Diabetes In Pregnancy - All You Should Be Aware Of!

Diabetes is a health condition that occurs due to the lack of insulin and when the body fails to regulate the blood sugar levels. It has been observed that it is a medical complication for many women during their pregnancy. It is best to follow some course of action in order to have a healthy pregnancy and avoid any complications. Diabetes is an autoimmune disease and it can be classed in to 2 categories or types.

The type 1 diabetes requires use of insulin on daily basis and its symptoms include weight loss, blurred vision and increased urination. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes include kidney or bladder infection and it is the most common form of diabetes.

Do the babies also develop diabetes?

It is not necessary that babies who are born to diabetic mothers are also diabetic, but if diabetes is not controlled during pregnancy, there are chances that the baby will produce a large quantity of insulin while they are still in the womb. It is quite possible that the sugar levels would be low immediately after birth and a close watch of the newborn is a must till the body adjusts to the amount of insulin it makes.

It has been observed that large babies develop diabetes later in life, mostly type 2 diabetes, and are likely to become obese. It is very important that children are encouraged to develop regular exercise habits and healthy eating habits to reduce the chances of obesity.

Effect of Diabetes on Pregnant Women:

There are chances that if a pregnant woman has diabetes, there are fluctuations in her blood sugar levels, this is because of the hormones that are associated with the pregnancy. It is very important that sugar levels are controlled at the time of conception as there is a greater risk of miscarriage or certain birth defectsoccuring. The pregnant woman is also at a higher risk of blood pressure which can result in premature birth and complications to the mother. The cause for concern for expectant mothers with diabetes is that the baby grows too large, especially if the diabetes is uncontrolled.

Normal Blood Sugar For Pregnant Women:

The healthy blood sugar levels in a pregnant woman for fasting sugar should be less than 95mg/dL and the blood sugar level after one hour of eating should be 140mg/dL. The blood sugar level after 2 hours of eating should be 120mg/dL.

Gestational diabetes that begins during pregnancy has become very common and can lead to defects in the infant. If the blood sugar level is high, then it can lead to complications during labor due to excessive growth of the fetus. It is therefore best to maintain blood sugar levels to avoid risks for the child such as respiratory distress, low glucose levels and jaundice.