It is perfectly possible for a diabetic woman to enjoy a normal pregnancy and birth, but there are certain things that need to be done before and during the pregnancy, and certain things to avoid during the same.
Some are common to both type 1 and type 2 diabetics, and others relate to the particular form of the disease.
Both type 1 and 2 diabetics should consult with their doctors prior to conceiving.
This is to make the doctor aware that pregnancy is likely, and a plan can be put in place.
Type 1 Diabetics.
Type 1 diabetics differ from those who do not have the disease, in that non diabetics naturally regulate the amount of insulin the body produces, and they can therefore simply produce more insulin as required during pregnancy.
One of the effects of being pregnant is that extra hormones are produced that block the effects of insulin.
Therefore, the type 1 diabetic will find that the amount of insulin needed to control their blood glucose increases until the latter part of the pregnancy, when this changes, and the risk of hypoglycaemia increases.
It is therefore vital that those women with type 1 diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels extremely closely when pregnant.
Type 2 Diabetics.
Mothers-to-be with type 2 diabetes also need to pay very close attention to their blood sugar during pregnancy.
There is an added complication to which the mother has to adjust in that if she is taking any oral medication to control her blood sugar, this can damage the foetus.
Therefore insulin will have to be injected during the course of the pregnancy instead, which can be a little uncomfortable.
With both type 1 and type 2, mothers-to-be should be monitored closely by their medical team.
For the record, children are at much greater risk of becoming obese and contracting diabetes later in life if their mother smoked during pregnancy.
Perhaps this provides one of the greatest incentives for quitting!