Possible complications for women with diabetes include:
- excessive amniotic fluid in late pregnancy
- higher incidence of a urinary infection or thrush
- inclination to pre-eclampsia and the possibility of affected blood vessels causing eye and kidney problems.
When diabetes is poorly controlled there is a risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or congenital abnormality and there is a chance that the baby may grow excessively because high sugar levels crossing the placenta stimulate his pancreas to produce excess insulin which promotes growth. This may, lead to difficult labour, perhaps needing forceps, and can indicate the need for a caesarean section if the baby is very large or ill; very occasionally induction of labour may be recommended. Postnatally most large babies thrive.
After birth the baby’s blood sugar levels will be monitored frequently, as low levels are dangerous. ln some cases a large baby may have respiratory problems similar to those that are often experienced by premature babies.