5 Tips To Avoid Diabetes While Getting Pregnant, Experts Advise

First Posted: Nov 15, 2016 05:34 AM EST

A healthy pregnancy is a key role to have a healthy baby. Being healthy while pregnant can be beneficial to both mother and child. However, mothers can sometimes result in diabetes while being pregnant.

Here are some tips to make sure mothers will not have complications, according to Fox Health.

Consult a doctor before getting pregnant: If the mother already has diabetes and plans on getting pregnant, make sure to go to the doctor and check if the A1C levels are normal. For the mothers that have a Type 1 diabetes, check with the doctor about the kidney function test, a thyroid test and an eye exam. According to a clinical professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Dr. Lois Jovanovic, other conditions can worsen.

Lose some weight: Having a normal weight before having a baby is beneficial for both mother and child. Eating a plant-based diet, avoiding added sugars, processed food, preservatives and food that is high in saturated fats are advisable. Dr. Jennifer Lang, a board-certified OB-GYN in Los Angeles, said: "[Weight loss] can begin from the very day they discover they become pregnant."

More physical movements: The CDC suggests pregnant women must have 150 moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week. Exercise can help control blood glucose and metabolize food better.

Count the carbs intake: It is important for women who has a Type 1 diabetes. Plan the meals and know how many carbohydrates in each food. Limit if possible because too many carbs can shoot up the blood sugar.

Drink Wisely: It is very important to watch what mothers drink. Plenty of water is the key to staying hydrated during pregnancy. Avoid soda, juice, sweeteners in tea and coffee, and sports drink.

According to Hoholok.com, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Marina Chaparro, shared that, "Avoid these or substitute them with something that has no calories and no carbohydrates because that's going to be the first source of raising blood sugar."