Going through a pregnancy is such an amazing and exciting feat. However, it is not exactly the smoothest and easiest journey. Along with it comes a variety of symptoms and complications. One of them is gestational diabetes. Diabetes in itself is already very challenging. It is a condition that truly needs patience and discipline to overcome. What more now that it concerns both the mother and the child’s health.
One of the things that pregnant women with gestational diabetes may go through would be diabetic feet. This is when their feet get swollen, there’s poor blood circulation, losing a sense of feeling in their legs and feet, having wounds, sores, blisters that are unnoticed and undetected which could lead to infections and other serious matters.
Having to deal with other pregnancy symptoms along with diabetic feet will take a lot of willpower, extra attention, and effort.
Signs of Diabetic Feet In Pregnancy
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What pregnant women need to look out for would be symptoms of both gestational diabetes and symptoms of diabetic feet, such as:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Being Tired
- Peeing more than usual
- Having dry mouth
- Lost your ability to feel pain, heat, and cold
- Skin changes. Dry and easily cracked skin
- Calluses, warts, or corns
- Poor circulation or poor blood flow
- Sores or wounds called Foot ulcers. Mostly found on the ball of the foot or the bottom of the big toe
- Ingrown toenails
- Infections
How To Treat Diabetic Feet In Pregnancy
Mothers intuitions are the best indeed, however, what you would not want to do is to treat diabetic feet on your own. Whether you feel like its a minor issue, you will need to consult with your doctors and health professionals before anything else. Document and report it right away so that they can assess and investigate and provide the proper care instructions and treatment. Don’t risk making it worst for both your sake and the babies.
How to Prevent Diabetic Feet In Pregnancy
But of course, there are best practices that pregnant women can do to prevent such happenstance. Here are a few examples:
- Eat a healthy, low sugar diet
- Get proper exercise and/or physical activity
- Start your pregnancy at a healthy weight
- Don’t gain more weight than recommended
- Check your blood sugar
- Check your urine for ketones or chemicals that may indicate diabetes
- Check your feet every day. Have a schedule when you can check your feet daily for the following:
- cuts, sores, or red spots
- blisters
- ingrown toenails
- corns or calluses, which are spots of rough skin caused by too much rubbing or pressure on the same spot
- Clean your feet properly and keep them dry
- Protect your feet. You can do this by wearing the proper socks and shoes. There are socks made specifically for diabetic feet that would help pregnant women.
- Always promote proper blood circulation
Conclusion
Pregnancy and diabetes will require a lot of hard work to keep everyone involved to stay healthy and safe. But it is not impossible. Especially when you prepare for it and take all the necessary steps to be your best self, putting your best foot forward, no pun intended. Along with the help of your ob-gyns, your doctors, and health professionals, as well as the support of your loved ones, you and your baby will get through it all.
