Diabetes In Pregnancy

Managing Diabetes During Pregnancy

The goal in treating diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels as normal as possible. That usually involves:

  • Daily blood glucose monitoring
  • Taking insulin
  • Following a special diet
  • Following an exercise program

It’s normal to feel stressed during pregnancy. Diabetes creates additional stresses. You have to see your doctor more often than women without diabetes, follow a special diet, and monitor your blood sugar several times per day. Here are some strategies for coping.

  • Listen to your body.
  • Learn to ask for help.
  • Enlist the support of family, friends, or other women facing the same concerns.
  • Make time for regular exercise.
  • Keep your sense of humor.
  • Take good care of yourself.
  • Learn a relaxation or meditation technique.
  • Be positive.

During your pregnancy, contact your doctor if you have:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Sharp back pain
  • Burning or painful urination
  • An infection
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Swelling in the hands, face or feet
  • Severe nausea with high blood sugar
  • A decrease in your baby’s movement

Nice To Know:

Your prenatal team

Keeping diabetes under control takes teamwork. Besides your obstetrician, here are some other specialists who can help:

  • A doctor who specializes in diabetes
  • A registered dietician
  • A diabetes educator
  • A neonatologist (a specialist for newborns) or pediatrician trained to manage babies of diabetic mothers

 

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