Becoming pregnant with type 1 or type 2 diabetes presents women with unique challenges that require special attention to diabetes management. Carefully managing diabetes before and during pregnancy is crucial to ensure the health of both the mother and the baby.
In this blog post, we discuss how you can prepare for pregnancy as a diabetes patient, the risks involved for you and the baby, and how a healthy diet and supplements can help.
Preparing for pregnancy with diabetes: Important steps
Effective diabetes management: Before attempting to conceive, it is crucial to optimize your blood sugar levels. Well-controlled HbA1c levels significantly reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Generally, diabetes does not necessarily have a direct negative impact on female fertility. However, some factors should be considered when trying to conceive with diabetes. For women with type 1 diabetes experiencing menstrual irregularities, the cycle can often be normalized through intensified insulin therapy, combining short- and long-acting insulin.
If type 2 diabetes and obesity are accompanied by PCOS, weight reduction can already have positive effects. Achieving a normal body weight can normalize metabolism and subsequently the menstrual cycle.
Regular monitoring: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can be particularly helpful. It's also important to regularly monitor blood pressure, lipid levels, and thyroid function to rule out over- or under-functioning.
Consultation with your doctor: Schedule a discussion with your diabetologist to adjust your medication and receive specific advice for your situation. Your doctor will likely recommend more frequent check-ups to ensure your blood sugar remains stable.
Male fertility with diabetes: In men, undiagnosed early-stage type 2 diabetes (prediabetes) may contribute to infertility. At this stage, blood sugar levels are already elevated even in the absence of obvious symptoms. Nerves and blood vessels may already be damaged, affecting potency. This issue can be addressed through a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and regular exercise.
Supporting fertility with supplements
Even before pregnancy, fertility experts recommend taking additional micronutrients. While micronutrients cannot replace diabetes treatment, they play a supportive role in preparing for and during pregnancy:
Follicle maturation: Ubiquinol Coenzyme Q10
Cell protection: NAC, selenium & alpha-lipoic acid
Anti-inflammatory: Omega-3 fatty acids
Cell growth & division: Folic acid as bioavailable folate
Menstrual cycle: Myo-inositol, NAC
VILAVT Female contains all relevant nutrients, optimally dosed to support female fertility and pregnancy, even with diabetes.
Diabetes treatment during pregnancy
Gestational diabetes: Even if you did not have diabetes before pregnancy, you could develop gestational diabetes. Like other types of diabetes, good blood sugar control is crucial here.
To minimize the risk of gestational diabetes, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle before pregnancy. A balanced diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins can significantly reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. Supplementation with high-quality micronutrient supplements supports optimal maternal and fetal nutrition during pregnancy.
Experts recommend that pregnant women engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week to promote health and prevent gestational diabetes. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy is essential.
Regular medical check-ups, including monitoring blood sugar levels, are essential for taking early action if necessary. These prevention strategies not only help prevent gestational diabetes but also contribute to an overall healthier pregnancy.
Nutrition and exercise: A balanced and nutrient-rich diet helps regulate blood sugar levels. Moderate exercise can also help control blood sugar and should be done after consulting with your doctor.
After birth
After birth, it is important to monitor both mother and child closely. Continue your regular blood sugar checks. After delivery, the mother's insulin requirement decreases suddenly, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully readjust insulin dosing on an individual basis.
With the onset of milk production, insulin requirements may further decrease and require adjustments. It is also important to ensure an adequate intake of carbohydrates throughout the day to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia during or after breastfeeding. Continued care by your doctor is recommended to ensure the health of both you and your baby.
Risks for the mother with diabetes
High blood sugar levels during pregnancy can lead to the baby being unusually large and heavy, often with a birth weight of over 4,500 grams. This increases the risk of birth complications and often necessitates a cesarean section.
Additionally, existing diabetes complications, such as problems with the eyes, kidneys, or nerves, may worsen during pregnancy. These conditions require timely and appropriate treatment to minimize the risk to both mother and child.
Later in pregnancy, there may be an increase in blood pressure, necessitating regular blood pressure monitoring at home.
Pregnant women with diabetes are also more susceptible to infections of the genital and urinary organs, which can increase the risk of preterm birth.
Of particular concern is the risk of preeclampsia, also known as gestosis or pregnancy-induced hypertension. This condition, characterized by high blood pressure and the excretion of protein in the urine, can escalate to eclampsia – a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate hospital treatment.
Risks for the child with diabetes
In the early stages of pregnancy, when the child's internal organs are developing, poorly controlled blood sugar levels can lead to malformations, particularly in the heart, nervous system, and lungs.
Additionally, there is an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm birth; the risk of preterm birth in mothers with diabetes is nearly five times higher. However, these risks can be significantly reduced through professional counseling, careful metabolic control, and regular blood sugar monitoring.
Other typical complications in newborns of mothers with diabetes include hypoglycemia, jaundice, and respiratory problems, all of which require attentive medical monitoring.
Conclusion
With the right planning and support, you can have a healthy and successful pregnancy with diabetes. It's important to work closely with your healthcare team, focus on a balanced and nutrient-rich diet, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
With careful planning and professional support, it is possible to experience a healthy and successful pregnancy despite having diabetes. It's essential to collaborate closely with your healthcare team to optimize your medical care. Additionally, consistently focus on a balanced diet – supported by high-quality micronutrient supplements – and lead a healthy lifestyle to create the best conditions for your pregnancy.
