Diabetes is when your blood sugar or blood glucose level is too high. It is a condition in which your body cannot control the amount of sugar in your blood because it does not have enough insulin. Gloucose is the body’s main source of energy. Diabetes is a very common pregnancy complication however there are steps you can take to manage it.
If you had diabetes before getting pregnant, you are automatically classified as high risk. This means you may have complications during pregnancy even though it does not necessarily mean it will happen. Your doctor will carefully monitor your pregnancy and work with other specialists to help you have a healthy pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of diabetes ?
There are 2 types of diabetes .
Type 1 diabetes
This is an autoimmune disease that results in the daily dependence on insulin. This is the less common type and is usually diagnosed in childhood and young adulthood. Symptoms include
- increased thirst
- frequent urination
- weight loss
- fatigue
- constant hunger
- blurred vision
Type 2 diabetes
This is the most common type accounting for 90% to 95% of all cases. It is usually associated with certain factors such as obesity, family history, older age, physical inactivity and previous history of gestational diabetes. Symptoms include
- constant hunger
- fatigue
- increased thirst
- frequent urination
- kidney infections that heal slowly
Will diabetes have any effect on my baby during pregnancy ?
Women with diabetes can go on to have healthy babies but it is essential for them to control their blood sugar before and during pregnancy. These are some of the effects of elevated blood sugar on your unborn child.
- babies are more prone to birth defects such as heart defect and neural tube defect.
- babies tend to be larger (macrosomia), about 10 pounds or more. This makes vaginal delivery difficult and increases babies chances of injury during delivery
- babies tend to be hypoglycemic (low sugar level ) shortly after birth
- babies tend to be jaundiced which is yellow discoloration of skin and eyes
- pre existing diabetes increases a woman’s risk of miscarriages and stillbirth
I have diabetes. what precautions should i take before trying to get pregnant?
You should take these steps before trying to get pregnant
Get your diabetes under control about 3 to 6 months before getting pregnant.
Take multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid in it daily. Folic acid reduces your risk of birth defects .
Be physically active.
Let your health care provider know all medications you’re taking during pregnancy so that he can check to see if they are okay during pregnancy.
Develop a healthy meal plan with a dietician.
See high risk specialists such as a perinatologist who treats women with high-risk pregnancies and an endocrinologist who treats women with diabetes and other health conditions.