Pregnancy

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on diabetes in pregnancy. Disorders of Carbohydrate Metabolism: Diabetes Mellitus  http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section2/chapter13/13a.htm Pregnancy Complicated by Disease: Diabetes Mellitus  http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section18/chapter251/251g.htm#A018-251-1070 Gestational Diabetes: What It Means for Me and My Baby  http://familydoctor.org/handouts/075.html Exercise: An Alternative Therapy for Gestational Diabetes  http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/mar_96/artal.htm

The level of sugar in your blood is affected by: Your diet Your activity level The insulin in your body Stress Checking your blood sugar is very motivating. It gives you immediate feedback and lets you fine-tune your routine accordingly. It also lets your doctor adjust your treatment, if necessary. How Is Self (Or Home)

Women with type 1 diabetes will already be taking insulin. In women with type 2 or gestational diabetes, sometimes diet, exercise and regular monitoring fail to keep blood glucose levels in the target range. Generally, your doctor will recommend you start taking insulin injections if: Your blood sugar first thing in the morning (or “fasting”

In any pregnancy, it’s important to eat the right foods to provide for you and your baby. Women with diabetes have added goals: Emphasizing foods that help keep blood glucose normal Preventing the buildup of ketones Getting enough calories to support healthy weight gain Meal planning during pregnancy can be challenging. A registered dietitian can

Exercise is a healthy part of any pregnancy. For women with diabetes, regular exercise: Reduces stress Improves strength and flexibility Helps your body use insulin better Controls your weight Leads to a quicker recovery after delivery How Does Exercise Affect Blood Sugar? Both exercise and insulin lower blood sugar. The combination can result in hypoglycemia (low blood

Labor is hard work. Although most women don’t need insulin injections once contractions start, you may be given fluids, calories, and, if necessary, insulin, through an intravenous tube inserted into your hand or arm. It’s important to maintain good control of your blood sugar levels up to the time you arrive at the hospital to

Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a disorder in the way the body gets energy from food. It occurs: When there isn’t enough insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that is essential for using food properly, or When the insulin the body makes doesn’t work normally Glucose is a sugar that results from the digestion

Glucose, a sugar that results from the digestion of food, is the body’s main nourishment. During pregnancy, your body also supplies your baby with glucose, which is delivered through the placenta and is your baby’s only source of nourishment. The placenta also makes certain hormones to help the baby develop. But these hormones make it

In women with gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes, the sugar (glucose) in your blood directly affects the size of your baby. If your blood sugar level is high, the baby gets too much nourishment and overgrows. This can lead to a condition called macrosomia or “fat” baby. Macrosomia causes problems for both you and

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,