Health Network News

Let’s start by clarifying something; a diabetic mother can expect to carry her baby to full term and enjoy a normal pregnancy.

However, as a diabetic, either type 1 or type 2, the disease does add complications during pregnancy, placing extra responsibility on the potential parents, particularly the mother.

Even for the non diabetic, gestational diabetes, occuring in the latter stages of pregnancy, is a risk for every mother, which again can cause unexpected stress and anxiety.

Mothers who already have diabetes will already have an understanding as to how to adapt to pregnancy, but women who contract gestational diabetes suddenly have extra pressure and responsibility thrust upon them, not least of which is having to inject themselves with insulin and monitor their blood sugar levels.

Left untreated, there are huge health risks to the unborn child when it comes to high blood sugar levels in the mother.

If the mother is already diabetic, she will want to consult with her doctor before conception, so that steps can be taken, particularly with regard to medication, to ensure a straightforward pregnancy.

This is because high blood sugar levels, left untreated and monitored, can cause miscarriages and congenital abnormalities. These abnormalities occur early in the pregnancy, 5-9 weeks. It is possible that they occur before the woman is aware that she is pregnant, so proper preparation and consultation is important.

High blood sugar levels can also cause what is called “macrosomia”. This happens in the second half of the pregnancy. High levels of sugar and other nutrients in the mother are passed to the baby, which in turn makes the baby’s pancreas start to produce insulin. By producing more insulin the sugars are absorbed into the body where they are stored as fat. The areas where fat is stored tend to be the arms, legs, abdomen and chest.

Macrosomia means that the baby gains wieght and size more quickly than normal, that often results in the necessity of an early delivery and a premature birth.

A moderate amount of exercise, gentle walking for example, is of benefit during pregnancy, as well as stopping smoking, which has been proved to increase the risk of the baby becoming obese and diabetic later in life.