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It is generally thought that about one third of people with diabetes don’t know they have it. This is mostly true of type 2 diabetes, as type 1, which is the inability to produce insulin at all, generally occurs and is diagnosed early in life.

In the UK, a mother-to-be who is unaware that she has diabetes will in all likelihood find out if she has the disease in the very early stage of her pregnancy, as their doctor will take a urine sample and check for the disease.

However, as well as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there is also a diabetic condition called gestational diabetes. This affects some women who are not diabetic in any form before pregnancy, but become so in and during the latter stages of their pregnancy.

In this case, the mother-to-be will have to monitor her blood glucose closely, and keep it stable by injecting insulin, which is something that can be a little stressful for some, rather than take any oral medication. This is because oral medications used for treating diabetes can damage the foetus.

Type 1 sufferers must pay close attention to diet and blood sugar in the run up to conception, and may find that they need more insulin than normal when pregnant. This is because a side effect of pregnancy is a hormone that makes the insulin less effective than when the woman is not pregnant.

Type 2 diabetics also need to monitor their sugar levels closely during pregnancy, and will also, if they are using any oral medication, learn how to inject insulin for the same reason as those who contract gestational diabetes.

In all cases, these people should be closely checked by their medical teams.

The reason why blood sugar levels need to be monitored and kept stable is because if not, there is an elevated risk of a miscarriage or a congenital deformity.

Combine these risks with the fact that smoking can also contribute to damaging your newborn, and you have the perfect motivation for quitting smoking, taking some exercise (moderate gentle exercise during pregnancy is a good idea) and embarking on a new diet, to get both the baby and the mother in good shape.

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A diabetic diet should include limits on carbohydrates and increases in protein. Sugars should be eliminated as well as white flour. Pasta and rice are also rich in carbohydrates. One way someone can follow a good diabetic diet is to follow some of the low carb diets that were popular some years back. Many of these diets either eliminated or limited carbohydrates. There are also many different diabetic cookbooks for those with this condition that can help a person live a happier, healthier life.

Research Source: information-guide.org/recipesfordiabetics/

Signs of Gestational Diabetes – Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

Diabetes is an illness that affects millions around the world, and if left untreated, serious health problems can crop up. The same can be said for gestational diabetes. Even though this form of diabetes is a temporary one, since it only occurs during pregnancy, damage to the developing baby is a real possibility, not to mention harmful to the mother, as well. So, if you’re diagnosed it pays to understand the gestational diabetes risks that can be involved.

Some of the major issues that are present with gestational diabetes affect the unborn child more than the mother. Studies show that babies that are born to mothers who have untreated gestational diabetes can be born macrosomic, which means the baby is born very obese. This can be extremely dangerous not just to the long term health of the baby, but it also increases the chances of complications during delivery. The chances of some kind of harm coming to the mother during delivery if the baby is heavier are much greater than if the baby is normal sized.

One of the conditions the mother has to endure while suffering from gestational diabetes is hyperglycemia, which is too much sugar in the blood. Ironically, however, the baby will most likely suffer from hypoglycaemia, which means too little sugar in the blood. This condition is just as dangerous, but when it is affecting a brand new life, it can turn deadly.

Babies born to mothers who suffered from gestational diabetes during pregnancy can also show malformation of the lungs, which can result in severe breathing problems, which can have life long impacts. Studies have shown that if the baby survives past the initial health problems, he or she is more likely to grow up obese and have to fight being overweight for the rest of their lives, as well as having to deal with a glucose (sugar) intolerance, too.

Another condition that is closely associated with babies born from mothers who suffered from gestational diabetes is the presence of jaundice. While the condition isn’t life threatening to your baby, it should be closely watched by a medical professional. It is caused by the liver not being fully formed during birth and not performing as it should.

Continue reading for the risks to mothers and sign up for the free newsletter below to discover natural methods for overcoming gestational diabetes.

For the mother, the two major side effects from suffering from gestational diabetes are high blood pressure, probably from the stress of having gestational diabetes and worrying about what it is doing to your foetus as well as from the actual diabetes, and an increased likelihood of getting non-gestational diabetes later in life.

The best course of action is to consult a medical professional and make sure that any gestational diabetes risks are treated properly from the first trimester of your pregnancy to the end.

