What changes if I have diabetes and become pregnant?

High blood sugar levels during pregnancy can put both mom and baby at risk. Diabetes educator Annie Reed suggests self-care habits and treatment plan changes needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Transcript

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JENNA: What does it mean to be pregnant and have diabetes?

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ANNIE REED: If you have diabetes and are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, you may find that your treatment plan changes,

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and that your self care habits need some tweaking. For example, you will need a different amount of food to support your growing baby, different amount of insulin

00:21

as your body's need for insulin changes, and you will need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely.

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What are the risks that I get to protect myself and my baby from? Having high blood sugar levels can lead to health problems

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in the pregnant mom, such as pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, and more frequent bladder infections, and can lead to health problems in the growing baby,

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such as breathing difficulties and developmental delays. The important thing to remember, though, is that self care habits, such as being

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active and healthy eating to keep blood sugar levels in their target range are how you can better ensure the best outcome for you and your baby.

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If I don't take care of myself, will my baby be born with birth defects? ANNIE REED: The growing baby of a pregnant mom with diabetes

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is at risk for birth defects, but health problems are much more likely to happen when blood sugar levels are not

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well managed. That is why getting blood sugar levels within their target range before pregnancy and keeping them

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that way throughout the entire pregnancy are crucial to protect the health of the growing baby. If you are considering a pregnancy

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or are already pregnant, talk to your doctor about what you should be doing that is different than your usual self care plan.

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This might include adding more health care providers to your team to make sure you and your baby get the best care.