What types of diabetes can happen in pregnancy?When a baby is born to a mother with diabetes, the baby is at risk for problems. Show
People with diabetes have high levels of sugar in their blood (hyperglycemia). Over time, this can lead to serious health problems. Keeping your blood sugar under control lowers your risk for complications. You can manage diabetes by eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking medicine. Two types of diabetes can happen in pregnancy. These are:
It’s important to manage your blood sugar during pregnancy. This can lower your baby’s risk for problems. How can having diabetes during pregnancy be harmful to your baby?In pregnancy, the placenta gives a growing baby nutrients and water. It also makes hormones you need for healthy pregnancy. Some of these hormones can block insulin. This often starts at 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. As the placenta grows, it makes more of these hormones. This means that the pancreas must make more insulin. Normally, the pancreas is able to make enough insulin. If it doesn’t, gestational diabetes occurs. Pregnancy may also change the insulin needs of a woman who already has diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, you may need more insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, you may need to start using insulin or you may need more insulin. When you have diabetes, your baby is at risk for many problems. These issues can happen in pregnancy and after birth. The problems happen when your blood sugar isn’t controlled well. Who is at risk for gestational diabetes?The following factors increase your risk for gestational diabetes:
What are the symptoms your baby may have?During pregnancy, the following can happen to your baby:
The following problems may happen to your baby after they are born:
How is diabetes during pregnancy diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will check you for diabetes during pregnancy. If you have risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as being overweight, your provider will check you early in pregnancy. Your provider may test you during your first checkup. Your healthcare provider will screen you for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. This screening is done using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). An OGTT checks a woman's blood sugar levels after she has sugar (glucose). You may have one of these tests:
How are pregnant women with diabetes and their babies treated?During pregnancy, your healthcare provider will watch you and your baby closely. You may be treated by a specialist who cares for pregnant women with diabetes. Controlling your blood sugar levels is a must. This is the best way to reduce your baby’s risks. You’ll likely need to do the following to care for your diabetes:
Your baby’s treatment depends on how well you controlled your blood sugar during your pregnancy and during labor and delivery. Treatment will also depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. MonitoringYour baby’s healthcare provider may draw their blood. This will check your baby’s blood sugar, blood calcium, and other levels. This may be done through a heel stick, a needle in your baby's arm, or an umbilical catheter (a tube placed in your baby's umbilical cord). GlucoseYour baby may need a glucose and water mixture as an early feeding. Or your baby may need glucose given into a vein by IV (intravenously). Your baby’s healthcare provider will closely watch the baby's blood sugar levels. This is done in case your baby’s blood sugar levels drop too low. Help with breathingYour baby may need oxygen or a breathing machine to breathe better. Your child may need extra care if they have birth defects or injuries. Your child may need to see a specialist. This depends on their condition. Can gestational diabetes be prevented?Caring for your diabetes well can lower your baby’s risks. Eating a healthy diet, testing your blood sugar, and taking insulin can help you care for your condition. Having gestational diabetes raises your risk for diabetes later in life. If you had gestational diabetes, your healthcare provider will test you for diabetes after you give birth. This is often done 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born. Your provider will continue to check you for diabetes because of your risk. After birth, your child’s healthcare provider should also regularly check the baby for diabetes. An early diagnosis and treatment can lower their risk for problems. Key points about diabetes during pregnancy: risks to the baby
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
What is most common problem of infants with a diabetic mother is?Infants of diabetic mothers are prone to various neonatal adverse outcomes, including metabolic and hematologic disorders, respiratory distress, cardiac disorders and neurologic impairment due to perinatal asphyxia and birth traumas, among others.
What are potential complications for infants born to diabetic mothers?Infants born to mothers with glucose intolerance are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality related to the following: Respiratory distress. Growth abnormalities (large for gestational age [LGA], small for gestational age [SGA]) Hyperviscosity secondary to polycythemia.
What happens to babies born to diabetic mothers?Because of the extra insulin made by the baby's pancreas, newborns may have very low blood glucose levels at birth and are also at higher risk for breathing problems. Babies born with excess insulin become children who are at risk for obesity and adults who are at risk for type 2 diabetes.
What is the most likely complication of a pregnant diabetic mother with a big baby?Very large babies — those who weigh 9 pounds or more — are more likely to become wedged in the birth canal, have birth injuries or need a C-section birth. Early (preterm) birth. High blood sugar may increase the risk of early labor and delivery before the due date.
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