Diabetes and Pregnancy, Information and Treatment
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Most women with diabetes who become pregnant have Type 1 diabetes, because this is the type that affects younger women. However, increasing numbers of pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes are being seen.If you have diabetes and want to start a family, there are a number of things to consider. The key to a healthy pregnancy with diabetes is good blood sugar control before, during and after pregnancy.If you are not already doing it, you will be taught how to check your own blood sugar levels (using a finger-prick sample of blood) several times a day before and after meals. Using these results, the amounts of food and insulin can be altered to achieve blood glucose levels ideally 4 to 7 mmol/l (70 to 120 mg/dl) before meals and no more than 10 mmmol/l (180 mg/dl) after meals. Another test called HbA1c or fructosamine will be done to check your diabetes control. Really good control of your diabetes makes it less likely that the baby will grow too large, and also reduces risks of other complications.
Most women with Pregnanacy Gestational Diabetes, can complete pregnancy and begin labor naturally. Some pregnant woman have a slight chance (about 5 percent) of developing preclampsia (toxemia), a sudden onset of high blood pressure associated with protein in the urine, occurring late in pregnancy. If preclampsia develops, your obstetrician may recommend an early delivery.
Gestational diabetes is a complication in about 5% of pregnancies and is on the increase. Where the diabetes can’t be controlled through diet and exercise, insulin therapy is often used to significantly improve the health outcomes for both baby and mother.
“But the use of insulin requires injections and women need to be educated in its use,” Dr Hague says. “Insulin therapy can also cause low blood glucose and weight gain in the mother, whereas use of metformin usually returns blood glucose to normal, rather than dropping it too low, and is also associated with maternal weight loss.
Discussion of prenatal vitamins. Before becoming pregnant, start taking a daily vitamin that contains folic acid. Folic acid has been shown to decrease the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida — a serious condition in which the brain and spinal cord do not form normally. The March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily before conception and in early pregnancy.
Only your doctor can decide what diabetes treatment is right for you. He or she will assess the risks and benefits of your treatment options. Be sure to discuss your health history, including any medicines that you take.
If diet and exercise don’t keep blood sugar controlled, then your doctor will likely prescribe insulin. Remember insulin doesn’t cross the placenta so it has no direct effect on your baby. Although, the thought of daily injections is very unpleasant for most patients oral medications have yet to be proven as effective as insulin in controlling blood sugar during pregnancy. The major side effect of insulin therapy is possible low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Hypoglycemia appears to affect the mother more than the fetus.
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Dr John Anne is a herbal specialist with years of experience in Alternative health care and herbal medicines. This website aims to provide natural home remedies and make a platform where everyone can rate home remedies and share with others. Hope you enjoy this website and put your comments and feedbacks.