Consistently monitoring your blood sugar levels is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications to you and your baby. Before and after you become pregnant, your doctor will encourage you to test your blood sugar several times each day and adjust your insulin dose accordingly. Your doctor may even recommend that you check your blood sugar during the middle of the night. A healthy meal plan helps you maintain normal or near-normal blood sugar levels. You may need to work with a dietitian to modify your meal plan to address problems with pregnancy, including nausea and vomiting, constipation or food cravings.
Artificial sweeteners are a concern for mothers with diabetes.
The effects of saccharin on the fetus are unknown, so it's best to avoid products containing saccharin during pregnancy. Aspartame, made of aspartate and phenylalanine, doesn't seem to cause problems. But it's best to consume in moderation products containing aspartame. Years ago, women with diabetes were advised not to exercise during pregnancy because of concerns that exercise might affect the health of the baby. Today, doctors recommend all people exercise daily to improve their health, including women with diabetes who are pregnant.