If you have diabetes, you can lead a healthy, active life. You can also have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby if you get your blood sugar under control before you become pregnant.

Your health is at risk if you have diabetes and get pregnant unless you carefully manage your blood sugar levels. Also, there is a much higher chance that your baby will have a major birth defect or other serious health problems if your sugar levels are too high.

Diabetes is very common. Many women have it and don't know it. Although there are often no early symptoms, watch for these signs:

• Increased thirst and hunger
• Frequent urination
• Feeling weak, tired and irritable
• Feeling sick to your stomach, vomiting
• Having cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal
• Frequent infections of the skin, gums, vagina or bladder
• Blurry vision
• Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet

Your chances of having diabetes are higher if:

• You are overweight
• You don't exercise regularly
• You are related to someone with diabetes
• You are African-American, Latina, Native-American, Asian American or Asian-Indian
• You had problems with sugar levels in pregnancy

If you have diabetes, work closely with your doctor and a dietitian or certified diabetes educator. Develop a plan to balance eating, which raises blood sugar levels, with exercise, which lowers blood sugar levels. Maintain a healthy weight. Take medicine if your doctor prescribes it.

To learm more about Diabetes, please visit our Health Information section.

Keep in mind....

If you have diabetes and you could become pregnant:

• Talk with your doctor or other health care professional about the best birth control. It's important not to get pregnant until your blood sugar is under control

If you have diabetes and you want to get pregnant:

• Visit your doctor for a pre-pregnancy check-up at least three months before you hope to get pregnant. You may have special needs early in and throughout pregnancy.
• Switch from pills to insulin to control your blood sugar before your pregancy. The pills may increase the risk of birth defects.
• See your doctor before you become pregnant again if you had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant before.
• Ask your health care provider if the California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program is right for you. It's a specialized service offered at more than 350 sites. Call the California Department of Health Services at (916)657-1498 to find a site near you. Or go to www.llu.edu/llumc/sweetsuccess online.