Helping pregnant diabetic women
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If you have diabetes and are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, talk to your health care provider about your specific needs. For information about diabetes before, during or after pregnancy:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education
American Diabetes Association, http://www.americandiabetes.org
In the past, women with diabetes were typically told to avoid getting pregnant. In fact, before the availability of medicinal insulin, pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes was associated with a 90 percent mortality rate for infants and 30 percent for the moms.
Jennifer Wyckoff, M.D., Endocrinologist at the University of Michigan, says today, there are many different types of insulin options and better ways to control and monitor blood glucose levels. And although the health risks are still higher for pregnant women with diabetes, the outcomes are greatly improved.
During pregnancy, diabetic women need to monitor their blood sugar levels more frequently. As the fetus grows, hormones made by the placenta block the action of the mom’s insulin. Nutrition counseling may be needed to help a woman understand how to plan meals, exercise and continue to maintain tight control over glucose levels. A woman may also need more frequent medical check ups.
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