Diabetes and pregnancy

The possibility of a normal outcome of pregnancy for both mother and fetus exists in most instances of diabetes in pregnancy. A significant effort on the part of both the patient and the health care team is required to accomplish this goal. Preconceptional counseling is an essential component of planning the time of conception, establishing normal glucose control, and evaluating the patient as indicated for the presence of vascular complications of diabetes prior to conception. The maintenance of euglycemia and careful fetal surveillance is critical to ensure fetal welfare. The detection and management of previously unrecognized glucose intolerance are important components of the prenatal care of all patients.