Getting a Grip on Having a High-Risk Pregnancy for Diabetic Mothers-to-be

When I discovered I was pregnant, I knew I was not ready to be a mother or in anyway ready to achieve the numerous demands on me because of my type two diabetes. Over the course of the first 20 or so weeks, I learned that discipline (which was probably what I had been lacking) was my best aid in getting through the pregnancy successfully. Here are some tips I believe will be helpful to any diabetic woman embarking on her first pregnancy.

First, find a specialist. In North Carolina Duke University has a perinatal clinic. These doctors specialize in high-risk patients, which include diabetic mothers. Initially, I was going to an OB/GYN that had been referred to me by my primary care physician. While the doctor was board certified, I felt more comfortable working with specialists in the field. Initially, the doctor suggested that I could be co-managed by him and the specialists, but I decided that 1) I did not want to pay double and 2) that I wanted the absolute best care for me and my baby.

Next, as a diabetic mother,I learned from my doctors, you have to be in control. I admit that initially my diabetes was not in the best control nor was it ideal for getting pregnant, but during the first trimester under the care and scrutiny of my endocrinologist, obstetrician gynecologist (ob/gyn), and nutritionist, I was able to achieve an A1C level of less that 6.5, which I later learned was the goal for diabetic mothers treated by Duke Perinatal. At first, control is challenging, but as the weeks pass, it becomes easier. A word of caution your mood swings may be more severe if your A1C levels were extremely high before the pregnancy.

Get help creating a meal plan. Part of being in control is watching what you eat and not just increasing medication. At the onset of my pregnancy, I was referred to the Lifestyle center at Alamance Regional Medical Center where I met with a nurse and nutritionist over the course of several weeks to get a good handle on a meal plan for me during the pregnancy. I think this support was also instrumental in my staying in control.

You should exercise. If you have not been very active, exercise can greatly help you during your pregnancy. In addition to being good for the baby as so many sources indicate, it is also good for you, especially if you are a type 2 diabetic. My ob/gyn at Duke Perinatal suggested beginning with 10 - 15 minute walks during the day and building up to about 40 minutes (or two miles). During the first trimester, this was almost impossible for me because I was so tired, but into the second trimester it got lots easier. By the third trimester, you may not feel like taking your daily walk for as long, but (if the doctor gives the green light) you should try to exercise. (See also What to Expect When You're Expecting).

Be sure to get a lot of rest. I subscribed to several online communities for pregnant women during my pregnancy. One snippet I remember most was from Strongmoms.com that had advice from other moms. That advice was to take a nap everyday. While my schedule, never quite allowed a nap everyday, I made sure to take naps when the opportunity presented itself and if I didn't have time to nap, I tried to get a few minutes of down time. It helped tremendously. I had to accept that while I was pregnant, I did not have the energy to do everything I used to do.

Have a positive attitude. Pregnancy is an emotional roller coaster (or at least mine was). Keeping a positive attitude helped significantly especially later on when it was hot, my feet were swollen, and I did not like people in general. I tried to read my Bible more, but no matter your faith, you can write down positive affirmations for yourself and also talk to the baby. During my second trimester, I found talking the baby always cheered me up especially when she moved in response.

Finally, get all the information you can. Ask your doctors questions. Read books, magazines, and internet articles. Talk to other pregnant women and the women you know who have recently had children. Knowledge is power, and the more you know about the risks and how to avoid them, the better off you and baby will be.