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Diabetes: Preparing for Pregnancy

Overview

If you have diabetes and are planning to become pregnant, meet with your doctor. Things to discuss include:

  • Your A1c goal, your medicine for diabetes, and your weight.
  • Whether your immunizations are up-to-date and whether you're getting enough folic acid.
  • The safety of any prescription and over-the-counter medicines and natural health products you take.
  • Your cholesterol, thyroid, eyes, and blood pressure, to see if you need treatment changes.
  • Possible blood sugar problems during pregnancy. For example, many women have low blood sugar in early pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, they develop more insulin resistance.
  • The risks to your baby. Your diabetes will put your baby at risk for birth defects. This is especially true if you don't keep your blood sugar in your target range during early pregnancy. High blood sugar while you are pregnant can cause problems. For example, it can cause your baby to be very large.

Credits

Current as of: March 1, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Femi Olatunbosun MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology