Diabetes - Pregnancy And The Dangers Of High Blood Glucose

There is no reason at all why a diabetic mother-to-be cannot enjoy a normal, full term pregnancy.

However, she and her partner will have to take extra precautions as the disease can cause complications if not correctly managed.

This is particularly true of any mother who contracts gestational diabetes. This is contracted, if at all, in the later stages, and can be very stressful.

Mothers who already have diabetes will already have an understanding as to how to adapt to pregnancy, but women who contract gestational diabetes suddenly have extra pressure and responsibility thrust upon them, not least of which is having to inject themselves with insulin and monitor their blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes, which has the same effect as type 1 or type 2 diabetes, does not just affect the mother. Without treatment during the pregnancy, their are serious health risks to the baby.

Where the prospective mother is already diabetic, it is important that she consults with her medical team before she conceives, so that her medication can be revised. This is because oral diabetic medication can damage a foetus, and she will need to change over to insulin.

The dangers to the foetus of high blood sugar levels in the mother, are risks of miscarriage and abnormalities. Any abnormalities will be apparent after 5-9 weeks of the pregnancy, which means that they can occur so early that the mother doesn't yet know she is in fact pregnant.

High blood sugar levels can also cause what is called "macrosomia". This happens in the second half of the pregnancy. High levels of sugar and other nutrients in the mother are passed to the baby, which in turn makes the baby's pancreas start to produce insulin. By producing more insulin the sugars are absorbed into the body where they are stored as fat. The areas where fat is stored tend to be the arms, legs, abdomen and chest.

Macrosomia means that the baby gains weight and size more quickly than normal, that often results in the necessity of an early delivery and a premature birth.

A moderate amount of exercise, gentle walking for example, is of benefit during pregnancy, as well as stopping smoking, which has been proved to increase the risk of the baby becoming obese and diabetic later in life.