Whether you had diabetes before you become pregnant or developed it during pregnancy, what you eat should be carefully planned out. The medical symptoms you have with type 1 diabetes can worsen with pregnancy. If not carefully monitored, pregnant women with diabetes can develop preeclampsia and hydramnios, their baby can be born with respiratory distress syndrome and they are more likely to have a miscarriage or stillbirth. Careful meal planning, a healthy diet and monitoring of blood sugar levels can help you maintain your health and your baby's health during pregnancy.
Maintaing Blood Sugar Levels
To maintain your blood sugar levels, you'll need to begin by monitoring them closely. You'll want to check your blood sugar more frequently when you're pregnant than you did before. If you're noticing a drastic change in your blood glucose levels, discuss this immediately with your doctor. It is possible that you might need to start taking medication or begin a new medication routine because pregnancy tends to heighten the symptoms of diabetes.
Meal Planning
As a diabetic, you already know the importance of meal planning. This habit is even more crucial when you are pregnant. Do not skip meals. Plan three set times each day that you can eat a full meal. You'll also want to have a small snack between meals to maintain levels. Besides planning when to eat, carefully plan what you eat throughout your day. A well-balanced diet is important to every pregnant woman, but when you have diabetes you need to plan how much carbohydrates, protein, fruits, vegetables and dairy you are eating throughout your day and at what times. For example, eating fewer carbohydrates at breakfast is beneficial because your insulin resistance is at its highest.
Healthy Foods While Pregnant
Many of the foods you are encouraged to eat for diabetes are the same ones you'll want to eat when pregnant. Carbohydrates have the largest impact on blood sugar levels, and you should choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains, oats, rice and cereal. These also will provide you with other vitamins and nutrients that are essential to the health of your baby. Iron-rich foods like lean meats, poultry and fish will help you feel full and help your baby grow. Fruits and vegetables are where you will find most of your vitamins and also sources of folic acid. Talk to your doctor about a prenatal vitamin to supplement what you might not be getting enough of in your diet.
Recommendations
If you have type 1 diabetes and would like to get pregnant, it is beneficial to plan your pregnancy. By planning with your doctor when to have a baby you'll be able to more closely monitor your body and blood sugar. Follow up with your doctor regularly, even if you have just a small problem. By meeting with your doctor frequently, you'll be able to catch any minor irregularities before they develop into a larger problem. Whether or not you exercised before you were pregnant, you'll want to exercise during pregnancy. Exercise helps to maintain blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor about pregnancy-appropriate exercises and how to ease into a fitness routine.
