Not so many years ago, a woman diagnosed with diabetes was discouraged from having a baby. The concern over the impact of high blood sugar levels on the baby’s development prompted many doctors to advise that the risk was too great.
Today, expectant mothers routinely experience normal, healthy pregnancies despite a diagnosis of diabetes. Awareness, understanding, and planning are key to managing the risks related to diabetes and pregnancy.
Understanding diabetes
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce the insulin needed to convert carbohydrates to energy for the cells. Sugar builds up in the blood, leading to serious and even life-threatening complications. A person may be diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and treatment will may involve dietary changes, taking insulin, or both.
For pregnant women, there could also be the risk of gestational diabetes, in which a woman who has not previously been diabetic develops these issues during pregnancy. For a developing baby, high blood sugar levels can lead to birth defects, including neurological problems and defects in development of the heart and kidneys. Diabetes also can lead to preeclampsia (high blood pressure), preterm birth, miscarriage, and low blood sugar in the newborn.
Ensuring a healthy pregnancy means ensuring your diabetes is well-managed. For women who are being treated for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, planning ahead with their doctor before becoming pregnant is critical.
If you have diabetes and plan to become pregnant:
- Work with your doctor to get your blood sugar level under control. An A1C of 6.5% or less can reduce the risk of birth defects to the same level as a woman who does not have diabetes.
- Follow up with your doctor to adjust medications as needed.
- Lose weight as your doctor advises before becoming pregnant and maintain a healthy weight throughout pregnancy.
- Work with a dietitian and trainer to establish a healthy diet and exercise plan for before and during pregnancy.
- Monitor your blood sugar closely and address low blood sugar quickly.
Gestational diabetes generally develops about halfway through a pregnancy. Doctors will test for it around the 24th week, but an expectant mother may begin to experience symptoms sooner, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, and swelling of the hands and feet that does not go away. Managing gestational diabetes is usually accomplished with diet and exercise and the condition typically resolves after the baby is born.
If you are concerned about gestational diabetes:
- Talk to your doctor about risk factors for developing gestational diabetes, including family history, obesity, and previous pregnancies in which gestational diabetes developed.
- Eat a healthy diet (work with a dietitian for meal planning) and exercise at a medium intensity at least 5 times weekly.
- Monitor your blood sugar and take insulin if directed by your doctor.
- Get tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born and then every 1 to 3 years as directed by your doctor, as experiencing gestational diabetes puts you at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
If you have questions about diabetes and how it may impact your pregnancy, contact Stark Women’s Center for a consultation with one of our physicians.