Managing diabetes during pregnancy is important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes during pregnancy has increased in recent years, both in women with pre-pregnancy diabetes and those with gestational (pregnancy only) diabetes.
While many women with diabetes have healthy babies, there are risks associated with the disease that deem the pregnancy as high risk. The risks associated with diabetes during pregnancy rise with increasing blood glucose levels. Diabetes affects insulin, which moves glucose from the blood and into the body’s cells where it can be used for energy. If the insulin is not managed properly, glucose levels can rise and create health problems for the mother and baby. For these reasons, it is recommended that expectant women with diabetes seek care from a specialist to ensure the disease is closely monitored.
For pregnant women with diabetes, a maternal fetal medicine specialist can work alongside your OB/GYN to develop a plan of care tailored to your personal needs and medical history. This specialized prenatal care allows the mother and baby to be more closely monitored and can possibly prevent and/or detect any complications that may occur. Maternal fetal medicine services often include:
If diabetes is not managed well during pregnancy, risks can include birth defects, high blood pressure, hydramnios (an increased amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac), stillbirth and macrosomia (larger than average baby).
Glucose levels can be controlled with a combination of eating right, exercising and taking medications, as directed by a health care provider. Monitoring the glucose level is important because some of the birth defects caused by high glucose levels occur during the first eight weeks of pregnancy – before many women know they are pregnant.
Expectant mothers who have diabetes should distribute foods between three meals and two or three snacks each day. It is very important that you do not skip meals. Eating too much at one time can cause your blood sugar to rise too much. Breakfast matters. Blood sugar can be difficult to control in the morning because of normal fluctuations in hormone levels. A breakfast that consists of starch, plus protein, is usually tolerated the best.
At Hattiesburg Clinic, we offer the full spectrum of prenatal, delivery and postpartum care for women with high-risk pregnancies. Talk with your obstetrician to learn more.