Did you know that diabetes can affect your unborn baby? It’s true! Diabetes can cause problems for both the mother and the baby. But don’t worry, with proper care, most of these problems can be prevented.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how diabetes can affect your unborn baby and what you can do to keep your baby safe. Read on to learn more about diabetes and pregnancy!
What does Diabetes do to your body?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly process glucose, or blood sugar. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as genetics, lifestyle choices, or other health conditions. When diabetes is not well-controlled, it can lead to a number of serious health complications.
One of the most serious complications of diabetes is called diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. DKA occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to process glucose, and the body starts breaking down fat for energy.
This process produces ketones, which are acidic compounds that build up in the blood and can be toxic to the body.
If left untreated, DKA can lead to coma and even death. That’s why it’s so important for pregnant women with diabetes to carefully monitor their blood sugar levels and get treatment right away if they start to experience symptoms of DKA.
Diabetes can cause a number of problems for an unborn baby, including:
Premature birth
Low birth weight
Congenital anomalies (birth defects)
Stillbirth
Premature birth is one of the most common complications of diabetes. In fact, women with diabetes are four times more likely to have a premature baby than women without diabetes.
A premature baby is born before 37 weeks gestation and may have a variety of health problems, such as respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, and jaundice.
Low birth weight is another common complication of diabetes. Babies who are born weighing less than 5.5 pounds are at increased risk for a number of health problems, including infections, respiratory distress, and developmental delays.
Congenital anomalies, or birth defects, are also more common in babies of mothers with diabetes. The most common defects seen in these babies are heart defects and neural tube defects.
Stillbirth, or the death of the baby before birth, is also a risk for pregnant women with diabetes. In fact, women with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have a stillborn baby than women without diabetes.
How can I prevent complications in my unborn baby?
The best way to prevent complications in your unborn baby is to carefully control your blood sugar levels before and during pregnancy. This means working with your healthcare team to develop a diabetes treatment plan that works for you.
Your treatment plan may include lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, as well as medication. It’s important to take your medication as prescribed and to follow all of your doctor’s instructions.
You should also see your doctor regularly during pregnancy so that they can closely monitor both you and your baby. Be sure to call your doctor right away if you experience any symptoms of DKA, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or shortness of breath.
By working with your gynecologist and carefully following your treatment plan, you can help prevent complications in your unborn baby.
Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life. But for women with diabetes, it can also be a time of worry.
If you have diabetes and are pregnant, or are thinking about becoming pregnant, be sure to talk to your doctor about how to best manage your condition. With proper care, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby!
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