Like any other woman, Diabetics have to take certain precautions during pregnancy, but with the right diet and a little extra attention, there is no reason why you should not have a perfectly healthy child. All the usual advice applies, such as eating a healthy, well balanced diet, avoiding drinking and smoking and making sure you take the correct vitamins.

Once you are pregnant it is important to maintain your blood glucose at near normal levels, especially in the early stages, when your baby is growing most rapidly. You run the highest chance of miscarriage during this phase and high glucose levels can increase the risk of complications. Your doctor will be able to advise you on a suitable meal plan.

Sufferers taking hypoglycaemic medication or controlling their condition through diet and exercise will be moved to insulin injections and you will need to adjust to this by monitoring your body’s glucose levels carefully. Gradually, over the course of your pregnancy your need for insulin will increase. You can help regulate it by sticking to an agreed meal plan and learning to adjust your jabs as required.

Food intake is especially important during pregnancy; after all, you are controlling both the nutrition and glucose levels of two people now and you will have to accommodate your food intake accordingly, increasing your daily intake by around 300 calories.

Over the course of your pregnancy you will become an expert in controlling your blood sugar levels and it is important throughout never to miss meals and snack breaks. If you suffer from morning sickness contact your doctor immediately, and if sticking to three large meals a day becomes uncomfortable, split them into six or even eight smaller servings.

Your doctor will know exactly how you need to manage your condition over the course of your pregnancy and be able to advise you throughout.

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