Gestational Diabetes Risks and Complications

Pregnancy is a period that most women wish to experience and cherish but there are certain pregnancy risks that could create complications. If you are planning on getting pregnant it will help if you observed certain precautions that can avert some of the pregnancy complications.

Pregnancy Risks : an Overview

All women would love to have a healthy pregnancy and it can help if they take necessary precautions from the pre pregnancy days itself.

There are several types of pregnancy risks such as the age and physical structure of a woman. Obese, short women have more chances of suffering from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. it is recommended that women consult their physician and consider taking up mild to moderate exercises to keep them healthy and fit.

It is also a risk if the women suffer from diseases and disorders such as heart, lung or kidney diseases, diabetes, hypertension, sexually transmitted diseases and epilepsy. Women who have disorders of the reproductive organs are also at risk. Some women may have problems during pregnancy such as placental pervia, multiple babies with complications (such as Siamese twins), ectopic pregnancy, Rh factor etc.

The chances of pregnancy risks are increased if the women have had previous pregnancies with complications. Couples who have had children with birth defects, genetic disorders etc. have to consult their physician and opt for genetic counseling before they consider having a baby.

Women who are under the age of 15 and above 35 are more at risk too. Younger mothers are more prone to be associated with pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, under weight babies and pre term babies. Older mothers (above 40 years) have the risk of suffering from health complications such as hypertension, gestational diabetes and they also have a higher risk of giving birth to babies that suffer from genetic disorders and birth defects.

Women need to take proper care and nourishment before, during and after their pregnancy. Proper, well balanced diet that includes generous helpings of fresh fruits and vegetables is necessary. it is also vital to include supplements of vitamins, calcium and folic acid in order to ensure a healthy and risk free pregnancy.

Other factors that could pose as pregnancy risks include exposure to toxins, radiations, heavy metals and chemicals. it is recommended that smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs be avoided from the pre pregnancy days itself.

The mental health of a woman is also a very important factor. it will be much better if the woman is happy, healthy and has a positive frame of mind. Stress, tension and worrying may not only be pregnancy risk factors, but may also be the causative factors of unnecessary complications. it is recommended that women who are planning to have a baby read as much as they can about pregnancy and childbirth. this will help them identify any potential pregnancy risks and help them to learn how they can be avoided if possible.

Pregnancy Risks : Tips To Avoid Them

Hello, I am writing a fictional story, and one of the characters is pregnant.

I need something for the plot that involves the pregnancy, so I was thinking of having to make the pregnant woman be hospitalized briefly for a complication or something.

But I want it to be as realistic as possible, so what could I possibly use for my story? Precclampsia, diabetes, what else is there to use???

Thanks.

What are some pregnancy complications or dangers?

Speaking about health before pregnancy, we mean way of life, nutrition, physical activity, habits, and also possible chronic diseases, such as heightened blood pressure or diabetes. if you have such diseases, then you just have to visit a doctor beforehand. You know, this may complicate pregnancy, bring harm to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor which medicinal preparations and in which doses you take. Doctor will recommend you tests and observations you should pass, for example, X-ray photography. Try to discuss all questions you have for the moment.

It is much simpler to think over a strategy of treatment before pregnancy and then worrying about complications.

Diabetes
Diabetes – it is a disease, appearing as a result of lack of insulin in organism, this hormone is produced by pancreas. if you have diabetes, it will be more difficult for you to become pregnant. Moreover, diabetes can influence passing of pregnancy seriously. first of all, it can become a reason of miscarriage or giving birth to a dead baby. Secondly, women suffering from diabetes can give birth to babies with inborn defects.
You can reduce risk of such complications due to constant control of sugar content in blood during pregnancy. if you don’t care of your state, then diabetes while pregnancy may turn out to be dangerous both for you and your future baby. Majority of complications, connected with diabetes, are displayed during first trimester, i.e. during first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy may cause complications of state while diabetes, what will require increase of insulin doses. this can be easily determined with help of test on sugar content in blood. Majority of doctors recommend taking a special care of this disease development during at least 2-3 months before conception. this will help to reduce probability of risk of miscarriage or other problems. Probably, you will have to pass tests on sugar content in blood several times per day, to control disease completely and avoid possible complications. past experience shows that women, suffering from diabetes, had serious problems with conception and passing of pregnancy. but die to complete and constant control even women-diabetics can count on successful result of pregnancy and delivery.

