Diabetes

Poorly controlled diabetes can put you and your baby at risk. You can lower these risks by keeping your blood sugar in good control before and during your pregnancy.

Risks to your baby

• Birth defects of the heart, brain, spinal cord, kidneys, gastrointestinal organs, limbs, and oral clefts
• Chance of low blood sugar, jaundice, and breathing problems after birth
• Possible birth weight of 10+ pounds, which may cause trauma to the baby during a vaginal birth. Moms may need a cesarean birth to deliver a big baby.

Risks to mom

• Miscarriage
• High blood pressure
• Preeclampsia, which may cause serious liver and kidney problems, keep blood from clotting, and cause seizures. In rare cases, preeclampsia can cause stroke or death. Preeclampsia goes away after your baby is delivered.

The good news is that by controlling your diabetes, you and your baby are at no greater risk than if you did not have diabetes.

If you have diabetes

• Talk with the doctor who manages your diabetes before you get pregnant to get on the right medications
• Take your medications faithfully
• Keep your blood sugar in good control
• Have your blood sugar tested with an A1C blood test
• Have your thyroid function tested – women with diabetes have a higher risk of thyroid problems
• Eat healthy, be active and manage your stress
• If you are overweight, lose weight before pregnancy
• Before pregnancy, take a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid
• During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin with 800 mcg of folic acid