For Patients/Families

Diabetes mellitus
An inability to regulate blood sugar levels due to insulin deficiency. There are two types of diabetes in pregnancy: 1) that which was present before conception and 2) that which develops during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). During pregnancy, women with pre-existing diabetes may experience an increase in their insulin requirements. Even some women with gestational diabeters may require insulin shots to manage their blood sugar.

Diabetes in pregnancy is categorized on the basis of severity, complications and duration prior to conception. Infants born to women with pre-existing diabetes are at increased risk for birth defects. It is essential that the blood sugar level be controlled at the time of conception and for the first months of pregnancy when the organs are forming. This is known to reduce the risk of birth defects.

Control of the blood sugar in later stages of pregnancy is important to prevent the baby from becoming excessively large and having problems in the newborn period with low blood sugar, a difficult delivery and elevated red blood cell count. Most diabetic women have successful pregnancies and healthy infants. However, they need to manage their, diet, insulin and blood sugar very carefully.