Risks Involved - Pregnancy And Diabetes: Diabetes
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Risks involved
Risks involved
While it's common for diabetic women to have relatively trouble-free pregnancies, some risks still exist for both mother and child. In general, the more diabetic complications you've had before pregnancy, the more likely they'll worsen significantly during pregnancy. Women with severe kidney and eye complications, for instance, can expect that these conditions will be aggravated by a pregnancy. The damage often reverses after delivery, but women with these conditions should discuss potential dangers with their doctors before conceiving.
Consistently high blood glucose levels increase the chances of miscarrying or going into premature labor. They may also cause the baby's organs to form abnormally. Historically, diabetes has been associated with a threefold increase in severe malformations. Some examples include neural tube defects (incomplete development of the brain or spinal cord), anencephaly (absence of the brain or spinal cord), and spina bifida (failure of the backbone to fuse over the spinal cord).
Women with diabetes are also more likely to have large babies, with birth weights of 9–12 pounds. This condition can cause a difficult delivery. Doctors will often induce labor a few weeks early or perform a cesarean section if the fetus seems to be too large.
Other problems can also result. The baby may have immature lungs (respiratory distress syndrome) or low blood levels of calcium and glucose at birth.
FAST FACT: Proper care before pregnancyGetting proper care for your diabetes before you become pregnant is an important step toward having a healthy baby. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the rate of major congenital malformations in babies born to women who already had diabetes before conceiving is 5% or less when the mothers received preconception care. But for diabetic women who don't receive preconception care, the rate jumps to 10%. |
| Last updated: | January 23, 2007 |
|---|
Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, Use of Content Agreement and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.
Search
Related Articles
- Ask an Expert: Relationship Between Diabetes and Seizures
- Heart Beat: Diabetes and depression, a circular connection
- Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living With the Disease
- By the way, doctor: Should I worry about my diabetes leading to Alzheimer's?
- Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed
See all related articles
Where Does it Hurt?
If you're experiencing aches and pains we can help you find answers. Find out what your symptoms mean for your health.
