Pregnancy already has its share of complications related to health but things get troublesome when the expecting woman suffers from a major illness. One of such illness that can have an adverse effect on your pregnancy is diabetes.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease wherein a person has high amount of blood glucose or blood sugar in the body. This happens because there is inadequate amount of insulin produced in the body or because the body's cells fail to respond properly to insulin, or both. If the blood sugar level increases, it can affect the kidney, heart, eyes and other body organs. Precaution and a healthy lifestyle is the only way of keeping diabetes under control. And if a diabetic woman gets pregnant, she certainly will have to undergo quite a few problems. Here let us understand what all happens when you get pregnant while suffering from diabetes    

Understanding the Diabetes Types

• Type I Diabetes :It's the stage wherein the pancreas either fail to produce insulin or produce very little amount. Type I Diabetes can be controlled by taking insulin shots on an everyday basis, along with healthy diet, and exercise.
   
• Type II Diabetes :It's the stage wherein the body either makes too little of insulin or cannot use the insulin produced to the complete use. Type II Diabetes can be controlled by eating a strict diet and exercising regularly. People with Type II diabetes must take diabetes pills regularly in order to maintain the right insulin levels.
   
• Gestational Diabetes :It's the type seen in pregnant women. This type of diabetes can often be controlled through insulin shots or by regular intake of diabetes pills. In some cases eating a proper diet and exercising regularly also does wonders. It is stated that gestational diabetes disappears after pregnancy, but in some cases it does not. A lot of women who have had gestational diabetes will later on develop Type II Diabetes. But, if a woman eats healthy food and follows a proper diet, along with regular exercise and monitors her weight, she might eliminate her chances of suffering from Type II Diabetes.

If you have Type I Diabetes or the Type II Diabetes, and are even expecting a child then you will have to be extra cautious about your health. There are complications linked with this type of pregnancy and you will need proper medical assistance to deal with those complications to have a healthy baby. Here is what you must do:

Plan the pregnancy: The first major step to consider if you want to get pregnant but have diabetes is to plan it. Plan it out with your spouse, talk with your family and close friends and consult your doctor. Planning a Pregnancy  with diabetes is wise and necessary. 

Consult your doctor : Meet your family doctor or gynecologist before getting pregnant. Your doctor can help you determine if your diabetes is controlled well enough for you to stop your birth control method or not.

Urine test: Have your urine checked for kidney complications.

Check your cholesterol: Check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Eye test: Have an eye exam to screen for glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy.

Counseling will help: Undergo pre-conception counseling.

Other Important Things to Consider

Evaluate your weight: If you are diabetic then it's vital that you keep a watch on your weight. Consult the gynecologist to know what should be your ideal weight at time of pregnancy and stick to it.
 

Put aside the unhealthy lifestyle: Unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking and gorging on junk food must be kept at bay. 

Take prenatal vitamins: If you are pregnant and have diabetes, it would be good if you can seek some expert advice before taking prenatal vitamins. 

Blood sugar screening: Too much sugar in the blood can result into birth defects later on. You must undergo regular blood sugar screening and monitor it closely for any increase in the blood sugar level so as to take proper actions at the right time.

Be particular with diabetes medication: It is important that your diabetes is continually treated during pregnancy. However, you must make sure that the diabetes medicines don't affect your pregnancy.

Plan your meals: Pregnant women with diabetes should plan their eating habits or diet during pregnancy.