Diabetes or Other Endocrine Disorders

Diabetes is an increasing problem in the United States. There are different types of diabetes:

• Type I diabetes (previously known as juvenile diabetes although it can occur at any age) 
• Type II diabetes (previously known as adult-onset diabetes but it may occur in earlier years) 

Gestational diabetes (diabetes first diagnosed during pregnancy).

Regardless of the type of diabetes you may have, there are some guidelines that are useful for all diabetic mothers to be.

• Careful control of your blood sugar in the preconceptional time period (prior to pregnancy) and in the first trimester of your pregnancy can decrease the risk of complications in your pregnancy.
• Increased blood sugar at the time of conception increases the risk for congenital abnormalities (congenital heart disease, spina bifida). 
• Poor control of blood sugar throughout your pregnancy can cause large babies, cesarean delivery, birth injury, and stillbirth. 
• Women who have diabetes before pregnancy are also at risk for eye changes (retinopathy), kidney damage, heart disease, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia (pregnancy-associated high blood pressure).

The doctors at RPG will work with your obstetrician during your pregnancy to monitor for complications. Additional testing may be needed during the course of your pregnancy but will be individualized to your specific condition.

Blood sugar control

Blood sugar control is extremely important during pregnancy. The level of control necessary during pregnancy is often much tighter than you might be accustomed to when you are not pregnant. Some mothers’ blood sugar can be controlled with a diabetic diet and exercise alone. Others will need medication to control their blood sugar (oral medications or insulin injections). Doctors at RPG use a team approach to help manage your diabetes, which may include consultation with an endocrinologist (specialists in diabetes management) or nutritional specialists for your complete care.

The goal of the physicians at RPG is comprehensive care for you and your obstetrician to help ensure a healthy mom and newborn.

Another common endocrine problem is thyroid disease during pregnancy. Physicians at RPG will work with your obstetrician to prescribe safe and effictive medications for your particular thyroid disease. In some cases, you may need to see an endocrinologist (specialist in thyroid disorders).