Diabetes in Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes can affect both the mother and her fetus. Intensive diabetic management can decrease the risks associated with diabetic pregnancy. Pregnancy is a period of time in which obstetricians and nurses have the opportunity to lay the groundwork for proper education and outreach to women at risk for long-term health complications. They can encourage lifestyle-modifying behaviors, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and scheduling regular check-ups, in an effort to prevent long-term complications in women with pre-existing diabetes and decrease the risk of women with gestational diabetes developing Type 2 diabetes.    

The Diabetes in Pregnancy program at The Ohio State University, one of the five largest programs in the United States, is an established team of maternal fetal medicine specialists, diabetic nurse educators, dieticians and inpatient nursing staff that provides ongoing prenatal and consultative care to the outlying community for both pre-existing and gestational diabetic pregnancies. Comprehensive care includes diet and nutrition classes, outpatient office visits with ultrasound assessment of the fetus and weekly reviews of blood glucose throughout pregnancy. 

We also provide a dedicated inpatient hospital service through The Women and Infants Department, for women who must start insulin therapy, including insulin pump therapy, regulation of sugar levels and intensive diabetic education. Approximately 200 women receive ongoing intensive diabetic management through our program every month. About half of these women have pre-existing diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2). An average of 50 new patients are enrolled each month. We also serve the community by providing prepregnancy consultation in an effort to educate women about the importance of optimal glycemic (sugar) control and the risks of the diabetic pregnancy prior to conception.