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Managing Diabetes While Pregnant
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 For some it may have been thoughtful and calculated, for others it may have been a shocking surprise. Either way, life is about to present you with one of its greatest joys…you are pregnant! As you announce to your family and friends that you are expecting a baby, your mind starts to wander and your motherly instincts and worries consume your thoughts. You ask yourself a barrage of questions; Am I eating enough healthy foods? Should I be getting more rest? How will my diabetes affect my pregnancy?
If you are one of the many women who become pregnant and have preexisting diabetes, frequent prenatal visits to your doctor must be made a top priority. This early and frequent prenatal care is critical as The March of Dimes reports, “women with poorly controlled diabetes in the early weeks of pregnancy are two to four times more likely than women without diabetes to have a baby with a serious birth defect” (2009). To ensure that your blood glucose levels remain in control and as close to normal as possible, your doctor may need to increase your insulin dosage throughout the duration of your pregnancy. In addition to carefully monitoring your blood glucose levels, your doctor may increase your daily dosage of folic acid, make recommended changes to your meal plan, and switch your oral medications to insulin injections.
If you are currently managing a regular exercise regime, you should also inquire with your doctor about modifications that should be made during your pregnancy. The American Diabetes Association reports, “it is not a good idea to start a new strenuous exercise program during pregnancy. Good exercise choices for pregnant women include walking, low-impact aerobics, swimming, or water aerobics”(2009). It is important to note, however, that before beginning any exercise regime, you should always consult with your doctor.
As it has been proven time and time again via birth after birth, many women who are living with diabetes can successfully manage to maintain a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. The key to doing so is in the mother’s proactive approach for controlling diabetes while pregnant, and the desire to heed the guidance from your doctor early and often.
References:
March of Dimes. (2009). Having a Healthy Pregnancy with Diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_1064.asp
American Diabetes Association. (2009). Good Prenatal Care. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/sex-and-pregnancy/prenatal-care.jsp
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