Pregnancy - FAQ

I have diabetes, can I still have a baby?

Yes, absolutely. Pregnancy involves risks for all women - even those who never get ill. While your chances of having problems are higher than for women who don't have diabetes, studies have proven that the risks can be reduced by keeping your blood glucose level in good control.

The risks of pregnancy will always be there, but knowing the facts will help you to reduce your risk and help you take action if you do run into problems. If you are thinking of having a baby it is vital that you ask your diabetes care team for preconception advice.

Do I need to tell my doctor that I am planning on starting a family?

Prior to planning a pregnancy, any person with diabetes should have a medical review. This will include reviewing current medication, replacing oral hypoglyceamic agents with alternative option, checking for the presence of complications and general health. Most women with Type 2 diabetes switch to insulin injections to control their blood glucose. Usually, women can return to tablets after pregnancy. Doctors now recommend that all women planning a pregnancy take the vitamin folic acid before conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This vitamin helps prevent spinal cord problems from developing in your baby. Discuss the planning of your pregnancy with your diabetes care team.

My boyfriend is recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Do we need to take any special care to conceive?

Your boyfriend having diabetes does not effect your reproductive system. The natural guidelines for any pregnancy do apply, have good health, take folate acid and a healthy diet.

The risk of the baby having type 1 diabetes is low. Babies are not born with diabetes but may develop it. In order to get diabetes, the baby would have to have a hereditary factor, be exposed to certain environmental factors and finally come in contact with a trigger factor. Therefore, your child will only have the heredity disposition which is quiet low (3%).

Does diabetes affect your fertility?

Diabetes does not affect your fertility; however, some of the complications of diabetes can result in erectile dysfunction. If you are of the male gender, and this applies to you, speak to your medical team. If you are female, it is important that you achieve excellent control before a pregnancy, therefore talk to your medical team.

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APP/KOL/AC 22/02/07