Diabetes you should not take away the joy of feeling like a mother, and giving birth to a beautiful healthy baby. Although having diabetes and being pregnant are two conditions that should be taken seriously and managed very carefully, if you follow the needed health guidelines, your condition will not get in the way of your baby. The key: Diabetes Control.

Diabetes control is the most important factor for the well being of you and your baby. Women that do not keep their blood glucose levels under control throughout their pregnancy greatly increase their risks for birth defects. In the early stages of the pregnancy, when the baby’s organs are still forming, high blood glucose levels can damage them. The baby can also receive extra sugar which will cause excessive growth. This can cause serious health issues for the baby and major risks for both mommy and baby during delivery.

Because high blood glucose levels are so dangerous for pregnancy, women with diabetes should start planning ahead before even getting pregnant, at least three months before. During this period, you must make sure your sugar levels are under control and staying within the target range.

For more information on gestational diabetes visit www.yourlifewithdiabetes.com/gestational-diabetes Having a skilled health care team will help you a lot during your pregnancy. They will monitor the baby’s development, your glucose levels, your diet and exercise routine. The ADA recommends that you have the following professional in your team: a diabetes specialist, an obstetrician, a pediatrician, a dietitian and a diabetes educator.

If you have type 1 diabetes, your insulin dosage will increase during pregnancy, as your body will produce hormones that will have an adverse effect on the little insulin that your pancreas is producing. If you have type 2 diabetes and you are taking oral medications, your doctor might have you switch to insulin treatment as the safety of oral medications is not fully known for the mother or the baby when taken during the full term of the pregnancy.

When it comes to delivery, having diabetes will increase the risk of having a Caesarean birth. Although the risk is higher, a healthy vaginal birth is not out of the question. Your doctor will monitor your glucose levels closely during delivery and after giving birth. The baby will also be closely monitored after birth to make sure that other serious complications are avoided.

It is important to remember that planning and having tight control of your blood sugar levels is extremely important when it comes to having a healthy pregnancy. Following a healthy diet and a good exercise routine as recommended by your health care professional is also very important.

Yes, diabetes does make pregnancy more difficult, challenging and even riskier. But if you take care of yourself and follow the needed steps to minimize your risks, you will most likely enjoy your pregnancy and deliver a happy, healthy baby that will fill your life with joy.

For more information on gestational diabetes visit http://www.yourlifewithdiabetes.com/

Jesus Chirino is webmaster of Your Life with Diabetes, a website dedicated to providing free diabetes information and resources.

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