Diabetes and pregnancy

Diabetes and pregnancy

If you want children and have diabetes, planning is a key word. With good blood sugar control and close follow-up, all conditions are in place for as normal a pregnancy and birth as possible. Diabetes in pregnancy can be divided into those who have known diabetes before pregnancy and those who develop diabetes during pregnancy, also called gestational diabetes.

Remember folic acid

If you are planning to become pregnant, you should start taking folic acid no later than one month before you become pregnant, this applies regardless of whether you have diabetes or not. Read more about folic acid and pregnancy here.

For those who have diabetes and want to become pregnant

Diabetes, both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes means that if you have the disease and want to get pregnant, planning is important. A successful pregnancy depends on as normal a blood sugar level as possible, so good blood sugar control is important, also before you become pregnant.

• Long-term blood sugar (HbA1c) should be below 7%.

• Kidneys and eyes should be examined before pregnancy.

• Start with folic acid (0.4 mg daily) no later than one month before you become pregnant.

Pregnancy entails a varying need for insulin and frequent self-measurements of blood sugar and frequent checks by a specialist are therefore necessary. The diet often has to be changed somewhat during pregnancy. Small meals often can make it easier to get good blood sugar control. Read more about diet and diabetes here.

The risk of your child getting diabetes is small, less than 5% get diabetes before they are 25 years old. If you have a lot of diabetes in your family, the risk is greater.

For those who develop diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is more common in immigrants from Asia and Africa. Most people who get gestational diabetes get rid of it after the birth.

Medicines for diabetes during pregnancy

Insulin requirements often vary during pregnancy. Many people notice that the need falls in the first half, while it rises again in the latter half of the pregnancy. After birth, however, the need for insulin falls again. Self-measurement of blood sugar and good contact with a doctor are therefore important. If you have type 2 diabetes, you should usually use insulin during pregnancy. Those who develop diabetes during pregnancy are usually treated with dietary changes, blood sugar-regulating tablets or insulin.

Sources:

Norwegian Diabetes Association, Norwegian electronic drug handbook, Norwegian electronic medical handbook and the Joint Catalog.