Type 2 Diabetes - Does Diabetes Play a Role in Pregnancy?
Type 2 diabetes affects many different aspects of a person's life.
It often determines if an individual will be able to carry out a dream that was very important to them.
So, how about a diabetic woman who would like to have a child? Does diabetes play a role in that, as well? Yes, it does.
With the knowledge Type 2 diabetes can manipulate your body and cause such extreme changes in blood sugar levels as well as other areas, it needs to be an important consideration when having children.
It is not unusual to find a diabetic woman has delayed having children, more than likely for social reasons, and is now planning a pregnancy.
The following key steps will help ensure a healthy baby while staying healthy yourself.
So you have Type 2 diabetes, but you still want to get pregnant.
The most important step of all is to plan ahead.
Experts usually recommend you plan your pregnancy three to six months in advance.
Why? So you can be sure your HbA1c levels are within the normal range.
A normal range shows your diabetes is well-managed and this means the risk of birth defects is much lower.
It goes without saying a would-be mother should always talk to her doctor before becoming pregnant.
This is to give your doctor ample opportunity to examine you and determine if your disease is under control enough to allow pregnancy without any risk to your health.
The following tests are also recommended prior to getting pregnant:
A big concern will be your weight.
Regardless of having Type 2 diabetes, being overweight or obese is a warning your pregnancy may become high risk.
As some women have a tendency to gain large amounts of weight during pregnancy, this is especially difficult for a diabetic to deal with.
Your doctor may advise you to get down to a more manageable weight before trying to conceive.
Much will depend on your blood sugar levels history.
The best way to get a good determination is to look back over your recent history of blood sugar readings.
This will also give your doctor a better understanding of how your blood sugar could fluctuate during pregnancy, or even if it is advisable to wait until your blood sugar levels are brought down to a more satisfactory range for several months.
Medication is also a major factor.
Generally the older types of insulin are considered safe for use during pregnancy.
At this time it is not clear if the newer types of insulin are safe to use.
If you are using insulin to help control your Type 2 diabetes, it may be necessary to change your dosage and brand.
If this is the case, it will require an adjustment period in order to ensure your body adjusts accordingly.
If you have been prescribed metformin or another oral diabetic medication to control your blood sugar, don't be surprised to find your doctor suggest you change to insulin injections during your pregnancy.
No matter what, a healthy pregnancy depends on how well you manage your disease.
If you keep your blood sugar levels as close as possible to normal during your entire pregnancy, your chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby are as good as a non-diabetic woman's.
It often determines if an individual will be able to carry out a dream that was very important to them.
So, how about a diabetic woman who would like to have a child? Does diabetes play a role in that, as well? Yes, it does.
With the knowledge Type 2 diabetes can manipulate your body and cause such extreme changes in blood sugar levels as well as other areas, it needs to be an important consideration when having children.
It is not unusual to find a diabetic woman has delayed having children, more than likely for social reasons, and is now planning a pregnancy.
The following key steps will help ensure a healthy baby while staying healthy yourself.
So you have Type 2 diabetes, but you still want to get pregnant.
The most important step of all is to plan ahead.
Experts usually recommend you plan your pregnancy three to six months in advance.
Why? So you can be sure your HbA1c levels are within the normal range.
A normal range shows your diabetes is well-managed and this means the risk of birth defects is much lower.
It goes without saying a would-be mother should always talk to her doctor before becoming pregnant.
This is to give your doctor ample opportunity to examine you and determine if your disease is under control enough to allow pregnancy without any risk to your health.
The following tests are also recommended prior to getting pregnant:
- an eye examination to rule out eye disease brought about due to high blood sugar levels
- blood pressure measurement
- urine testing to check on kidney function
- a general gynecological examination
- a pap test, and screening for any vaginal infections
- a general check up to eliminate the possibility of heart issues.
A big concern will be your weight.
Regardless of having Type 2 diabetes, being overweight or obese is a warning your pregnancy may become high risk.
As some women have a tendency to gain large amounts of weight during pregnancy, this is especially difficult for a diabetic to deal with.
Your doctor may advise you to get down to a more manageable weight before trying to conceive.
Much will depend on your blood sugar levels history.
The best way to get a good determination is to look back over your recent history of blood sugar readings.
This will also give your doctor a better understanding of how your blood sugar could fluctuate during pregnancy, or even if it is advisable to wait until your blood sugar levels are brought down to a more satisfactory range for several months.
Medication is also a major factor.
Generally the older types of insulin are considered safe for use during pregnancy.
At this time it is not clear if the newer types of insulin are safe to use.
If you are using insulin to help control your Type 2 diabetes, it may be necessary to change your dosage and brand.
If this is the case, it will require an adjustment period in order to ensure your body adjusts accordingly.
If you have been prescribed metformin or another oral diabetic medication to control your blood sugar, don't be surprised to find your doctor suggest you change to insulin injections during your pregnancy.
No matter what, a healthy pregnancy depends on how well you manage your disease.
If you keep your blood sugar levels as close as possible to normal during your entire pregnancy, your chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby are as good as a non-diabetic woman's.