Focus on blood sugar management

Managing your blood sugar is key for avoiding diabetes complications. And, when you're preparing for pregnancy, blood sugar management becomes more important than ever.

Your health care provider will recommend that you reach a specific hemoglobin A1C level before pregnancy. A1C is a blood test that gives your doctor an idea of your blood sugar levels during the past two to three months. The American Diabetes Association generally recommends a pre-pregnancy A1C of 6.5%.

Your baby's brain, spinal cord, heart and other organs begin forming soon after conception, even before you know you're pregnant. If your blood sugar isn't well controlled during the earliest days of pregnancy, your risk of miscarriage and your baby's risk of birth defects — particularly those affecting the brain, spinal cord and heart — increase.

Your health care provider will help you establish your target blood sugar range. He or she will also evaluate your diabetes treatment plan and consider any changes that might improve it. The goal is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as safely possible.