Diabetes and Pregnancy

There's a lot to think about if you're a woman who is planning on getting pregnant.

Women who happen to have Type 1 diabetes need to keep some important health issues in mind.

Susan Gustavsson, RN, BSN, CDE, is a Diabetes Nurse Educator at The Center for Endocrinology at Mercy who works with patients who have Type 1 diabetes. With patients who are pregnant and looking for help to keep their diabetes in check during their pregnancy, it's an important job.

"Working with them to make sure their blood sugar is as well controlled as possible, help them with their meal plan, exercise and of course, the very important monitoring of their finger stick blood sugars," Gustavsson said.

According to Dr. Robert Atlas, OB/GYN, Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mercy, women with Type 1 diabetes need to get their blood sugar level in control before they get pregnant.

"One of the most important things for a Type 1 diabetic to understand is the importance of having their hemoglobin A1C under control prior to conception. We know that an elevated hemoglobin A1C is associated with an increased risk of poor pregnancy outcome," Dr. Atlas said.

Potential problems for the mother include preeclampsia and cardiac disease. Potential problems for the baby include premature birth, fetal abnormalities and neural tube defects.

For the best pregnancy outcome, he advises all women to be at a healthy weight before conception, and if you're heavy, "Losing five to 10 percent of body weight actually improves your outcome, whether you have diabetes or not."

To view the interviews regarding diabetes and pregnancy, with Dr. Robert Atlas, OB/GYN and Mercy nurse Susan Gustavsson, click here.