Diabetes and Pregnancy: What to Expect?
Your body undergoes several changes during pregnancy to make it a safe environment for your baby. However, if you have diabetes, you must be extra mindful to ensure both you and baby stay well. The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can affect your blood sugar levels differently so even if you have successfully treated your diabetes for years, you may have to change your treatment plan.
Pregnancy and Diabetes
Diabetes makes your pregnancy higher risk. This is because high blood sugar levels can harm the baby during pregnancy, especially in the early weeks. Poorly managed diabetes during pregnancy also puts you at a higher risk of premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
Pre-eclampsia is another condition linked to diabetes. Caused by high blood pressure and too much protein in the urine, preeclampsia can be life threatening for you and the baby because the only way to treat it is by giving birth.
Gestational Diabetes
Some women who have never had diabetes before may develop diabetes that only lasts during the pregnancy, called gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs when a woman is not able to produce enough natural insulin to meet the extra demand the body needs during pregnancy.
Warning signs of diabetes during pregnancy include dry mouth, tiredness, increased thirst, and needing to pee more often. As these are also common side effects of being pregnant, they do not always mean you have diabetes so it is important to talk regularly with your GP.
Manage Your Diabetes
Pregnancy can make complications of diabetes like vision problems and kidney disease worse. Be extra vigilant about your blood sugar levels before and during pregnancy to keep you and your baby healthy. Also stick to a healthy diet, take the recommended prenatal vitamins, and stay as active as possible. Check-in regularly with your doctor so any changes can be made if your body is not responding to its usual treatment plan, especially as you get closer to your due date. Because of the hormonal changes occurring, don’t be surprised if you have to suddenly take different medications for your diabetes whilst you are pregnant.
You can get diabetes medication quickly and safely online from Pharmacy Planet. For Lantus insulin, Byetta(Exenatide), and Metformin Trulicity online in the UK.
Authored By
HARMINDER ‘HARMY’ KAUR
BSc(hons) Pharmacy
GPhC Number: 2061107
Reviewed By
GURDEV SEHMI
BSc Pharm, MRPharmS, Independent Prescriber, Superintendent Pharmacist, Clinical Lead
GPhC Number: 2050925