Can A Diabetic Mom Have A Healthy Baby?

Diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s ability to process glucose and use it as energy. Insulin, a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pancreas, is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels in our bodies. While there are two different types of diabetes, in both cases insulin is not properly transporting glucose to cells, resulting in a build-up of sugar in the blood. Diabetes can lead to hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, putting patients at a higher risk of kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease. For expecting mothers with diabetes, pregnancy poses risk to both the mother and the child, increasing the child’s risk of developing birth defects and increasing the likelihood of the mother changing her current insulin plan. Being diabetic while pregnant can be difficult to manage alone. That is why Women for Women OBGYN, a gyno on Long Island, is prepared to help you every step of the way.

Types of Diabetes:

As you may know, there are two types of diabetes that one can suffer from. Each type has different effects and brings about different symptoms. These types are referred to as Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes – A chronic condition where the body attacks and destroys insulin in the pancreas. Because there is little to no natural insulin being used, patients with Type 1 Diabetes often have to inject insulin into themselves to regulate their blood sugar levels. Many cases of Type 1 Diabetes reveal themselves when the patient is young, and the causes of this condition are genetic.

Symptoms:

Unintended weight loss.
Increased thirst.
Fatigue and weakness.
Extreme hunger.

Type 2 Diabetes – This is the more common of the two major types. Patients affected by Type 2 Diabetes are resistant to the insulin that their pancreas creates. Those who are overweight are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life, but genetics can play a role as well. Those diagnosed with Type 2 may find success in managing their blood sugar with medications or insulin, but can also manage their levels and symptoms with exercise and a healthy diet.

Symptoms:

Dry mouth/frequent thirst.
Frequent urination.
Headaches.
Tingling hands and feet.

For those that are pregnant and dealing with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, it’s incredibly important that the condition is managed and under control to ensure the health and safety of both themselves and the baby. If you’re worried about your diabetes and how it may affect your pregnancy, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a gyno on Long Island!

Potential Effects Of Diabetes On Pregnancy

Infants of diabetic mothers are often larger than normal. This can cause pregnancy and birth to be more difficult. These infants are also more susceptible to:

Hypoglycemia.
High insulin levels.
Difficulty breathing.
Increased red blood cell count.
High bilirubin levels.
Yellow or blue skin color.
Seizures and Tremors.
Heart defects.

Please note that these effects are not the case for all infants who have diabetic mothers. This is only the case for mothers who don’t have their diabetes under control and can be avoided with the help of our gyno on Long Island. It is absolutely possible for a diabetic mother to have a healthy baby as long as they seek out professional help and take the necessary steps to avoid complications.

For expecting mothers, the effects of diabetes are different. In addition to their normal everyday symptoms, becoming pregnant may increase the likelihood of:

Eye or kidney failure.
High blood pressure and hypertension.
Swelling of the hands and face.
Vaginal infections.
C-Section.
Miscarriage.

Steps to Take Before Getting Pregnant

If you have diabetes and are looking to get pregnant, we highly recommend seeking out the assistance of our gyno on Long Island to help ensure that your pregnancy and birth go as smoothly as possible. However, some things you can do on your own before making the decision to conceive include:

Check Your Blood-Glucose Levels – Check your levels more often than usual leading up to your pregnancy. The first 8 weeks of pregnancy are incredibly important to the baby’s development and pregnancy is not always detected immediately. Ensuring your blood sugar levels are stable when you’re actively trying to get pregnant is important for starting your baby’s growth healthily.

Look At Your Lifestyle – It is important that you cut out all vices such as alcohol or smoking. Eating fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods, as well as exercising regularly are good ways to prepare yourself physically for pregnancy. Living a healthy lifestyle will not only help blood sugar levels year-round but it can help ensure that you’re in a good state physically going into pregnancy.

Contact Us – Gyno On Long Island
Being diabetic is no reason to not have a baby. People with both Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes often have successful pregnancies with healthy babies. If you are a diabetic and are expecting or trying to get pregnant, you may benefit from the help of Women for Women OBGYN. If you have missed your period, have a positive pregnancy test, or have had early pregnancy complications, be sure to contact us today to get the help you need.