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Treatment for Diabetes During Pregnancy

When you get pregnant, you probably never think that treatment for diabetes will be one of the things you worry about – until you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, that is.
Here are a few hints, tips and facts about treatment for diabetes during pregnancy, so that you know what to expect.
Gestational Diabetes – Anyone Can Get It
One of the most shocking parts of being told that you need treatment for diabetes during pregnancy is that very often; women who get this news have never suffered from diabetes before.
If you are already a sufferer of diabetes, then you are expecting treatment for diabetes during pregnancy, but many women who have never had diabetes also find that they need this type of treatment.
What Does Treatment for Diabetes During Pregnancy Entail?
When you are first told that you need treatment for diabetes while you are pregnant, you probably have visions of needles, and all the other things that go with treatment for diabetics.
However, the good news is that in most cases, treatment for diabetes during pregnancy does not involve insulin injections, and you’ll probably only be given a diet to follow, and tips on changes to your exercise routine, and other lifestyle management advice.
You will probably be diagnosed during a routine check up, which is when most blood sugar problems during pregnancy are diagnosed, and your doctor will use the test results to determine your ideal blood sugar range.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Treatment for Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is completely manageable, and the treatment for diabetes during pregnancy is usually simple and non invasive. However, if your condition goes undiagnosed, and you don’t get treatment for diabetes, there are a number of things that can go wrong, including:
  • Abnormally large babies.  Very often, the babies of women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but who don’t receive treatment for diabetes, will grow too large, too fast.  That may mean difficulty during labour, or you might need to have a c-section.
  • Mothers who don’t get adequate treatment for diabetes during pregnancy are more at risk for high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.
  • Babies born to mums who are either receiving treatment for diabetes, or who were not diagnosed, are at risk of low blood sugar, and of other deficiencies, including calcium. They’re also prone to blood disorders. They may need to be monitored closely, or even given a drug soon after birth, to correct one or the other problems.
Get Diagnosed, and Get Treatment
The simple fact is that getting treatment for diabetes if you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes can minimise the risk of all sorts of nasty problems and complications occurring during your pregnancy and after your baby is born. Finding out sooner, rather than later, is always a good idea.
It’s far simpler to get diagnosed, and to get diabetes treatment early on than it is to correct the problem if you leave it too late.  So have yourself tested when next you visit your doctor, and if you need treatment for diabetes start it immediately.  You will be glad you did.