Diabetic Mothers Can Have A Healthy Pregnancy
This is a special guest post by a fellow blogger, prompted by a new health concern in my life: diabetes. It's always been lurking in my family history, but I did not expect to be forced to deal with it so early in life, and especially in pregnancy. Right now, I only have gestational diabetes - which means it should go away when I give birth. At first, the diagnosis seems tragic, but it's really just an inconvenience. However, the condition prompted more tests, which revealed that I will more than likely experience Type 1 diabetes in the next 6 months to 15 years.
Naturally, I have a lot of questions and concerns about how this will affect my current and future pregnancies. Hopefully the following article will give you an overview of what to expect as you experience or consider pregnancy with any type of diabetes.
Diabetic Mothers Can Have A Healthy Pregnancy
by Katie Moore
For a woman with diabetes, the thought of pregnancy may seem worrisome. With a great doctor and a healthy management plan, however you can still enjoy pregnancy and have a healthy baby. Managing your condition carefully is the key to a positive outcome for both mother and baby.
As a result of your diabetes, your pregnancy may be considered high-risk. This does not mean that you are doomed to months of worry that your baby will not be healthy. It simply means that, as an expectant, diabetic mother, you will need close monitoring throughout the course of your pregnancy. Studies show that diabetic women who keep close watches on their sugar levels have equal chances of delivering a normal, healthy baby as non-diabetic women.
Before getting pregnant, you may want to set a personal goal of keeping your sugar level in the target area for several weeks. Not only will this allow you to conceive when you are experiencing optimal health, but it will also give you a head start on managing your diabetes during pregnancy. By giving yourself a "practice period," you will be used to the dietary and lifestyle changes that pregnancy will bring before you become pregnant.
If you keep your blood glucose at normal levels at conception and during the first few weeks of pregnancy, you will increase your chances of delivering a child that is free from birth defects. Testing your sugar levels four or five times a day with a blood glucose meter will help you to maintain proper glucose levels all day long. Your doctor can give you a list of specific times of day when you should be testing.
Although getting off of a strict diabetic diet can be tempting when pregnancy cravings hit, you should remember that your blood glucose level has a great impact on your developing baby. Having optimal levels in the first trimester will lead to the proper development of your baby's lungs, heart and kidneys. Watching your diet and exercising will help you manage your glucose levels properly.
Diabetic mothers, especially, need the care of a doctor throughout pregnancy. As soon as you know you are pregnant, make an appointment with your obstetrician. Be sure you tell the receptionist you are diabetic, since the doctor may want to see you sooner than the typical first pregnancy visit at eight to ten weeks gestation. As you begin to plan for delivery, ask your doctor about your options and how they’ll affect your condition. Options like pain management medicine and cord blood banking may bring up many questions that your doctor is best qualified to answer.
If you experience morning sickness during the first trimester, you should consult your doctor for advice on managing your blood glucose levels when you cannot eat much. Your doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce nausea, so that you can regulate your sugar properly. After delivery, you will probably not need as much insulin as you did before pregnancy, at least for a few weeks. However, you should watch your sugar levels carefully as your body adjusts to its non-pregnant state. Having snacks handy at all times can be a good cautionary measure in the first few transitional weeks.
The most important thing is to be confident in the fact that diabetic women have successful pregnancies all of the time. By listening to your doctor and being proactive in your own healthcare, you too can have a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.
“This is a guest post written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the Mom-o-sphere of the blogging world. Just after becoming a Mom herself, Katie took to blogging to share her knowledge and passion for motherhood, pregnancy, children, fitness and overall health. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing and researching, and connecting with others! If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog “Moore From Katie,” or her twitter @moorekm26."
For a woman with diabetes, the thought of pregnancy may seem worrisome. With a great doctor and a healthy management plan, however you can still enjoy pregnancy and have a healthy baby. Managing your condition carefully is the key to a positive outcome for both mother and baby.
As a result of your diabetes, your pregnancy may be considered high-risk. This does not mean that you are doomed to months of worry that your baby will not be healthy. It simply means that, as an expectant, diabetic mother, you will need close monitoring throughout the course of your pregnancy. Studies show that diabetic women who keep close watches on their sugar levels have equal chances of delivering a normal, healthy baby as non-diabetic women.
Before getting pregnant, you may want to set a personal goal of keeping your sugar level in the target area for several weeks. Not only will this allow you to conceive when you are experiencing optimal health, but it will also give you a head start on managing your diabetes during pregnancy. By giving yourself a "practice period," you will be used to the dietary and lifestyle changes that pregnancy will bring before you become pregnant.
If you keep your blood glucose at normal levels at conception and during the first few weeks of pregnancy, you will increase your chances of delivering a child that is free from birth defects. Testing your sugar levels four or five times a day with a blood glucose meter will help you to maintain proper glucose levels all day long. Your doctor can give you a list of specific times of day when you should be testing.
Although getting off of a strict diabetic diet can be tempting when pregnancy cravings hit, you should remember that your blood glucose level has a great impact on your developing baby. Having optimal levels in the first trimester will lead to the proper development of your baby's lungs, heart and kidneys. Watching your diet and exercising will help you manage your glucose levels properly.
Diabetic mothers, especially, need the care of a doctor throughout pregnancy. As soon as you know you are pregnant, make an appointment with your obstetrician. Be sure you tell the receptionist you are diabetic, since the doctor may want to see you sooner than the typical first pregnancy visit at eight to ten weeks gestation. As you begin to plan for delivery, ask your doctor about your options and how they’ll affect your condition. Options like pain management medicine and cord blood banking may bring up many questions that your doctor is best qualified to answer.
If you experience morning sickness during the first trimester, you should consult your doctor for advice on managing your blood glucose levels when you cannot eat much. Your doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce nausea, so that you can regulate your sugar properly. After delivery, you will probably not need as much insulin as you did before pregnancy, at least for a few weeks. However, you should watch your sugar levels carefully as your body adjusts to its non-pregnant state. Having snacks handy at all times can be a good cautionary measure in the first few transitional weeks.
The most important thing is to be confident in the fact that diabetic women have successful pregnancies all of the time. By listening to your doctor and being proactive in your own healthcare, you too can have a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.
“This is a guest post written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the Mom-o-sphere of the blogging world. Just after becoming a Mom herself, Katie took to blogging to share her knowledge and passion for motherhood, pregnancy, children, fitness and overall health. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing and researching, and connecting with others! If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog “Moore From Katie,” or her twitter @moorekm26."
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