As with any health related issue, always consult your personal physician first and foremost, but below are my experiences top 5 tips in having a healthy pregnancy as a diabetic.

Tip # 1 Plan (if possible)

I've had both planned and unplanned with my four children. Planned is better if you can. With the unique demands diabetes places on your body, it is great to have time to prepare your body to be supporting another human being to be as healthy as possible.

Tip # 2 Consulting your doctor

Your doctor can help determine what the current affects diabetes is having on your system and help you plan ahead for your pregnancy as well which may include a change of medicine. Of course the doctor will always warn you of the standard don't smoke, avoid alcohol, eat right and exercise, but we can all use a reminder (especially while your pregnant). The doctor can then monitor the changes that take place in your body as a current starting point has been established.

Tip # 3 Tri-Success-Habits

I call this rigging the game in your favor. A three prong approach of meal planning, exercise and taking medications on time.

By taking the time to plan out your meals (and shopping), you have a huge jump start on controlling your blood sugar and believe it or not save a tremendous amount of time! You can consult a dietician or find several books on this subject. This way everything that was in the house was OK for me to eat.

Exercise was the hard one, but with a child growing inside of me, I found the discipline. The method I used was to exercise BEFORE I began my day by walking (Once I start the day forget it - exercise would not cross my mind). This way, no matter what, I had some type of activity that kept blood sugar under control as exercise balances food intake.

I created a constant reminder system for myself to take medications On Time since it is critical to be steady as humanly possible.

Tip # 4 Monitor More Often - Treat More Quickly

Pregnancy places different demands on your body's need for energy and can make your blood sugar levels change very rapidly. Since this is happening, you need to check blood sugar more often. I was at 8 times a day. If levels are low, you need to treat them very quickly having a ready source of carbohydrates always available. Your family may be familiar on how to help with these situations, but in being pregnant I found it comforting for those at my work place to know how to help as well.

Tip # 5 Acupressure

This was a lifesaver that I did not discover until my fourth pregnancy. I was always in search of non-medicine ways to have an easier birth with my children and discovered the power of acupressure. It helped me relieve pain related to my pregnancy and even induce labor. I wish I had found this before child number 1!

These 5 tips tremendously aided me through my pregnancies and helped me bring into the world 4 beautiful Healthy children.

Wishing You and Your Baby a Blessed Day.