If you have diabetes, you may be wondering how it will affect your pregnancy. You are not alone. Every year, about 180,000 pregnant women in the United States have diabetes. That number is rising because more women are getting diabetes and more people with diabetes have children. This condition can affect many things. For instance, you could be hungrier and thirstier than usual and experience different insulin needs during pregnancy.
However, you shouldn’t worry. With good care, a pregnant woman with diabetes can have healthy pregnancies.
What to do before you get pregnant
The best way to have a healthy pregnancy is to plan for it. If you have diabetes, you need to work with your doctor to create a care plan before you get pregnant. This plan will include controlling your diabetes and blood sugar goals for pregnancy. The list of medicines you’ll take and checkups you should have and scheduled a1c during pregnancy should also be a part of the plan. Don’t forget to include special precautions you need to take and a plan for going into labor early.
You and your doctor will also want to make sure that your pregnancy is healthy. This may mean some changes in your diabetes care plan. Just to give one example, your insulin needs during pregnancy will be higher.
You may need some tests to make sure that you are healthy enough for pregnancy. If you are not pregnant yet, it is important to see your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. This is especially important when it comes to type 1 diabetes and pregnancy.
What to do during pregnancy
Once you are pregnant, it is very important to follow your care plan. You will need to see your doctor more often, usually every four weeks. These checkups will allow your doctor to check your baby’s heart rate, measure your belly size to make sure your baby is growing well, and check your blood sugar levels on a1c during pregnancy. He will also test your urine for protein, which can be a sign of problems, give you a flu shot, and check your blood pressure.
During pregnancy, you will also need to do some things yourself to stay healthy. You should test your blood sugar levels regularly, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and take your medicine as directed. All of this will help you regulate your insulin needs during pregnancy as well.
A healthy diet is important for all pregnant women, but it is especially important for women with diabetes. A good diabetic diet for pregnancy consists of enough calories to support your health and your baby’s growth. But you also need to watch your weight. Excess weight can make it harder to control your blood sugar levels and can increase the risk of problems for you and your baby.
A diabetic diet for pregnancy should include things like:
- Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Low-fat protein sources, like fish, chicken, legumes, and low-fat dairy products
- Moderate amounts of healthy fats, coming from things like olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts
Furthermore, you should avoid sugary foods and drinks, processed meats, and high-fat dairy products as much as possible.
What Other Lifestyle Changes Should You Make?
In addition to following a healthy diet, you may need to make other lifestyle changes when you are a pregnant woman. For instance, you shouldn’t smoke (and quit as soon as possible if you’re a smoker). You should also limit your alcohol intake, get enough sleep, exercise, and minimize stress.
What are the effects of diabetes on pregnancy?
If you have diabetes, there is a higher risk that you will have problems during your pregnancy. Luckily, obstetrician care in Bradenton can prevent the possible issues and make your pregnancy a blissful time. These potential problems could be things like:
- Gestational diabetes – This is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It usually goes away after the baby is born, but it increases the risk of both mother and child problems.
- Preterm labor – Labor that starts before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This increases the risk of health problems for the baby.
- Low birth weight – A baby who is born weighing less than 5.5 pounds. Again, this could create health problems for the baby.
- Congenital disabilities – Problems with the baby’s development that occur during pregnancy.
- Cerebral palsy – A condition caused by damage to the brain that can affect movement, coordination, and speech.
- Death – The risk of death is higher for a pregnant woman with diabetes than for pregnant women without diabetes.
How often should you visit your doctor?
You will need to see your doctor more often if you have diabetes. But how often you need to visit your doctor will also depend on the type of diabetes you have, how well you are controlling your blood sugar levels, and whether you are having any problems. It would be good to do a1c during pregnancy, whenever necessary.
Can you develop diabetes during pregnancy?
Yes, it is possible to develop diabetes during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes. It usually goes away after the baby is born, but it increases the risk of problems for both the mother and the child.
How to prepare for delivery
When it comes to type 1 diabetes and pregnancy, it is important to talk to your doctor about how to prepare for delivery. You may need to have a C-section if you have high blood sugar levels or if your baby is large. You may also need to take antibiotics before and after delivery to help protect the baby from any infections that may occur.
What to do after delivery
After you deliver your baby, you will need to continue to take care of yourself. You shouldn’t forget about keeping track of your blood sugar levels, having a diabetic diet for pregnancy, staying active, and taking your medicines as prescribed.
If you have diabetes, it is important to keep track of your blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes and pregnancy require testing your blood sugar levels every day for the first two weeks after you deliver your baby. After that, you should test your blood sugar levels at least once a day. It is also important to see your doctor regularly.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life. But it can be especially challenging for women with diabetes. If you are a pregnant woman with diabetes, it is important to take steps to control your blood sugar levels and keep yourself and your baby healthy. By following a healthy diet and making other lifestyle changes, you can help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
What do you think about this article? Our experts would love to set your mind at ease and ensure your pregnancy is going well. If you have diabetes and are pregnant, call our women’s health clinic to book your next appointment at (941) 500-3100.