Planning your pregnancy
Women with well controlled diabetes have the same ability to become pregnant as women without diabetes. There are important steps to take to reduce the risks for you and your baby. Review the Pre-pregnancy information brochure for steps to follow before you try getting pregnant.
Gestational Diabetes
If you have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes your family physician will be referring you to a clinic for high risk pregnancies at our Kingston General Hospital site. You will see an Obstetrician, Endocrinologist, Diabetes Nurse Educator, and Registered Dietitian at this appointment.
You can find information on Gestational Diabetes on the Diabetes Canada website here.
You will need to start monitoring your blood glucose levels with a blood glucose meter. This meter can be obtained from a pharmacy or your local Diabetes Education Centre. You can also get a free meter at the clinic appointment.
For some helpful facts and information about glucose monitoring, click here.
Keep a record of all your blood glucose levels.
Test your blood glucose levels before breakfast, and one hour after each meal (one hour after the first bite of food).
The target levels are under 5.3 mmol/L before breakfast, and under 7.8 mmol/L one hour after each meal.
If your blood glucose levels are higher than this you may be starting insulin at your appointment with the Endocrinologist and Diabetes Nurse Educator.
You will find information about insulin and how to begin taking insulin to manage blood sugar here.
It is important to eat properly while you are pregnant. You will see a Registered Dietitian at your appointment but until then you can read about healthy eating here.
You will be seen throughout your pregnancy at regular intervals.
After the baby is born
Both you and your baby are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in years to come. It is beneficial to make some changes in food, weight and lifestyle now. Once the baby is born please read the information about the importance and timing of post-partum testing for type 2 diabetes here.
