Diabetes & Pregnancy Clinic

Diabetes & pregnancy clinic provides intensive diabetes control for all diabetic mothers. Planning before pregnancy is highly advisable. Priority is provided for an immediate consultation to interfere as early as possible for a better outcome.

Babies born to a diabetic mother, especially women with poor diabetes control, are at high risk for birth defects. A1c result above 7% represents a threat for a healthy outcome. Toxic blood glucose levels and ketone bodies cross the placenta to the baby and increase the chance of birth defects.

High blood glucose levels during the first trimester — the time when the baby’s organs are forming — increase the risk of birth defects and the chance of miscarriage. Since the baby’s organs are completely formed by 7 weeks after your last period, when you may have just realized you are pregnant, it’s important to get blood glucose levels under control BEFORE getting pregnant (ADA guidelines 2017)

Planning for pregnancy is a MUST, this should be done 3 – 6 months before getting pregnant, and to target an A1c test below 7% is advisable to avoid many complications:

• Premature delivery
• Miscarriage
• Birth defects
• Macrosomia (having a large baby)
• Low blood glucose at birth (hypoglycemia)
• Prolonged jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• Respiratory distress syndrome (difficulty breathing)

– See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/pregnancy/before-pregnancy.html#sthash.DQbBjY6h.dpuf (ADA guidelines 2017)