Meeting Diabetes Needs while Preparing for Pregnancy

Control Blood Glucose Levels Before Conceiving to Avoid Complications

Stick to a Healthy Diet to Avoid Pregnancy-related Complications

Diabetes, one of the most common conditions occurring in people of any group spares none. The announcement of some good news is often made with something sweet-it can be a mithai or even a chunk of sugar. Breaking a pregnancy news with a piece of cake, a small chunk of kaju kathli or even a chocolate has been in trend since decades. The very first thing that the leading lady of the family does once the pregnancy is announced is to make sweet kheer and offer it to the mom-to-be. Alas, how is a kheer going to please the pregnant woman when she is a diabetic since a long time? None would expect such a young female to suffer from increased blood glucose levels even before delivering a baby! But aren’t we living in a generation where diabetes and high BP are common whereas natural conception and normal delivery have become a rarity?
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Before Pregnancy
Never take a chance with your baby! If you suffer from diabetes it is mandatory that you get your blood glucose levels near your target levels even before becoming pregnant. This is a case of evident concern because a baby’s vital organs start developing during the first eight weeks of pregnancy and any imbalance in blood glucose levels during such times puts the fetus at an elevated risk for birth defects (heart or even spine defects). The recommended blood glucose levels are different during pregnancy and when you aren’t pregnant yet. Failing to contain elevated blood glucose levels before you get pregnant can harm the baby during the first few weeks. But, if you have already failed to contain them and now, if you are aware of your pregnancy as well as elevated sugar levels the first step is to meet your physician and go forward with the necessary course of treatment. It is recommended to keep your glucose levels under complete control at least 3-6 months before pregnancy.

To avoid all these complications its better to be prepared for pregnancy by controlling your sugar levels and keeping them under desired values.

1. The physician might recommend for changes in diabetes medications that might be safe to use during pregnancy
2. Presence of high blood pressure, other diseases related to the heart, kidney or eyes or other diabetes complications that could arise due to pregnancy calls for treating them before trying to conceive
3. Eat a healthy diet enriched with fruits, veggies and whole grains. If there is need to lose a few kilograms before conception it is always better to meet a registered dietitian nutritionist at www.firsteatright.com who specializes in pregnancy and diabetes nutrition. An RDN is the right person to help you in your endeavor to meet your pre-pregnancy needs
4. Exercise regularly but ensure to check your blood sugar levels before and after an activity as exercising has a high impact on your glucose levels. Keep yourself balanced with a small snack before and after the exercise session
   
   

During Pregnancy
Hormonal changes are many during pregnancy and these changes affect blood glucose levels. This brings about a need to change your approach to diabetes management (including diet changes) even though you have been suffering from diabetes since a long time. People on diabetes medications could be advised to switch over to insulin and changes to their meal routines, activity schedules and medication doses might be brought in.
Pregnancy has the capability to aggravate long-term diabetes problems such as the eye problems and kidney disease, increases the risk of pre-eclampsia and miscarriage and also brings about the possibility that chances of a pre-term delivery are extremely high.

Go for a complete body checkup that includes checking for high blood pressure, eye disease, kidney disease, thyroid problems, nerve damages and heart diseases once you know that you are pregnant. Maintaining blood glucose levels throughout pregnancy is required to avoid resulting complications such as birth defects, miscarriage, premature delivery, impending risk for the baby, jaundice, breathing difficulties, macrosomia and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels during birth). At the same time, increased blood glucose levels increase the risk of worsening of diabetic eye and kidney problems, urinary infections, preeclampsia and difficulties during delivery (maybe a C-section delivery too).

Guidelines During Pregnancy

1. Meet a dietitian and make the necessary changes to your diet every few months during pregnancy
2. Be physically active and aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on at least 5 days a week
3. Stop taking alcohol before, during and after delivery of the baby as alcohol consumption can lead to serious side effects such as birth defects and mental retardation
4. Take the necessary supplements such as the folic acid and other multivitamins as directed by your physician
5. Adjust your medications as per doctor’s recommendations by testing your blood glucose levels frequently during the pregnancy period
6. Change your lifestyle for the better. This includes keeping your mind peaceful and your body relaxed apart from eating healthy food and exercising daily

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