Tamil - Australian Diabetes Council

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Diabetes and Pregnancy
The key to a healthy pregnancy for a woman with diabetes is
planning, Before you become pregnant discuss your target blood
glucose levels or other pregnancy issues with your doctor or
diabetes educator.
Note: the target blood glucose levels are tighter during pregnancy.
You will need a diabetes management plan that balances meals,
physical activity and diabetes medication (usually insulin).
This plan will change as your body changes during your pregnancy.
If your pregnancy is unplanned it is important to work with your
medical team as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Why you need to keep your blood glucose levels within the
recommended range for pregnancy
Having good blood glucose management reduces the risk of the baby having any
abnormalities when all of its organs are being formed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. As
your pregnancy progresses, it is very important that you maintain good blood glucose levels
otherwise extra sugar in your blood will pass to the baby who can then become big. Delivery
of big babies can cause problems.
Who will help you before, during and after your pregnancy
Apart from your diabetes health care team, other health professionals that will support you
are:
• an obstetrician (a specialist doctor that looks after pregnant women)
• a neonatal paediatrician (a specialist doctor that looks after babies)
• a midwife (a nurse, who assists women in childbirth).
Exercise, especially for people with type 2 diabetes, is a key part of diabetes management
before, during and after pregnancy.
Discuss your exercise plans with your diabetes health care team.
In general, it’s not a good idea to start a new strenuous exercise program during pregnancy.
Good exercise choices for pregnant women include walking, low-impact aerobics or
swimming.
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