If in your family there were cases of diabetes or you have slightest suspicions as for your own health, pass tests before pregnancy surely.

Asthma
About 1% of pregnant women suffer from asthma. It is impossible to predict influence of pregnancy on asthma. Half of women, suffering from this disease, notice no changes during pregnancy, about 25% feel even slight improvement, and the rest (25%) observe worsening of state.

Majority of anti-asthma remedies are safe for pregnant, but it is still better to consult a doctor as for preparation to take. almost all who suffer from asthma know what may become a reason of fit, so avoid contact with allergens before getting pregnant and during whole pregnancy. Try to control your state yet before pregnancy.

Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can cause complication both of mother’s and unborn baby’s health. For women it is connected with risk of refusal of kidneys work, probability of hypertensic crisis or headache. Increase of a future mother’s blood pressure may become a reason for decrease of blood inflow to placenta, what will lead to delays of fetus development, i.e. a baby will weigh less, than normal while birth.

If you had high blood pressure before pregnancy, then you just have to take care of it during all 9 months. Probably, gynaecologist will send you to therapeutist’s or family doctor’s observation with this purpose.
Before making a decision to become pregnant, women, suffering from hypertension, should consult a doctor. some remedies against high blood pressure are safe for pregnant, some are not. on no account quit taking pills and reduce dose without a doctor’s prescription! this can be dangerous. if you plan giving birth to a baby, ask you doctor about remedies you are taking against high blood pressure, and about safety of taking these medicines during pregnancy.

Heart diseases
During pregnancy load on heart increases about 50%. if you have sick heart, it is necessary for your doctor to know about it before you become pregnant.

Some heart diseases, such as mitral valve prolapse, can seriously complicate passing of pregnancy. Probably, you will even have to take antibiotics before delivery. other heart diseases, such as inborn heart disease, may seriously influence state of health. in this case pregnancy and delivery are sometimes contra-indicated.

Consult your doctor as for heart diseases before you become pregnant.

Kidneys and urinary bladder diseases
Infections of urinary system, in particular urinary bladder, often appear during pregnancy. if you don’t cure disease in time, infection may pass to kidneys, causing pyelonephritis.

Infections of urinary bladder and pyelonephritis may lead to premature birth. if you ever suffered from pyelonephritis or repeating infections of urinary system, this should be determined before pregnancy.

Stones in kidneys also may complicate passing pf pregnancy. this disease is accompanied by severe pains in lower part of belly, so it is quite difficult to diagnose it during pregnancy. Moreover, stones in kidneys may become a reason of appearance of infections of urinary system and pyelonephritis.

If you ever had some only infection of urinary bladder, you should not worry a lot. but you still should inform your doctor about it. He will decide whether you need to pass more careful observation before pregnancy.

Thyroid gland diseases
Thyroid gland diseases may appear both because of excess or lack of thyroid hormone. Excess of hormone is called thyrotoxicosis. in this case metabolism in human organism is speeded up. this may be caused by Graves’ disease. Thyrotoxicosis is usually cured with help of operation of medicinal remedies, reducing content of thyroid hormone in organism. if you don’t cure this disease, there’s rather high level of risk premature birth and giving birth to a baby with low weight.

You can carry our treatment during pregnancy too: there’re quite safe preparations, which pregnant women may take.

Lack of thyroid hormone – hypothyroidism – is usually caused by disease of autoimmune origin. in this case thyroid gland is damaged by anti-bodies, which are produced by your organism. while hypothyroidism taking of thyroid hormones is prescribed. not cured hypothyroidism threatens with sterility or habitual noncarrying of pregnancy.

If you have thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism, you need to pass through observation before pregnancy, to determine doses of medicinal remedies, necessary for treatment. in the process of pregnancy your necessity in preparations may change, and then you will have to pass another observation.

Anemia
Anemia means that there’s lack of haemoglobin in your organism. There’re several reasons and in connection with this several kinds of anemia. Symptoms of anemia are weakness, giddiness, lack of air and pale skin.
During pregnancy necessity of organism in iron and iron-containing substances increases. if in the beginning of pregnancy you suffer from lack of iron in blood, anemia increases this lack. So you need to take vitamins and preparations, containing full choice of microelements, necessary for organism.

