Women with diabetes should be cautious when planning to have a baby. When you are dealing with diabetes and pregnancy, its especially important to blood sugar levels closer to the target range before having a baby. If not, you and your baby could experience various complications as a result of diabetes and pregnancy. Diabetes is considered one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy. It represents 3.3% of all live births in the United States. Whether you suffer from type 1 or 2 diabetes, there are many steps that you and your health care provider can take to guarantee a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Keep your blood sugar levels in check
High blood sugar levels can harm the baby during the first couple of weeks of pregnancy. That is why you should immediately see your healthcare provider if you have diabetes and are pregnant. Your doctor will make plans to manage this condition and help you have a healthy pregnancy. Here are some of the diabetes and pregnancy complications that you need to watch out for.
Diabetes and pregnancy and your baby
Some of the important organs of a baby; such as the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys – form during the first 8 weeks of your pregnancy. Diabetes or high blood sugar levels can be quite harmful during this period. It may increase the chances of your baby having birth defects such as brain, spine or heart defects. It’s more important that ever to make sure your blood sugar level’s stay within the normal range to decrease your chances of birth defects.
Diabetes and the birth of your baby
Diabetes and pregnancy can affect your baby. Your baby could be at risk of being born too early, or being born prematurely. Your baby may have breathing difficulties, and weigh more than normal under such conditions. On the other hand, high blood sugar levels can increase your chance of having a miscarriage, or a stillborn baby. Managing your blood sugar levels and seeing your doctor during pregnancy is the best way to decrease the risk of the above complications.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Even if you have been suffering from type 2 diabetes for many years. You may benefit from following a diabetic diet, and consulting your doctor in regards to an exercise plan during your pregnancy. If you have relied on oral diabetic medications, your doctor may ask you make some changes during your pregnancy. As you get closer to your delivery date, your diet, exercise plan, and medication’s may change one again.
Diabetes and your health during Pregnancy
Diabetes and pregnancy can increase the complications of diabetes. Narrowing/clogging of the blood vessels in your eye’s and kidney’s because, of high blood sugar levels can cause lifelong visual and kidney problems. During pregnancy your chances of developing preeclampsia, also known as toxemia. This is when you have high blood pressure and have too much protein in the urine. This can happen during the second half of your pregnancy. Preeclampsia can be life-threatening to both you and your baby. If you suffer from this condition and have reached 37 weeks of pregnancy, your healthcare provider may want to deliver your baby early, for the safety of you and your baby. being on the look out for diabetes and pregnancy complications can decrease complications during pregnancy.
In conclusion, regular visits to your doctor is recommended to make sure you have a safe and and delivery. Diabetes can be a complicated condition that requires frequent checks to ensure you and your baby don’t have complications, or lifelong effects from diabetes.
