Pregnancy in diabetic women

You are diabetic and you want a child. Is it dangerous for you or the baby? How to avoid complications? Even before conceiving a child, please talk with your doctor. It is important to plan this event with him.

Pregnancy of diabetic women is considered a risk pregnancy. However, it may take place without any problems, provided that glycemic control is as perfect as possible, at the time of conception and during pregnancy. This will require careful monitoring of blood glucose, and regular medical monitoring.

Pregnancy worsens diabetes

During pregnancy, the body of the mother is undergoing profound changes. The placenta secretes a particular hormone, placental lactogen (HPL), which will increase insulin resistance of the organism. And this hormone produced from the fifth week, and much more important during the 9 months.


In women without diabetes, the pancreas adapts insulin secretion and increases progressively during pregnancy. For some, the adjustment is insufficient, thus leading to gestational diabetes disappears after pregnancy. Diabetic women, there was obviously a spontaneous aggravation, an increase of poor glycemic control.

Risks in the absence of treatment

If the diabetic woman does not change its habits and its treatment, it may all disorders related to uncontrolled diabetes (hypertension, hypoglycemia, disorders of arteries ....), but mostly it is important to take risks to her baby.

During the design and the first quarter, the blood sugar imbalance can cause malformations (incomplete closure of neural tube defects, congenital heart disease, bone dysgenesis).

In the second quarter, the risk of macrosomia (baby too big) or polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) that make delivery difficult or dangerous.

In the third quarter, the imbalance retards lung maturation of the child, and especially hypoglycemia can cause the baby at birth.

Cases of intrauterine death, whose causes are not necessarily well defined, have been described. It is therefore essential to achieve an optimal balance of diabetes.

A planned pregnancy

Ideally, to prevent the occurrence of defects is to have a balanced blood sugar for at least three months, and a normal glycosylated hemoglobin at the time of conception. So you must tell her pregnancy with her physician. Take time to talk at length with him, ask him any questions you deem necessary, and do not let the shadow points of detail. This is your involvement in the balance of your diabetes will determine the health of your child!

As with any diabetic, diabetes control depends primarily on the diet: calorie intake are normal but carbohydrate intake meal by meal should be perfectly regular. If necessary, it may be time to go back to a dietician.