There is no reason for diabetic women to dread pregnancy and avoid it. She, however, needs meticulous attention and care by the physicians, specialists and dietitians. Patients’ cooperation in following regulations and restrictions go a long way in making pregnancy absolutely normal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pregnancy, in diabetic women, carries slightly greater risk than in normal women. During the later stages of pregnancy, problems like high blood pressure, oedema, excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid may further complicate the diabetic condition. Moreover, chances of miscarriage and still-birth are greater for the diabetic mother than the normal one. It is always advisable to control diabetes before pregnancy to minimise the severity of complications.<\/p>\n
Pregnant diabetics can be grouped into two classes:<\/span><\/p>\n (a) Gestational diabetics Gestational Diabetics<\/span><\/p>\n At times, diabetes develops during pregnancy. This is commonly prevalent among women having a family history of diabetes. It may occur temporarily and cease to exist after confinement. Such patients are always susceptible to develop the disease during stressful conditions later in life. Mild or borderline cases of diabetes during pregnancy needs to be controlled. Any abnormality of blood sugar level affects the foetus and increases the chances of congenital malformations.<\/p>\n Known or Identified Diabetics<\/span><\/p>\n A diabetic woman who wishes to have a child should prepare herself for pregnancy in advance. She should get herself thoroughly examined and should control the blood sugar level, within the accepted limits.<\/p>\n Problems of Pregnant Diabetics<\/span><\/p>\n Once pregnancy is diagnosed, the patient should be constantly under the supervision of a team of specialists comprising the gynaecologist, diabetologist, dietitian and others. Control of blood sugar level during pregnancy is of utmost importance. It reduces the risk and ensures prospects of normal delivery and a healthy baby.<\/p>\n Morning Sickness<\/span><\/p>\n In the early weeks of pregnancy, most women suffer from nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning. Excessive vomiting, giddiness, dislike for food may result in the fall in blood sugar during early hours which may usually be overcome by the use of high carbohydrate foods, such as sugar, toffee, jelly and glucose syrup. An insulin dose should be adjusted according to the blood sugar level. Frequent measurement of blood sugar is required to stabilise the insulin dose and adjustments should be made as per daily requirements.<\/p>\n Decrease in Kidney Threshold<\/span><\/p>\n If the blood sugar exceeds 180 mg per 100 ml of blood, sugar tends to appear in the urine. This level (180 mg \/ TOO ml) is considered the normal kidney threshold for sugar.<\/p>\n As pregnancy advances, at times the kidney threshold level for sugar decreases. Due to the decreased level, sugar may appear in the urine, even though the blood sugar level is within the normal limits. Excessive excretion of sugar may result in hypoglycemia. It is, therefore, recommended to maintain blood sugar at a slightly lower level than normal. Blood sugar test, in this case would be more reliable than urine sugar test.<\/p>\n High Blood Pressure<\/span><\/p>\n Maintenance of normal blood pressure during pregnancy is necessary for normal growth of the foetus. High blood pressure is common during the last few months of pregnancy but a diabetic mother is always at a greater risk. Swelling of legs, hands, fingers and at times the entire body, passing of albumin in urine, are the common symptoms accompanied with hypertension. An expectant mother should always avoid taking medicine indiscriminately. It is better to consult the doctor who knows the complete history of the patient. Generally the patient is advised complete bed-rest. Anti-hypertensive drugs should be avoided.<\/p>\n Overweight<\/span><\/p>\n It is normal for women to gain about 9-12 kgs of weight during pregnancy. Weight gain should be gradual during the course of the pregnancy. Overweight may cause high blood pressure and oedema which tend to cause difficulty in labour.<\/p>\n Treatment<\/span><\/p>\n During pregnancy, sugar level is controlled by modifying the diet alone and \/ or by insulin. Hypoglycemic drugs are not recommended as they may result in congenital malformation. In insulin-dependent diabetics, the requirement of insulin dosage increases as the pregnancy progresses.<\/p>\n Treatment by Diet<\/span><\/p>\n An expectant mother needs a nutritious, balanced diet which provides adequate nutrition for increased body requirements and maintenance of blood sugar level within the normal acceptable limits. Diet for the pregnant diabetic depends on her body weight, insulin treatment and severity of blood sugar level.<\/p>\n In general, the patient should take a diet high in protein, iron, calcium and vitamins. Calorie and carbohydrate intake should be adjusted to avoid abrupt fluctuation of blood sugar level. Proper instructions regarding diet, insulin dose, timing and its modification during the course of pregnancy is very important. Urine and blood examinations are the most important on which rests the treatment of the mother.<\/p>\n Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation<\/span><\/p>\n For pregnant and nursing mothers, diet is of utmost importance because the mother is nourishing the child through her own body either in the uterus before birth or through her milk after birth. The nutrients needed, for the child, should be furnished in the mother’s diet.<\/p>\n The nutritive needs, during pregnancy, are best met by simple wholesome diet, rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, iron and folate. The basis of such a diet is in milk, milk products, meat, legumes, nuts, whole grains, lentils, soyabean products, leafy vegetables and fruit. If the diet consumed before pregnancy was adequate, then, only a simple modification is required to meet all additional nutrient allowances. An addition of 2 glasses of milk or cheese, or one egg or a large amount of fish, poultry or legumes or one serving of green vegetables with frequent substitution of fruit is enough. Of these, fruits and leafy vegetables are of great nutritive value.<\/p>\n During lactation there is increased need for energy, protein, minerals and vitamins, to cover the amount secreted in the milk for nourishment of the infant. Energy requirement varies with the amount of milk produced.<\/p>\n A Pregnant Diabetic Needs to Know<\/span><\/p>\n I. Introduction<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 What is gestational diabetes and what causes it? II. Glucose Monitoring<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 What is self blood glucose monitoring? III. Diet and Weight Gain<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Why is a special diet recommended? IV. Exercise<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Should one exercise? There is no reason for diabetic women to dread pregnancy and avoid it. She, however, needs meticulous attention and care by the physicians, specialists and dietitians. Patients’ cooperation in following regulations and restrictions go a long way in making pregnancy absolutely normal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diet-remedies"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n(b) Known or identified diabetics<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Who is at risk for developing gestational diabetes and how is it detected?
\n\u2022 What can be done to reduce problems associated with gestational diabetes?
\n\u2022 How does gestational diabetes differ from other types of diabetes?
\n\u2022 How does gestational diabetes affect pregnancy and the baby?<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 How often and when should the tests be done?
\n\u2022 Are there any other tests one should know about?
\n\u2022 When does one test for ketones?
\n\u2022 Will the baby be healthy?
\n\u2022 Should one expect the baby to have any problems?
\n\u2022 How should one record his\/her test results?
\n\u2022 How does one test for ketones?
\n\u2022 Is it necessary to take insulin?
\n\u2022 Does gestational diabetes affect labour and delivery?
\n\u2022 Will diabetes affect labour and delivery?
\n\u2022 Will one develop diabetes in the future?<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 How should one eat during pregnancy?
\n\u2022 How does one plan meals?
\n\u2022 Is breast-feeding recommended?
\n\u2022 How much weight should one gain?
\n\u2022 What food patterns help keep blood sugar levels normal?
\n\u2022 What can be done to slow weight gain during pregnancy?<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 What happens if diet and exercise fail to control the increase in blood sugar level?
\n\u2022 Can blood sugar level go too low, and if so, what can one do?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"