Diabetes During Pregnancy

When diabetes is diagnosed in a woman for the first time during pregnancy, it is known as gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes also affects blood sugar levels (the way in which cells use sugar) like other types of diabetes. During pregnancy, gestational diabetes affects the health of the mother and her baby. It affects about 10% of pregnant women. High blood sugar levels affect the health of the baby and the pregnancy.

Diabetes during pregnancy: Gestational diabetes can be managed with diet and exercise in some cases, but in other cases, insulin is given. Gestational diabetes goes away after the birth of your baby—but it can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes afterwards and also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity for your child as well.

Diabetes before pregnancy

Women who are diabetic before their pregnancy must keep their blood sugar levels under control and also fulfill the demands of pregnancy, which may affect their blood sugar levels.

If you are planning to have a baby, then take appropriate steps to minimize the risk of gestational diabetes.

How does diabetes during pregnancy affect your baby?

Women with diabetes have babies much bigger than normal (macrosomia). A growing baby gets more sugar than required through the placenta. More insulin is produced by the baby’s pancreas to take in the extra sugar, which is converted into fat, making the baby large.

During the early stages of pregnancy—the first 8 to 12 weeks—vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, brain, and lungs, develop. High sugar levels during this stage increase the risk of birth defects (heart, spine, and brain defects).

The risk of miscarriage and a stillborn baby also increase due to high blood glucose levels.

The other complications may include early termination of pregnancy (the baby would be born too early), low blood sugar levels in the baby right after birth, breathing problems, and excess weight of the baby.

High blood glucose levels during pregnancy can also increase the chance that your baby will be born too early, weigh too much, or has breathing problems or low blood glucose right after birth. These are the risks associated with preterm babies: heart problems, breathing problems, vision problems, intestinal problems, and bleeding into the brain.

How can diabetes affect you during pregnancy?

If you are diabetic before your pregnancy, then it can make your eyes and kidneys worse. You will also have increased blood pressure. You may be at a higher risk of developing preeclampsia (an abnormal state of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, fluid retention, and albuminuria that can lead to eclampsia if untreated). This condition can cause very serious health issues for you and your baby. If your condition gets worse, your gynaecologist may consider early delivery before 37 weeks.

C- Section (Caesarean Section)

Pregnant women with uncontrolled diabetes are at an increased risk of needing a Cesarean section (C-section) to deliver the baby. Women who have underwent a C-section to deliver their baby may take longer to recover from childbirth.

How often do you need to check your blood sugar levels during pregnancy?

If you didn’t check your blood sugar levels before pregnancy, then you should start checking them during pregnancy. Ask your gynaecologist about how frequently you should check your blood glucose levels. During pregnancy, your target blood sugar levels may change.

How to manage diabetes?

Women who have diabetes and are planning to have a baby should try to get their blood sugar levels under control, close to normal, before getting pregnant. If you don’t know that you have diabetes and you are already pregnant, then see your doctor as soon as you know that you have diabetes. Your specialist will make a plan—following the plan will help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

• Get your health checkups before and during pregnancy
• Be physically active
• Follow the diet plan as suggested
• Follow the instructions of your diabetologist and gynaecologist
• Take diabetes medicines if you need to

Your diabetes health care team—your obstetrician with experience treating women with diabetes; a diabetes educator; a registered dietitian; and an endocrinologist.

Target blood glucose levels during pregnancy for most pregnant women

• Before meals – 90 mg/dL or less
• One hour after eating – 130 mg/dL to 140 mg/dL or less
• Two hours after eating – 120 mg/dL or less

Bottom Line

If you have gestational diabetes or diabetes before your pregnancy, then meet us for

a safe exercise program or plan, a diet plan from our experts, and a comprehensive care and diabetes management plan. Experts recommend gestational diabetes screening after 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy for asymptomatic women with no previous history of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. See your obstetrician to know your risk and screening.