If you have diabetes and want to start a family, try to bring your blood sugar levels close to your target range before you become pregnant.

It is also important to stay within your target range during pregnancy, as this may change because you are not pregnant. High blood sugar, often referred to as blood sugar can harm your baby in the first few weeks of pregnancy, even if you do not know what to expect. If you have diabetes and want to have a baby, consult your doctor as soon as possible to develop a diabetes management strategy. Following your diabetes management plan and working with your health care team will help you have a safer pregnancy and baby.

If you were first diagnosed with diabetes while you were pregnant, you will have gestational diabetes.

What are the effects of diabetes on my child?

During the first eight weeks of pregnancy, the baby's organs, including the brain, heart, kidneys, and lungs, develop. High blood sugar levels during this period are dangerous and increase the risk of your baby developing congenital problems, including heart defects or defects in the brain or spinal cord.

Having high blood sugar levels during pregnancy can increase the chances of having your baby too early, having too much weight or breathing problems, or having low blood sugar after delivery.

High blood sugar levels can also increase your chances of miscarriage or stillbirth.

1 When a baby dies in **** in the second half of pregnancy, it is called a stillbirth.

How Does Diabetes Affect My Pregnancy?

Since hormones and other changes in your body during pregnancy can affect your blood sugar levels, you may need to adjust the way you manage your diabetes. Even if you have been suffering from diabetes for a long time, you will need to adjust your diet plan, exercise regimen, and medications. If you are using **** diabetes medication, you may need to switch to insulin. As you get closer to your deadline, your management strategy may change.

What health problems can I face due to diabetes during pregnancy?

Pregnancy can aggravate many chronic diabetes problems, especially if your blood sugar levels are too high, such as vision problems and kidney disease.

You are more likely to develop preeclampsia, also known as toxemia, which occurs when your blood pressure rises and there is too much protein in your ***** in the second half of your pregnancy. Preeclampsia can cause serious or fatal problems for you and your baby. Preeclampsia can be cured only by delivery. If you have preeclampsia and are more than 37 weeks pregnant, your doctor may recommend a quick delivery. You and your doctor can discuss additional options before 37 weeks and help your baby develop as much as possible before birth.

If I have diabetes, how can I prepare for pregnancy?

If you have diabetes, it is important to keep your blood sugar levels as normal as possible before and during pregnancy to stay healthy and have a healthy baby. Getting tested before and during pregnancy, adhering to your diabetes meal plan, exercising as prescribed by your doctor, and taking diabetes medications as needed can help you control your diabetes. Quitting smoking and taking the vitamins prescribed by your doctor can also help you and your baby stay healthy.

Collaborate with your medical team.

You and your baby will get the best treatment if you visit regularly with members of the health care team who specialize in diabetes and pregnancy. Your medical team may include the following:

• An endocrinologist or diabetologist is a medical professional who specializes in diabetes care.
• An obstetrician who had previously worked with diabetic mothers
• A diabetes educator who can help you with diabetes management
• An antenatal nurse practitioner who cares for you throughout your pregnancy
• Nutritionists are trained to assist in meal preparation
• Specialists diagnose and treat conditions such as diabetic eye disease, kidney disease, and heart disease.
• A social worker or psychologist who can help you deal with stress, anxiety, and the extra responsibilities of pregnancy

You are the most important member of the team. Your health care team can give you expert advice, but you need to manage your diabetes daily.