Do’s & Don’ts for Diabetic Pregnant
Being diabeticis not easy when you are pregnant. A pregnancy where the expecting mom is diabetic is termed as a high-risk pregnancy. Fortunately, in no way does this mean that you won’t have a healthy baby. It simply means that you need to watch out for more things than regular pregnant women.
Regardless of whether you have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it is important that you understand a few do’s and don’ts. They will ensure that your pregnancy goes smoothly and that you give birth to a healthy baby.
Being diabetic is not a cause for alarm. You don’t need to worry about a million and one things. In fact, the ensuing stress of doing so will prove problematic for both you and your baby.
Millions of diabetic women become pregnant and give birth to healthy babies without causing problems for the mom. All you need to do is keep a few things in mind and you will be fine. In other words, simply follow the do’s and don’ts outlined below and I promise you will have a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Do’s
Talk to a Gynecologist, Obstetrician or Perinatologist
Talking to a gynecologist or an obstetrician is the obvious choice for pregnant women. In fact, it is the smart choice. However, when you have diabetes, it is an even better idea to talk to a perinatologist.
Perinatologists are your normal gynecologists and/or obstetricians who have completed further training,
specializing in high-risk pregnancies. This also includes diabetic pregnancies.
Eat-in Moderation
Although this really does go without saying, as a diabetic, it is even more crucial to eat in moderation.As a diabetic, you need to maintain your blood glucose level all day long. If your blood glucose level drops or increases too much, it could prove harmful for you. However, when you are pregnant, it could harm your baby too.
Your baby’s only supply of glucose comes directly
from your own supply. If you do not have enough glucose to spare, your baby will not be able to grow properly.
If you have a high blood glucose level, you can experience a varied number of problems. However, your child can experience more, with the biggest problem being obesity. A high blood glucose level increases the risk of bearing an obese child. This can prove highly problematic for many women during labor.
Exercise
One of the biggest mistakes that most pregnant women make is avoiding exercise. Not only does this lead to a higher postpartum weight, it could also result in an obese baby. During a diabetic pregnancy, not exercising is the worst thing you can do.
The only 2 ways to really keep your blood sugar levels down is by either exercise or insulin. Considering the
many advantages that exercise has, it makes sense to choose it over the injections.
However, make sure you visit your health care provider and get an exercise plan made. The last thing you need to do is exercise too much as this will significantly lower your blood glucose levels.
Don’ts
Don’t Snack on Sweets of any Kind
The worst thing you could actually do during your pregnancy is snack on a multitude of sweets. Not only does this raise your blood glucose level, it adds
Don’t Keep your Carbohydrates Down
During pregnancy, the first thing that most health care providers will recommend is that you keep your strength up by consuming a lot of carbohydrates. Unfortunately, carbohydrate is a molecule that easily turns into glucose. This becomes a diabetic’s worst nightmare. To overcome this issue, the easiest thing to do is plan your meals.
Don’t Empty calories to your body.
If you have diabetes, you need to pay close attention to the food you eat in terms of the amount of sugar they contain.
The key is to control the number of carbohydrates that you consume down to a minimum. Though, knowing the number of carbohydrates you should consume is something that only your doctor can accurately tell you as they know about your condition and medical history.
They will be able to tell you, roughly, how many carbs you should consume every day. They will also let you know of any special diets that you should be on. This information should be taken to a dietician in order to obtain a proper diet plan.
Don’t Skip a Meal
If you are diabetic and are pregnant, the worst thing you could do for yourself has skipped a meal. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and by skipping it, you lower your blood glucose levels significantly. Not only does this ensure you have no energy for the day, but it can also be harmful to your baby too.
Don’t Exercise too much
Exercise is a great way to let loose, lose a pound or two, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. When you are pregnant, you should exercise in order to keep your mood elevated and your body and child happy.
However, too much exercise and you risk lowering your blood glucose level too much, causing weakness, mental disturbances, emotional frustration, and possibly physical collapse. Therefore, never exercise more than you have to.
I hope this post was helpful for you to know some tips for Diabetic pregnancy
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