Complications

Pregnancy
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During pregnancy, women with any type of diabetes are at the risk of various complications if their condition is not monitored or managed properly.
Before conception, women should obtain target glucose levels to prevent potential organ damage to the fetus (3 to 6 months in advanced is advised).
High blood glucose levels during pregnancy can cause:
  • Complications during delivery
    • For example, excessive weight gain in the fetus. The baby could turn out very large -10 pounds or more- making vaginal birth more difficult.
  • Extra glucose in the placenta can trigger your baby’s pancreas to make extra insulin. This can cause the baby to grow too large.

    Image courtesy of dream designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

    Image courtesy of dream designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  • Trauma in the mother and child
  • Miscarriage or stillbirth
  • Birth defects
    • During the first few weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s brain, heart, kidneys, and lungs are being developed. High blood sugar levels are harmful to the development process.
  • A sudden drop in blood glucose in the child after birth
  • And (if exposed to high blood glucose levels over an extended period of time in the womb) a high risk for developing diabetes in the future
Ways to prevent pregnancy complications include:

Image courtesy of Clare Bloomfield / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Clare Bloomfield / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  • Staying physically active
  • Taking a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid daily
    • The health care provider might increase the daily dose to help reduce the risk of birth defects
  • Consulting a dietitian or diabetes educator on creating a healthy mean plan
    • It is important to maintain an eating regimen that keeps blood sugar levels low
    • It is also recommended to consult other specialists, such as an obstetrician, eye specialist, or pediatrician, in addition to your normal health care provider for more detailed advising.
  • Informing your health provider about any medicine you are currently taking to make sure it is safe to take during pregnancy