Diabetic Preganacy

[Pebbles97ham]

I was just wandering if anyone out there has dealt with anyone that is a Diabetic and they are preganant or they are thinking of becoming preganant?

I was just wandering how much more difficult it is for a Diabetic? Is there anything that should be done now to help with the preganancy in the future? Just worried whether or not Diabetic can have a normal pregnancy?

I would apppreciate any comments?

Thanks!

[rdhdnrs]

If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, you need to be followed by a high-risk clinic. You will need to be closely followed for sugar control and weight gain. There is a higher incidence of c/sections in diabetes due to macrosomic infants. There are sometimes problems in healing associated with diabetes.

This is such a big subject, get some literature on it and read up.

Good luck.

[Jolie, BSN]

I agree with rdhdnrs that you will need top-notch medical care, but pregnancy can be safely managed in diabetic patients with the proper preparation, monitoring, and care.

My first suggestion would be to go see your current doctor (internist or endocrinologist) and discuss your plans with him. Get yourself in the best possible state of health and control before attempting to become pregnant. Then seek out the advice of a perinatologist, again, before you become pregnant.

You will have a higher risk of certain complications, even with excellent glucose control during pregnancy, so you need to know those risks and weigh them before deciding to become pregnant.

Good luck to you. :)

[kennedyj]

The largest risks to the infant are during the first trimester. You would want to monitor your sugars closely. This is when the major organs develop especially the heart. High glucose can increase the risk of fetal cardiac problems. Glucose tends to ne a little harder to control during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. At this point the major risk is Big babies (which is easily managed) and moreless an increased risk of delivery problems.

If you are preparing to become pregnant and are taking any oral diabetic medications (Orinase, Micronase, Glucotrol etc) you should move to insulin instead.

hope this adds to the info rd and Jolie has posted.

[babynurselsa, RN]

are you already diabetic or are worried about gestational diabetes?

If you are a type one diabetic then you need to get with your doc prior to conception and make sure that you are very well controlled. A diabetic that becomes pregnant is a high risk pregnancy and must be monitored closely. There are many potential problems and risks involved.

If you are referring to gestational diabetes then they will test you about midway through your pregnancy for this. Most of the time it can be diet controlled. Major problems are LGA babies and hypoglycemia in the newborn again that is if it is not well controlled.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have more specific questions.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

I know a woman who has had two babies and is on an insulin pump for her Type I Diabetes. I could ask her to drop you a line if you like.

Email me: [email protected]

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Check out:

diabetic mommy online magazine

Description: Online Magazine for all stages of the diabetic mommy: Preconception, pregnancy, lactation, mommy....

http://www.diabeticmommy.com/

UMHS - Diabetes and Pregnancy/Gestional Diabetes

... FDA - Information for Women Who are Pregnant - Understanding Gestional Diabetes.

Reviewed by: Anne Marie Piehl, RN, Ambulatory Care Nursing June, 2001. ...

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/womens/pg06.htm

Best of Luck to you!