Delivering a healthy child is the sole focus of an expecting mother. This, however, becomes a bit complicated if the mother is diabetic or acquired gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Why? For pregnant women with diabetes, a number of complications can arise leading to miscarriage, premature birth and other birth defects, and high blood pressure.
If you’re battling diabetes while pregnant, you are not alone. According to the March of Dimes, 7 percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes – a condition where your body has too much glucose in the blood.
Here are some tips to take control of your diabetes and ensure a healthy pregnancy:
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1. Talk to your doctor.
If you’re diabetic and planning to have a baby, speak with your physician about your A1C levels and any nutritional plans to help manage your diabetes. Type-1 diabetics should ask about their kidneys, thyroid and eye.
2. Weight watch
Being overweight is not good for your fetus, especially if you’re living with diabetes. Try shedding a few pounds by following healthy diet plans. It’s time to let go of any processed foods and added sugars to focus on...
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...more plant-based dishes. Add more vegetables to your plate, as they are low in calories and carbs, which is good for your blood sugar.
3. Manage morning sickness woes.
It’s important to eat every two to three hours to avoid the nausea. If your levels are low, try a small amount of fast-acting carbs like honey or juice before having breakfast – including healthy proteins such as eggs or plain Greek yogurt.
4. Exercise.
Getting in regular movement, like walking, during your pregnancy can be beneficial in the same way exercise has been shown to help manage diabetes for those who aren't pregnant. Exercise helps to normalize glucose levels, along with helping to control your weight, assist with getting better sleep and boosting your energy overall.
