Diabetes control is important both before and after conception to ensure the health of the mother and the unborn child. There are different concerns for those who have diabetes prior to pregnancy and for those whose diabetes is diagnosed in the course of pregnancy. With appropriate medical care and obstetrical management, the outcome should be very favorable. Women who have diabetes before pregnancy should consult with their healthcare providers, including their doctor, about intensifying care prior to conception. This includes reviewing insulin based on frequent blood sugar monitoring.
Many women work outside the home in addition to caring for families.
All aspects of daily life need to be incorporated into a successful treatment plan. This blood test reflects average blood sugars over the previous few weeks. Generally this is checked once a month prior to conception to be sure it's in an optimum zone. This test can be explained in detail by the doctor or nurse. When diabetes is diagnosed in the course of pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes.