Managing Preexisting Diabetes During Pregnancy
Whether you are trying to conceive or already pregnant, treating diabetes during pregnancy is key to the health of both you and your baby.
Take time to build your health care team and devise a care plan to manage your blood glucose levels. Frequent contact with your health care provider is essential in managing blood glucose levels and monitoring the health of you and your baby.
Talk to your health care provider, or dietitian, to develop a healthy meal plan. Prioritising proper nutrition will assist in controlling your blood sugar both before and after conception.
Tell your doctor about any current medications you are taking for diabetes, or any other health conditions so you can take what is safest during your pregnancy. Make appointments with the appropriate high-risk specialists. Specialists may include a Perinatologist who treats women with high-risk pregnancies, and an endocrinologist who treats women with diabetes and other health conditions.
Stay physically active. You will want to be in the best physical condition during your pregnancy.
What are hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and how can they affect pregnancy?
Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are both common in women with preexisting diabetes. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels are too low. When blood glucose levels are low, your body cannot get the energy it needs.
You may be experiencing this if you are; Experiencing blurred vision, having unexplained fatigue or concerned about sudden changes in your mood
Typically hypoglycemia is treated by eating or drinking something containing sugar, such as orange juice. Hyperglycemia is when your body doesn’t have enough insulin or can’t use insulin correctly.
You may be experiencing this if you are; Always thirsty, suddenly losing weight or using the bathroom often.
Hyperglycemia can be triggered by; Improper balance in your food consumption, problems with the amount of insulin you are taking, stress, sickness and lack of physical movement.
Typically hyperglycemia is treated by adjusting your insulin dosages.
Research shows that diabetes can lead to reduced sperm quality but diabetes as such does not appear to affect motility of sperm (the ability of the sperm to move towards the egg) or cause infertility as a result.
Whilst diabetes needn’t present fertility problems, there are some conditions related to male infertility which are more likely, particularly in diabetes that has either not been well controlled or has been present for many years.
What are these conditions are as well as the treatment options that are available?
A number of issues can cause infertility in men.
These include: Erectile dysfunction; Retarded ejaculation (delayed ejaculation); Retrograde ejaculation; Reduced sperm quality and Hypogonadism (low testosterone)
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem associated with diabetes that causes difficulty with getting or maintaining an erection. It is caused by neuropathy (nerve damage) and reduced blood circulation typically as a result of less well controlled diabetes or long standing diabetes.
High levels of blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol are all associated with an increased risk of erectile difficulties. Getting these under control, as well as cutting down on alcohol and quitting smoking can help to reduce the effects of ED. A number of different treatment options are also available.