One of specific types of anemia – sicle-cell disease, which is passed genetically: it is mainly spread among black population. if you suffer from sicle-cell disease, your organism is deprived of oxygen. Passing of this kind of anemia can be very painful, and it also may serve as a reason for other diseases and complications during pregnancy. Sicle-cell disease cannot be cured and may be passed to your baby. Women, suffering from sicle-cell disease, have very high percent of miscarriages and infections of urinary system. they also may suffer from high blood pressure and painful hypertension strokes.

Another kind of anemia – thalassanemia is also passed genetically. if some of your relatives suffers from thalassanemia or you suppose you can have it, check it before pregnancy.

Lupus
Lupus is a vascular disease of autoimmune origin. this means your organism produces anti-bodies that may destroy your organs or influence functions of these organs negatively. Lupus can affect different organs, including joints, kidneys, lungs and heart.

This disease is hard to diagnose. one woman of 700 in the age from 15 to 64 years suffers from lupus. Among black women it is met more often, in one case of 254. As a rule, lupus more often strikes women, than men, especially women of genital age, i.e. from 20 to 40 years.

Lupus treatment is highly individual and usually means taking if steroids. It is better not to become pregnant during fit of this disease, as miscarriages are extremely often among women suffering from lupus. Risk of giving birth to a dead baby also increases.

Babies, born from mothers, suffering from lupus, can have rash. they also can have different heart diseases. Premature birth and delay of pre-natal development of fetus are also quite possible.
If you suffer from lupus, consult your doctor before pregnancy definitely.

Epilepsy and epileptic seizures
Epilepsy – is a chronic disease, characterized by different kinds of seizures (fits). Most often epilepsy is displayed by big and small epileptic seizures. Chance of giving birth to a baby with epileptic disease can be 1 of 30 for women, suffering from epilepsy. such babies have risk of in-born diseases, probably, connected with medicines, which a future mother took during pregnancy.

If you take medicines against epilepsy, it is very important to consult your doctor before pregnancy. Discuss doses and type of medicines, which you take, as many preparations, relieving seizures of epilepsy, cause in-born diseases in babies. However, there are safe remedies for fetus, for example, Phenobarbital.

Seizures can be dangerous both for mother and fetus. So it is especially important to take remedies precisely according to a doctor’s prescription during pregnancy. on no account reduce dose or quit taking medicine yourself, without a doctor!

Migraine
About 15-20% of all pregnant women suffer from migraine. many women notice improvement of health during pregnancy. if you are going to take pills against headache during pregnancy, check with your doctor how much they are safe for you and future baby.

Cancerous growths
A question of probability of cancer’s influence on pregnancy depends on the fact which organ it stroke and how wide is growth. Breast cancer is most often form of cancer, met among women. if you had breast cancer, this will not influence pregnancy anyway, and pregnancy, in its turn, will not cause breast cancer.
Many doctors advice to wait 2-3 years with childbirth after breast cancer treatment. It is very important to discuss case history and method of treatment with your doctor yet before pregnancy. Situation may become quite complicated, if you are pregnant and pass treatment at the same time. many medicines and remedies against cancer are not safe for future mother and baby.

Other diseases
We examined only some chronic diseases. However, any disease can be dangerous for future baby. So if you suffer from some chronic disease or have to take medicines constantly, discuss it with your doctor.
General rule is following: it is better not to take medicines or pass any medical treatment at the moment of conception and on early stages of pregnancy. Laying of all organs and tissues of a baby takes place during 1st trimester of pregnancy, and during this period you need to protect a future baby from harmful influences of medicines or observations. You will feel better and calmer, if you solve all these problems before pregnancy.

Yana Mikheeva is the creator of Baby Health Directory – Pregnancy, Birth, Parenting and Baby Care resources. are you going to get pregnant? Visit our friendly resource and read information on pregnancy and parenting, painless childbirth, growth and development of a baby, baby health, safety, signs of pregnancy.
She also has All about women site where you can find articles on various subjects, such as: diets, receipts, health, cellulite, figure, aromatherapy, wholesome food, psychology of relationships, pregnancy, parenting, fashion and many others.

Tags: Chronic, Diseases, pregnancy

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 12:16 PM and is filed under Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Chronic diseases and pregnancy