Pregnancy And Diabetes, Epilepsy And Asthma.

I have diabetes. How can it affect my pregnancy?
Diabetes was once a serious medical problem during pregnancy. It continues to be an important complication of pregnancy, but today many diabetic women can have safe pregnancies with proper medical care and a good diet if they follow their doctor's instructions. Using a glucometer to measure blood sugar is essential for diabetes control during pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?
The symptoms of diabetes include the following:

an increase in urination
blurred vision
weight loss
dizziness
increased hunger

Why is diabetes serious in pregnancy?
Diabetes can cause medical problems that could be serious for you and your baby. If your diabetes is not treated, you expose your baby to a high concentration of sugar, a condition called hyper-glycemia, which is not healthy for the baby.
Uncontrolled diabetes puts you at significantly increased risk of miscarriage and problems at the time of birth. The most common fetal problems are heart, genitourinary and gastrointestinal problems. Diabetes can also cause large babies.

How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed with blood tests: a fasting blood-sugar or a glucose-tolerance test. This test is usually done around 28 weeks of pregnancy.

If there is sugar in my urine, does it mean I have diabetes?
Not necessarily. It is common for nondiabetic pregnant women to have a small amount of sugar in their urine, called glucosuria. This occurs because of changes in your sugar levels and changes in the way your kidneys handle sugar during pregnancy.

Epilepsy
I have epilepsy, and I just found out I'm pregnant. I'm very excited about the pregnancy, but I'm concerned about the medicine I take. What should I do?
Tell your doctor immediately that you are pregnant and have epilepsy. Most medications to control seizures are safe during pregnancy. However, some medications are safer than others.

What medications are OK to use?
During pregnancy, phenobarbital is often used to control seizures, but its safety is now being questioned. Dilantin is not recommended because it can cause birth defects. Discuss this important issue with your doctor as soon as possible.

Asthma
I suffer from asthma. Can I have a safe pregnancy?
Most women with asthma can have a safe pregnancy. If you have severe asthma attacks before pregnancy, you may have them during pregnancy. Usually you can use the medications you used before pregnancy. Discuss medication use with your doctor.

Besides taking my medicine, is there anything else I can do for my asthma during pregnancy?
Many women feel better and have fewer problems with their asthma if they increase their fluid intake during pregnancy. Try it you should increase your fluid intake during pregnancy anyway.