Diabetes and pregnancy problems

Uncontrolled blood sugar in a pregnant woman with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to problems for both mother and baby:

Birth defects

During the first two months of pregnancy, the baby's organs develop, often before the woman realizes she's pregnant. Uncontrolled blood sugar can damage organs when they are formed, resulting in significant birth defects such as brain, spinal cord, and heart disorders in the growing baby.

Very big kid

Children's blood sugar is high if diabetes is not effectively controlled. In addition to causing discomfort to the woman in the last few months of pregnancy, a very large baby can cause problems during childbirth for both mother and baby. To deliver the baby, the mother may need a c-section. Nerve damage to the baby can occur due to pressure on the shoulder during childbirth.

Section C (Cesarean Section)

C-section is the process of delivering a baby through the mother's womb. A woman with poorly managed diabetes is more likely to have a c-section to give birth to her baby. It takes longer for the mother to recover from childbirth when the baby is delivered by c-section.

High blood pressure (HBP) is a condition (preeclampsia)

Preeclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure, protein *****, and persistent swelling in her fingers and toes. This is a major condition that requires the supervision and treatment of her doctor. High blood pressure can harm both a woman and her unborn child. This can lead to the premature birth of the baby, as well as seizures in the mother during and after childbirth or ****** (blood clots or bleeding in the brain can damage the brain). Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are more likely to have a high blood pressure than women without diabetes.

Premature birth

If the baby is born too early it can cause breathing problems, heart problems, bleeding in the brain, digestive problems, and vision loss. Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are more likely to give birth earlier than women without diabetes.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

People with diabetes who take insulin or other diabetes treatments may experience dangerously low blood sugar levels. If not treated immediately, low blood sugar can be very dangerous, even fatal. Women who properly monitor their blood sugar and treat low blood sugar early can avoid severe low blood sugar.

If a woman's diabetes is not properly managed during pregnancy, she may experience low blood sugar very quickly after the baby is born. After delivery, the baby's blood sugar should be monitored for several hours.

Childbirth or miscarriage

Miscarriage occurs when a pregnancy is lost before 20 weeks. If the baby dies in **** after 20 weeks it is called childbirth. Childbirth and miscarriage can occur for many reasons. A woman with poorly managed diabetes is more likely to have a miscarriage or give birth to a stillborn baby.