Pregnancy

Blood glucose control is as important before pregnancy as it is during pregnancy. That is why some diabetes experts refer to a “12-month pregnancy” for women with diabetes.

Your blood glucose levels should be as near to normal as possible for about three months before you become pregnant, ensuring the healthiest possible environment for your baby’s conception.

Blood glucose levels for which to aim:

When your blood glucose level is too high in the months before or during pregnancy, your developing baby is exposed to the high levels. The baby’s risk of birth defects also increases, as does your risk of miscarriage. The longer your blood glucose levels remain high, the higher the risks to you and your baby.

Careful blood glucose control during pregnancy, especially during the first six to eight weeks, is critical. This is when the baby’s major organs form. Exposure to high blood glucose can cause these organs to form incorrectly. Tight control during this time reduces the risk of birth defects.

Many women wonder if their baby will be born with diabetes. The answer is no. You cannot pass diabetes on to your baby during pregnancy. There are, however, a few considerations.

• If you have type 1 diabetes, your child has a slightly increased risk of developing diabetes later on. About 2 percent of children born to a parent with type 1 diabetes develop diabetes. If a family has many members with type 1 diabetes, risk increases. You may want to discuss your baby’s risks with your doctor.
• If you have type 2 diabetes, your child has about a 33 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes as a teen or an adult. Younger children who are very overweight also can develop type 2 diabetes. Encouraging your child to exercise and maintain a healthy weight may help prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes.

Learn more.

• Prepregnancy care
• Goals during pregnancy
• Blood glucose during pregnancy