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Pregnancy and diabetes: Is your body ready?

Include physical activity in your daily routine

Physical activity is another important part of your diabetes treatment plan. During your preconception appointment, get your doctor's OK to exercise. Then choose activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming or biking. What's most important is making physical activity part of your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. Stretching and strength training exercises are important, too. If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and build up gradually.

Remember that physical activity affects blood sugar. Check your blood sugar level before and after any activity, especially if you take insulin. You might need to eat a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar.

Know what's off-limits

When you're planning your pregnancy, don't:

  • Skip doses of insulin
  • Smoke
  • Drink alcohol
  • Use illicit drugs

It's also important to keep stress under control. Too much stress may interfere with your blood sugar level and make it harder to take good care of yourself — and your baby.

Patience pays off

Preparing for pregnancy may take months and multiple visits to your health care provider. In fact, the American Diabetes Association recommends maintaining good blood sugar control for three to six months before attempting to conceive. Your health care provider may want you to reach a specific A1C level — a reflection of your blood sugar level for the past two to three months — before pregnancy.

Until your health care provider gives you the green light for pregnancy, remember to use birth control. A healthier pregnancy is worth the wait.

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References
  1. Diabetes and pregnancy frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/diabetespregnancyfaqs.htm. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
  2. Diabetes and pregnancy. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes/pregancy.jsp. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
  3. Before pregnancy. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/sex-and-pregnancy/before-pregnancy.jsp. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
  4. Managing preexisting diabetes during pregnancy. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_1064.asp. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
  5. Types of exercise. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/weightloss-and-exercise/exercise/types-of-exercise.jsp. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
  6. Getting started. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/weightloss-and-exercise/exercise/getting-started.jsp. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
  7. Tight diabetes control. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/tight-control.jsp. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
  8. American Diabetes Association. Preconception care of women with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:S76.
  9. Boinpally T, et al. Management of type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes in pregnancy. The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine. 2009;76:269.
  10. Stress. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/stress.jsp. Accessed Sept, 3, 2009.
  11. Correa A, et al. Diabetes mellitus and birth defects. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008;199:237.e1.

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Dec. 12, 2009

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