Managing Diabetes While Pregnant

If you get pregnant and have diabetes, you can still have a healthy pregnancy and baby with careful management and oversight from your doctors. With the proper guidance and care, you have as much of a chance for a successful pregnancy as any other expectant mom. We recommend you come in for a consultation to assess your situation and give you a specific plan that best fits you. However, we understand that sometimes you want some guidance immediately before your next appointment or reminders to keep in mind after your consultation. For that reason, we composed an article to help give some advice and tips for managing diabetes while pregnant.

Get The Right Guidance

The critical components to managing diabetes while pregnant are to be prepared and keep it under control. Achieving normal blood glucose (sugar) levels six months before conception and maintaining those levels throughout the following nine months is recommended. You can keep better track of your faults and requirements by visiting a specialist like Dr. Stanley. Any doctor treating high-risk pregnancies should have several years of experience and deep knowledge of the field; Dr. Stanley provides 25+ years of experience.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

While your diet will vary depending on your current situation and body, most diabetic pregnant moms can expect to follow a meal plan similar to a typical pregnancy diet, including clean carbohydrates such as vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Always make sure to check in with your doctor about the right amount of carbs to keep your glucose in check. In addition to healthy carbohydrates, you also want to snack smart. You’ll be hungry more often than not, so you want to make wise decisions about snacking. The ideal snack is a complex carbohydrate plus a protein such as cheese, beans, or chicken. Most of the time, women live hectic lives and forget to make time for a meal, so smart snacking comes into play to keep your glucose at a healthy level until your next meal.

Gain the Right Amount of Weight

Reaching your ideal weight before conception is a wise decision. However, should you start your pregnancy overweight, your consultant can help plan a healthy weight gain goal. In this case, slow and steady wins the race. Gaining too much weight can lead to a possible risk of other pregnancy complications, so it’s not something to take lightly. Many times, babies of people with diabetes can grow very large regardless of the mom’s weight, so regular checkups are essential. By making regular appointments with your doctor, you can reduce the risk of childbirth complications. Most doctors will also recommend a moderate exercise program for their patients.

By remaining active and healthy, you’ll have more energy to help regulate your blood sugar. Before participating in any exercise plan, make sure to always consult with your doctor to ensure your body is capable of the workouts. Some moderate exercises recommended for pregnant women include brisk walking, swimming, or riding a stationary bike. If you didn’t work out much before pregnancy, going on light walks will probably be your best bet. Don’t forget to snack before and after your workout and take it nice and slow. Your body will get worn out quickly on really hot days, so make sure you’re cautious and remain well-hydrated.

Get Enough Rest

It only makes sense for your body to get plenty of rest after working out, eating, walking, and doing daily activities. By getting the correct amount of rest, your body recovers and recharges for the next day or the rest of the day. You’ll find that you will need significant rest during the third trimester. In addition, you’ll want to be checking your blood sugar levels at all times throughout the day. Check it before and after your workout, before and after eating, between naps, and at regular intervals throughout the day as your doctor directs. You may have to check your blood sugar levels at least 4-10 times a day. If you notice your numbers are too low or too high, talk to your doctor.

Regulate Medications

You may require insulin if the correct diet and exercise don’t seem to be enough. If you have never needed insulin previously, and during your pregnancy is the first time you require it, close medical supervision is especially critical for stabilizing your blood sugar. Sometimes those who were taking an oral medication before pregnancy will need to switch to insulin. Studies show that oral medications prove to be effective alternatives to insulin for mild cases in pregnancies. However, the dosage and form of medication will depend on what your doctor prescribes.

In addition to keeping your diabetes medicine in check, you’ll also want to be wary about any other medications. Many over-the-counter medications can affect your insulin levels or prove to be a danger to you and your baby’s health. Before deciding to take any other medications, make sure you always check with your doctor.

Having diabetes while pregnant is not a “stop sign”. It’s simply a hurdle that you can overcome with the right plan, mindset, and doctor. If you want to conceive but are concerned about your diabetes getting in the way, visit Unity Maternal Fetal Medicine in Clermont, FL, and get all your worries and concerns addressed. Unity is prepared to effectively guide you through your pregnancy with the knowledge and care you deserve.