Tips for Pregnant Women with Diabetes

Diabetics who are pregnant should pay attention to health and blood sugar levels more regularly. No need to worry about the health of mothers and children, if pregnant women with diabetes tips are applied. Pregnancy has become a challenge for expectant mothers. Especially if the prospective mother turns out to have diabetes, be it type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Besides having to deal with changes in the body, pregnant women with diabetes must also be careful in monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels.

How to Maintain Blood Sugar During Pregnancy

It is important for pregnant women with diabetes to maintain and control blood sugar properly, thereby increasing the chances of giving birth to a healthy baby. In addition, controlling blood sugar during pregnancy is also very influential in reducing the onset of other problems due to diabetes. Here are some tips for pregnant women in maintaining blood sugar so that the pregnancy remains smooth:

• Before becoming pregnant, consult with your doctor to check the effects of diabetes on the body, get advice on how to maintain blood sugar, change medications if necessary, and other suggestions.
• When pregnant, try to consult with a doctor, starting from obstetricians, nutrition specialists, and specialist doctors Pregnant women with diabetes should consult more often with doctors to prevent or detect problems early.
• Pregnancy or antenatal care checks, including ultrasound and blood tests, may be needed to monitor fetal growth and development.
• Routinely checking the body's blood sugar levels. Pregnancy makes the body need more energy, blood sugar levels can change very quickly. Therefore, pregnant women are encouraged to check blood sugar levels frequently.
• Take medications or insulin according to doctor's orders. Don't forget to be ready for a fast source of sugar such as sweet candy, if at any time the blood sugar drops too fast.
• It is recommended to adopt a healthy diet. The doctor will give advice to regulate the food and drinks consumed in order to prevent high or low blood sugar levels. For example, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, meat, dairy products without fat, nuts, fish, and foods that contain folic acid. Tips on pregnant women with diabetes this one is very important to maintain the stability of blood sugar levels.
• Exercise during pregnancy for at least 30 minutes a day, for five days a week. However, you should consult with your doctor first to determine the type and intensity of exercise that is appropriate.

Possible Complications in Pregnant Women with Diabetes

Uncontrolled blood sugar levels in pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, can cause various complications in the mother and baby in the womb. These complications include the following:

• The baby's body size in the womb is larger than it should (macrosomia), can cause difficulties to give birth normally. Pregnant women also must be induced or delivered by cesarean section.
• Right after giving birth, blood sugar levels in the baby will likely be very low.
• Calcium and magnesium levels in the baby's body may be unbalanced.
• Affects the formation of baby's organs in the womb, to cause disability of the brain, spine, heart, and nervous system.
• Miscarriage
• The baby is born prematurely or dies in the womb.
• Babies experience health problems soon after birth, for example, heart problems
• Babies are at risk of developing obesity or diabetes later in life.

In addition, other complications that can occur are preeclampsia, which can cause seizures or strokes in pregnant women. Therefore, it is important to control blood sugar levels during pregnancy, to stay healthy, and the delivery process can run smoothly. Consult your doctor to get the right treatment.