Patient's question:
Can diabetics have children? My husband got the disease in 2005. He takes 20 units of insulin every morning and evening. His fasting blood sugar is controlled at 6.9 and post-meal at 8.9.Doctor's answer:
Hello! Diabetic patients can maintain normal growth and development, retain normal learning and work abilities, enjoy the same lifespan as healthy individuals, and similarly get married and have children. However, from another perspective, diabetic patients are fundamentally different from healthy individuals. They have metabolic disorders and chronic diabetic complications. Moreover, diabetes and pregnancy mutually influence each other. If not properly managed, it may lead to severe consequences. Therefore, while marriage is not a problem for diabetic patients, if they wish to have children, they must adhere to several principles:First: It is advisable not to have too many children, as each pregnancy and childbirth imposes significant physical and mental burdens on diabetic women, along with certain risks.
Second: If a diabetic woman plans to have children, it is better to have them earlier rather than later. Regardless of the timing, as the duration of the disease progresses, various complications, especially kidney and eye complications, tend to worsen. Thus, the risks increase with delayed childbirth.
Third: Pregnancy should be planned when blood sugar control is at its best. Ideally, if pregnancy is intended, insulin should be used to actively manage blood sugar levels as soon as possible.
Finally: Throughout the entire pregnancy, close monitoring of the condition is essential, particularly in maintaining blood sugar and blood pressure at satisfactory levels to ensure the patient can deliver a healthy child smoothly.
Wishing you good health!