Diabetes and pregnancy does take a little more work than the non-diabetic for this reason alone there are Clinics scattered around the country with expert medical doctors who use the latest technology and health care workers that are at your disposal.

If you have diabetes and pregnancy is on the agenda in the near future planning a baby plans will need to discussed with your diabetes specialist well before you conceive.

There is a percentage rate of 0.4% of pregnancies occur in women who have diabetes call Pre-Gestational diabetes and a further 2-5% of women that develop diabetes in the 2^nd half of their pregnancy and this is called Gestational Diabetes.

Diabetes and Pregnancy – the facts

In a normal pregnancy where the woman is a non-diabetic the body produces enough insulin to overcome the effect of pregnancy has on the body and over this time the blood glucose remains normal.  With the type 1 Diabetic can’t make enough insulin and needs 2-3 times the usual dose.

The increasing need for insulin usually subsides and stabilizes around 7 weeks prior to the delivery and in fact sometimes 2 weeks before the birth may experience hypoglycaemia.  When the baby is delivered the insulin needs drop considerably.

For woman with type 1 diabetes could also have retinopathy before she is pregnant.  If it is severe the eyes may deteriorate further during the pregnancy.

Eye disease – Diabetes and Pregnancy:

Eye disease must be stabilized before pregnancy is attempted.  There is also kidney disease can increase during pregnancy and maybe harmful for both Mother and baby.  If severe permanent worsening of the disease is unusual but a temporary decline in kidney function could happen.

The complications of diabetes and pregnancy is very real and to avoid problems the best course of action is be controlling your blood glucose levels well before conception is even considered.