Prepregnancy care

Blood glucose levels should be as near to normal as possible for about three months before a woman with diabetes becomes pregnant. This ensures the healthiest possible environment for the baby's conception. It also reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy.

If possible, it is a good idea for women with diabetes to visit their health care providers to help in pregnancy planning. Providers can help create a plan for getting (and keeping) blood glucose levels on target. They also can assess if the mother-to-be has any diabetes complications. If complications exist, treatment might be recommended before pregnancy.

Target blood glucose levels before pregnancy

• A fasting blood glucose test is done when a person has had nothing but water for at least eight hours.
• A casual, or random, blood glucose test can be done at any time.

Even if a woman's blood glucose levels were not well controlled before her pregnancy, it is important to focus on staying on target during the pregnancy.

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