Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-existing Diabetes : Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby

Diabetes can affect women at any stage of life. If not managed properly, expectant mothers with pre-existing diabetes are more likely to encounter complications such as preeclampsia, cesarean section, and infections. Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby, is a down-to-earth guide for diabetic mothers-to-be. Author Cheryl Alkon has lived with type 1 diabetes for 31 years and brings a wealth of understanding to the subject. Unlike existing books written in dry scientific language, this one focuses on firsthand accounts by diabetic women sharing their pregnancy-related experiences. Topics include what is diabetes, finding the right doctor, strategies to successfully conceive, the first, second, and third trimesters, labor and delivery, balancing the woman's health needs with those of her child, infertility and pregnancy loss, resources, and more. Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes offers a complete guide for diabetic women who want to successfully plan their pregnancies. A down-to-earth insiderís guide to a healthy pregnancy with diabetes Thinking about having a baby but worried about your type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Thereís a reason for concern: uncontrolled diabetes can lead to health complications for both women and their children. But keeping a tight rein on your blood sugarsóbefore and during pregnancyócan help reduce if not eliminate the risks. Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes explains exactly how to have the healthiest pregnancy possible while balancing the rigors of insulin, diet, exercise, and blood sugar control that are the foundation of diabetes management. Author Cheryl Alkon has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 30 years, and brings a wealth of understanding to the subject. Including the insights of more than 50 women with diabetes and leading medical experts, as well as the latest scientific research, Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes covers: Finding the right doctor Pre-pregnancy planning The first, second, and third trimesters Labor and delivery Managing your health needs with those of your child Infertility and pregnancy loss With this myth-busting resource, youíll be armed with the essential information, hope, and inspiration you need for a healthy pregnancy. A down-to-earth insiders guide to a healthy pregnancy with diabetes Thinking about having a baby but worried about your type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Theres a reason for uncontrolled diabetes can lead to health complications for both women and their children. But keeping a tight rein on your blood sugarsbefore and during pregnancycan help reduce if not eliminate the risks. Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes explains exactly how to have the healthiest pregnancy possible while balancing the rigors of insulin, diet, exercise, and blood sugar control that are the foundation of diabetes management. Author Cheryl Alkon has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 30 years, and brings a wealth of understanding to the subject. Including the insights of more than 50 women with diabetes and leading medical experts, as well as the latest scientific research, Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes With this myth-busting resource, youll be armed with the essential information, hope, and inspiration you need for a healthy pregnancy. " Contents......Page 8 Foreword......Page 10 You Can Definitely Do This—And Do It Well......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 14 The Early Days......Page 18 1 Recommendations for Trying to Conceive: If You Can, You’ve Gotta Plan......Page 20 The First Trimester: Grace Under Pressure......Page 40 2 I See Two Lines, Now What?......Page 42 3 What Do I Eat?......Page 58 4 Tests and Bloods and Rockin’ Goals: Pregnancy Assessments and Prenatal Exams......Page 82 The Second and Third Trimesters: Things Keep Growing and Growing......Page 108 5 In the Thick of It......Page 110 6 Approaching the Big Day......Page 136 Hello, Mama!......Page 162 7 The Big Day......Page 164 8 The New Mom, With Diabetes......Page 184 When Blood Sugar Control Isn’t Enough......Page 214 Appendix: Infertility and Pregnancy Loss......Page 216 C......Page 242 F......Page 243 I......Page 244 P......Page 245 V......Page 246 Resources......Page 248 Notes......Page 258 B......Page 264 D......Page 265 F......Page 266 I......Page 267 N......Page 268 S......Page 269 Z......Page 270 A guide for diabetic mothers-to-be. It explains everything from what is diabetes to labor, delivery, and infertility. It includes medical facts, first person reports, and interviews from women living with diabetes who share their pregnancy related experiences.