Pregnancy is an attractive, beautiful thing to do in the fall and winter, since pregnancy is a time for rest and relaxation.
There are stories of pregnant women which transport you back in time to when they were virgins unto the baby. These are very rare, but not impossible!
Once pregnant, the woman needs to take care of her baby like no other. She should avoid high-risk activities such as drinking alcohol, sleeping outdoors, and high-risk sex.
She should also keep her weight equal to or below her baby’s weight at birth because her extra fat will protect the baby from cold or solid surfaces. Keeping a clean house and preparing comfort foods are two things she should do to help care for her family during this time.
This article will talk about some common ways of treating your mother with type 1 diabetes (T1D) that she can do during her pregnancy.
Contents:
How to get pregnant if you are diabetic
If you are type 1 or type 2 diabetic, you can still get pregnant. There are a few things that must be done differently, but it is possible for most women to try.
Type 1 diabetics cannot process glucose in their body. This means that they must depend on their bodies to produce insulin to transport glucose into the blood where it can be deposited in the body’s cells.
This is why it is so critical for people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose levels daily. If the level is too low, they must take a snack or two of carbs or even a couple of glasses of water to make sure it goes in.
Type 2 diabetics do not have as many restrictions on how much food they consume and how much they require. However, there are still some things to be aware of with your health state.
To get pregnant if you are type 2 diabetic, you must have regular checked-up appointments with your doctor. This includes yearly testing for blood sugar levels and fertility.
Good and bad foods for a diabetic to eat
There are many foods our body needs that it cannot process in our diet. These include vitamins, minerals, fat and carbs.
Some of these nutrients cannot be absorbed by the body and must be processed in the blood and cells. Some of these nutrients include beta carotene, vitamin A, thiamine and vitamin B6.
Beta carotene is a nutrient that cannot be processed in our bodies, so we must find another way to get it. Consuming a variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables is one way to do this.
One warning about eating too much brightly colored produce: it can make you sleepy! So, if you are a busy person who does not eat at least until after your period, it is important to make sure you still meet your daily needs with this food source.
How to control your diabetes
Having diabetes can be frustrating. You can’t avoid things that contain sugar or carbohydrates, and you may have to be more careful about when and how you eat to keep your blood glucose levels in check.
This includes the cost of your treatment. While prescription drugs may not seem like a big cost, shopping around can save you a large portion of the money. Learn how to manage your diabetes safely by staying on a healthy Diabetes Management Program (DMP) and using herbs and supplements if needed.
Many people with diabetes are on their feet for long periods of time, so finding ways to prevent foot pain is important. minimized hiking shoes or e-walkers, used walking boots if necessary, and kept athletic shoes out of the dryer to prevent wear and tear.
To prevent knee pain, kept up with exercise routines that included stretch ups and downs every few days.
Exercise and pregnancy
It may be possible for a person with diabetes who is not pregnant to get into shape by exercising. This may be important if you need to gain weight to fit around the insulin you require while pregnant.
There are a variety of ways to exercise during pregnancy. A typical walk or hike can be done every other day until you reach your full term and then you can take your normal prenatal care medications as scheduled.
At home workouts can be done daily as long as it is safe for your husband and children. Doing a Zumba or another fitness routine is also a good way to get moving at home.
Like any change in lifestyle, it takes some getting used to how you’ll feel about yourself, how much you’re eating, and how much exercise you should be doing.
Should I become pregnant if I have diabetes?
Pregnancy is a wonderful time of life. However, there are some risks for both the mother and the baby.
Diabetics cannot process glucose or sugar properly. This includes removing all references to glucose and sugar when preparing a pregnancy announcement or when discussing the baby with their doctor.
This can be problematic, as it can be difficult to tell how much blood sugar your pregnant woman needs during her period. It also makes it hard to gauge how long a pregnancy will take, as women can have trouble staying on track with their medication appointments.
Unfortunately, treatment for diabetes can sometimes affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. Fortunately, women who are in their early stages of treatment may be able to try for a baby without any consequences.
Blood sugar levels in pregnancy
Blood sugar levels in pregnancy are relatively low, which can be a problem for the baby.
If the baby is born before birth control measures can be put in place, then it is possible to get pregnant again. In order for this to happen, the mother-to-be must take her blood sugar levels in tandem with her partner’s to ensure an adequate level of glucose in the body.
It is believed that if the baby relies on its mother’s glucose source during development, then a lack of glucose could cause harm to the baby.
However, recent research suggests it may not be necessary for infants to have access to diabetes care after all. The reason for this is that once mothers develop their condition through their own care, there are no longer need for medical treatment.
Treatment may include insulin or drugs that affect insulin function
It is unknown if treatment for diabetes prevents fertilization or whether it does not, like birth control, prevent pregnancy. However, two studies did find that diabetic men were more likely to be unable to obtain a fertilization and both reported successful pregnancies.
The first study involved 39 men with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who reported becoming pregnant for the first time. All but one of the men had an unexplained pregnancy at least once before their type 1 or 2 diabetes was diagnosed.
Of the single man who reported a previous pregnancy, he had a non-diabetic woman give him an early term baby. The second man did not have a history of fertility problems, but his wife did not want to continue with an unproven procedure so he became the father of his first baby through IVF.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding exercise and diet
Women with diabetes who exercise regularly have a higher chance of becoming pregnant. This may be due to the high levels of sugars and insulin that exercise causes in the body.
Garbanzo beans, a common food ingredient, can also play a role in pregnancy. The red kidney bean is one of the top choices as an accessory during pregnancy as it improves glucose levels and increases insulin production. Garbanzo beans also appear to be a good source of fiber, which may help maintain a healthy glucose level.
As an additional tip, looking for early signs of labor such as better sleep and less morning sickness are two good ways to start planning for labor. Starting early with prenatal yoga and physical activity is also helpful, and having sex around week four or five is critical for completing delivery if needed.