If you plan to switch to intensive therapy using multiple daily injections or an insulin pump, it's best to do so at least three to six months before you become pregnant. Paying close attention to what you eat is important for both your blood glucose control and for the health of your baby, and this is the time to see your dietitian to review your current meal plan, weight, and calorie needs. Your dietitian will give you guidelines for healthy eating during pregnancy. In addition, he or she can help with your diabetes management by teaching you how to detect the effects of certain foods on your blood glucose levels, match your food with insulin, and space meals appropriately. Your dietitian can also provide tips for handling pregnancy challenges such as morning sickness and heartburn.
Nothing is further from the truth, especially when planning a pregnancy.
You need to be as careful about blood glucose control as a woman with type 1. But you may have different medication needs. If you're on diet therapy alone, you may need no insulin until later in your pregnancy. However, if you're on oral agents, you'll need to switch to insulin before becoming pregnant. Being overweight makes diabetes control more difficult, so your pre-pregnancy planning should include a visit with the dietitian to help you with weight control and to design a meal plan to fit you.