Dear Doc,
I’m early pregnant now and I am diabetic. Is there any tests which can be done to show if my baby will be diabetic too? Will I pass on my condition to my baby? – Ms K Dear Ms. K,
I appreciate your concern for your baby, but currently there are no tests that I am aware of. However, be aware that having a gene for diabetes does not mean one will acquire the illness; I am speaking with regards to type 2 diabetes.
If you think of the gene as a light switch and the disease as turning on the switch, then the light will only come on if the switch is activated. There are healthy lifestyle habits that we can do to reduce the chance of this switch turning on. These include reducing sugar intake and exercising. Studies have shown that individuals who maintain daily exercise reduce the onset of diabetes by ten years.
Type 2 diabetes has even been shown to be reversible in some cases by making strong diet changes and choices.
Avoiding white flour, processed foods, and excess sugar consumption such as drinks with sugar whether soda or juice.
Studies have shown that what you eat during pregnancy has a significant impact on the unborn child.They have even shown a link between the mother’s diet and the unborn child’s genes. Therefore, you can have a positive impact on your baby by eating a healthy diet, especially during pregnancy. Ensure you have 5-7 portions of fruits and vegetables a day, along with an adequate intake of water.
