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Preconception care of women with diabetes: the unrevealed obstacles
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-6460, USA. eholing@u.washington.edu
In spite of the widely accepted knowledge that elevated blood glucose levels in early pregnancy are associated with a significantly increased risk of birth defects in infants of women with established diabetes, the majority of diabetic women do not plan their pregnancies and enter pregnancy with inadequate blood glucose control. This article reviews the current research on circumstances and factors associated with unplanned diabetic pregnancies and offers recommendations to encourage effective pregnancy planning and preconception care among women with diabetes.
In spite of the widely accepted knowledge that elevated blood glucose levels in early pregnancy are associated with a significantly increased risk of birth defects in infants of women with established diabetes, the majority of diabetic women do not plan their pregnancies and enter pregnancy with inadequate blood glucose control. This article reviews the current research on circumstances and factors associated with unplanned diabetic pregnancies and offers recommendations to encourage effective pregnancy planning and preconception care among women with diabetes.