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Diabetes in pregnancy needs to be well controlled.
As a woman with diabetes who has had 2 healthy babies, I have had to be careful with my blood sugars before I fell pregnant and during the pregnancy.
Women with Type 1 diabetes need to have their blood sugars at an acceptable level before they fall pregnant. If they don't they have a higher chance of having a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Conception:
Diabetes does not usually affect your fertility if your blood sugars are well controlled. If you constantly have high blood sugar you are at risk of poly cystic ovary syndrome. (PCOS).
Your blood sugars need to stay between 4 and 7 mmol/l at all times.
You will also need to visit the doctor to get your long term blood sugar test results. They will usually test for it at 3-6 month intervals. That is the more important result as it shows how good your overall blood sugar control is.
When your long term blood sugar is well controlled you stand a very good chance of a healthy pregnancy.
With Type 1 diabetes you will also need to take folic acid for at least 3 months before you conceive to reduce the risk of birth defects.
When you are pregnant the body goes through many changes.
-Changes in hormones that affect your blood sugar.
-It puts a strain on the kidneys.
-You are more prone to insulin resistance.
This is similar for women who have Type 2 diabetes as well. A type 2 diabetic may need to go on insulin during their pregnancy.
When you conceive you have to make sure that you:
-Check your blood sugar levels regularly.
-Make sure that you are having your eyes checked every trimester as pregnancy can make you more prone to sight problems.
-If you smoke make sure you stop.
-Cut out drinking as well.
-Plan your meals, meet with a dietitian and know how much carbohydrates, protein, sugars, fruits and veg you need to eat.
During the end of your pregnancy you also run the risk of having a very large baby so it is still important to maintain good blood sugar control.
A type 1 diabetes pregnancy should be fine if you are careful and follow all advice given to you.
There is no reason why you won't have a healthy pregnancy and baby.
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I come from a family with diabetes history. I only had diabetes when I was pregnant ie gestation diabetes. It was an eye opening experience for me to truly …
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