Diabetes & Pregnancy

In the mid-20th century, women with type 1 diabetes were typically advised against pregnancy. However, medical advances now allow for safe pregnancies with some necessary adjustments, ensuring the health of both mother and baby.

Pre-Existing Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where you have too much sugar (glucose) in your blood.

• In type 1 diabetes, your body cannot make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose move from your blood into your body’s cells. Lack of insulin causes glucose to stay in your bloodstream, causing high blood sugar levels.
• In type 2 diabetes, your cells become less sensitive to the insulin made by your body, so glucose levels build up in your bloodstream. This is known as ‘insulin resistance’.

How Does Pre-Existing Diabetes Affect Pregnancy?

Managing pre-existing diabetes during pregnancy can be challenging as it can impact blood sugar levels. 

If you use insulin, your dosage may need more frequent adjustments. For those with type 2 diabetes, medications may need to be recalibrated, or insulin may need to be introduced. Additionally, blood glucose targets may be altered throughout the pregnancy. If you have type 1 diabetes and are using insulin, pregnancy can cause changes in the usual signs of low blood sugar, increasing the risk of experiencing low blood sugar without being aware of it. In such cases, continuous glucose monitoring could be recommended. This involves using a device that alerts you when your blood sugar levels are dropping, reducing reliance on physical warning signs. 

While low blood sugar doesn't endanger the baby, it's essential for maternal safety and well-being.

Gestational Diabetes

A form of diabetes that is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy (gestation). Similar to other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes impacts how your body processes sugar (glucose), leading to high blood sugar levels that can affect the health of both you and your baby.

The good news is that during pregnancy, you can help manage gestational diabetes through a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise, and, if needed, medication. Keeping your blood sugar levels in check can support your overall health as well as help prevent complications during delivery.

After giving birth, blood sugar levels typically return to normal. However, having had gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. As a result, you will need to undergo more frequent testing for changes in blood sugar levels.

Prevention

There are no guarantees when it comes to preventing gestational diabetes. However, adopting healthy habits before pregnancy can improve your chances. If you've had gestational diabetes, making healthy choices can also lower your risk of experiencing it again in future pregnancies or developing type 2 diabetes later on.

• Eat healthy foods. 
  • Choose foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without compromising taste or nutrition. Watch portion sizes.
• Keep active. 
  • Exercising before and during pregnancy can help protect you from developing gestational diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike. Swim laps. Short bursts of activity — such as parking further away from the store when you run errands or taking a short walk break — all add up.
• Start pregnancy at a healthy weight.
  •  If you're planning to get pregnant, losing extra weight beforehand may help you have a healthier pregnancy. Focus on making lasting changes to your eating habits that can help you through pregnancy, such as eating more vegetables and fruits.
• Don't gain more weight than recommended. 
  • Gaining some weight during pregnancy is typical and healthy. However, gaining too much weight too quickly can increase your risk of gestational diabetes. Ask your healthcare provider what a reasonable amount of weight gain is for you.