers had gestational diabetes.

Your child’s risk for type 2 diabetes may be lower if you breast-feed your baby and if your child maintains a healthy weight.

Important to diabetics who want baby

Diabetes tips - before and during pregnancy

Diabetes pregnancy management

Breast feed your child

Next: Gestational diabetes