Pregnancy & Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood glucose levels. When you are pregnant high blood sugar levels are not good for the baby. Hence, there are two types of diabetes that need to be considered by women who are, or are planning to become pregnant, namely

• Diabetes that preexists a pregnancy and
• Diabetes that develops during the pregnancy, which is commonly referred to as gestational diabetes

With both types of diabetes there can be complications for the baby.Hence, it is important to make sure that you exercise good control over your blood sugar levels.

Preexisting diabetes: As long as diabetes is under control a woman need not worry about complications in pregnancy. It is when her blood sugar levels are out of control, problems and complications occur. Complications include miscarriage, stillbirth and even premature delivery.

Gestational diabetes: This is yet another type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, where changing hormones and weight gain makes it tough for the body to keep up with the needs of insulin. If a woman develops gestational diabetes and is not treated or controlled it could pave the way for stillbirth, fetal growth restriction and poor placental function.

Pregnancy and diabetes presents unique challenges. Hence, it is important to consider one goal – tight blood sugar control and what you need to do to achieve it. This ensures a healthy pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby.