Diabetes and Pregnancy Program
513-558-0738
> Objectives for Patients and Family Members
> Diabetes and Pregnancy Services
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The Obstetrics and Gynecology Diabetes and Pregnancy program at University Hospital's Center for Women's Health is a multidisciplinary, family-centered inpatient and outpatient program. We provide care for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and assist patients with pre-existing diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) who require more intensive management. Our team of physicians, nurses, dietitians and social workers also assist pregnant women diagnosed with diabetes learn how to effectively manage their condition.
The Diabetes and Pregnancy program provides comprehensive prenatal care and pre-pregnancy counseling. In addition, the program helps patients and family members better understand how to maintain optimal health.
Objectives for patients and family members participating
in the Diabetes and Pregnancy Program
Controlling blood sugar values at home- Healthy meals and snacks, counting carbohydrates, reading food labels and portion control
- When and how often to check blood sugar levels as well as when its time to call for assistance from a member of your healthcare team
- How to exercise safely and manage stress
- Diabetes medication
- Signs and symptoms to report to the healthcare team
- Eliminating an addiction to tobacco products
We routinely refer patients to an advanced practice nurse and registered dietician who can provide additional in-depth diabetes and pregnancy education, nutritional counseling and ongoing support. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that pregnant women with diabetes maintain a healthy pregnancy that results in the delivery of a healthy infant.
Diabetes can control your life, or you can control your diabetes. Make the choice to become the most important member of the healthcare team. You can control your diabetes and lower risks to yourself and your unborn child. Let us help you prevent many maternal and newborn risks and complications.
Diabetes and Pregnancy Services
Pre-conception counseling
Members of our healthcare team are available to counsel women who have diabetes and wish to conceive. We can provide the tools and the know-how to ensure a healthy pregnancy and successful delivery.
Diabetes Counseling and Self-Management
Patients are monitored throughout the postpartum period or until the patient is ready to resume care for their diabetes with their endocrinologist or family doctor.
Nutritional Counseling
Our registered dieticians understand the special needs of pregnant women with diabetes and are available to provide medical nutritional therapy. They routinely help patients achieve healthy blood sugar control through daily meal planning, carbohydrate counting, portion control, and a wide variety of other educational techniques. Our dieticians are also able to counsel women about safe and effective exercise regiments.
Maternal Fetal Surveillance
The maternal/fetal medicine surveillance service includes:
- Genetic counseling
- Ultrasonography to assess fetal growth and development
- Fetal birth defect detection
- Fetal echocardiography
- Antenatal testing
- Non-stress testing
- Amniotic fluid index
- Biophysical profile testing
Ongoing Clinical Support
Ongoing clinical support is offered by an advanced practice registered nurse, registered dietitian and physicians experienced with diabetes and pregnancy self-management. Our multidisciplinary healthcare team is available to talk to you when you have questions or concerns about your healthcare.
Insulin Pump Management
Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) via an insulin pump is a popular method for diabetes management during pregnancy and beyond. Insulin pump users committed to diabetes self-management can achieve and maintain healthy blood sugar control - a necessity for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
The pump continuously infuses rapid-acting insulin through a small plastic catheter. CSII is a safe and effective way for pregnant women with diabetes to manage blood sugars. Our healthcare team is highly skilled in assisting our patients achieve healthy blood sugar control with the use of an insulin pump.
Personal Continuous Glucose Monitoring
A personal continuous glucose monitor (CGM) measures blood glucose levels 24 hours a day. CGMs often help in identifying links between a patient's diet, exercise/insulin regimens and the effects that it has on the patient's blood glucose levels. If your blood glucose levels are up and down, this technology may be able to help prevent those variations and thus protect you and your baby’s health. Our healthcare team is highly skilled in assisting our patients to achieve healthy blood sugar control.
Professional Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
The professional continuous glucose monitor (CGM) tracks blood glucose trends in patients for an extended period of time. The CGM records interstitial glucose levels every 5 minutes throughout the day (up to 288 readings in a 24-hour period). The data collected from the CGM is then downloaded to reveal blood glucose trends. Use of this device helps us to identify patient problem areas such as hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Further, by better understanding the cause of blood glucose level variations, treatment regimens that will ensure optimal health for mother and baby can be devised.
Make an Appointment
For more information about the Obstetrics and Gynecology Diabetes and Pregnancy Program at University Hospital's Center for Women's Health, please call 513-558-0738 to schedule an appointment. Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
