If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes before getting pregnant here’s all of the information you need to know to reduce the risks for both yourself and your child.

Preparing for Pregnancy: When You Have Diabetes

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes there are a variety of precautions and steps you can take to ensure that you and your future child’s health. If your glucose levels are too high for example, you may increase the risk of birth defects for your child.

If your glucose levels during the first trimester of pregnancy are too high, it can cause a miscarriage. The first trimester is when the baby’s organs are forming and growing fastest, which is why the baby is most susceptible to injury. It is vitally important to lower your glucose levels before getting pregnant.

What Are the Risks  During Pregnancy, if You Have Diabetes ?

In case the mother has high blood sugar levels, some of the associated risks are:

• Birth defects in the child
• Miscarriage
• Premature delivery
• Preeclampsia in the mother
• Jaundice in the mother
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficult or impossible delivery, making a C-section procedure unavoidable
• Urinary infections

How to Reduce Risks During Pregnancy if You Have Diabetes

Some prenatal tips can greatly reduce the risk of health problems and will set you on the path to a healthier lifestyle:

• Seek a doctor who specializes in diabetes for pregnant women. They can help handle high-risk pregnancies and be on the lookout for any special problems that may occur.
• Check your blood glucose levels often. While diabetes control can be challenging, it is even more difficult during pregnancy due to hormone changes. Aim to reach your blood glucose target as quickly as possible to reduce risk of complications to you and your baby.
• Use insulin. This is the best choice across the board for pregnant women as it can really help to normalize glucose levels and it doesn’t cross into the placenta. Therefore, the baby will not be affected and you can ensure that there will be no negative or adverse effects.
• Take away diabetes pills. While pills may be necessary for people with type 2 diabetes, they most likely can’t be used during pregnancy. Pills can affect hormone levels in the baby.
• Maintain a strict and healthy diet. Along with insulin, a balanced diet can help get your glucose levels back on track. While healthy eating is an important practice to follow throughout your whole life, it is even more important during pregnancy. Try incorporating more vegetables, whole grains, fruits, beans, lean meats, fish, and nonfat dairy products into your diet.
• Keep track of your weight gain. If you are too thin during the start of pregnancy, you will need to gain much more to establish healthy bodies for both you and the baby. If you are overweight or obese, you shouldn’t gain much more weight.
• Make sure to get plenty of exercise. While you shouldn’t do anything too strenuous, it is important to exercise to reduce the chance of high blood pressure, heart disease, and nerve damage.

Delivery and Beyond

If you keep these healthy habits, you will likely carry the baby to term without further health problems. Your doctors will continue to work with you to keep your glucose levels under control the whole time, so you can rest assured that you and your baby will be just fine.