icon-nav-help
Need Help

Submit your question to our team of health care professionals.

icon-nav-current-questions
Current Question

See what's on the mind of the community right now.

icon-conf-speakers-at-a-glance
Meet the Team

Learn more about our world-renowned team.

icon-nav-archives
CWD Answers Archives

Review the entire archive according to the date it was posted.

CWD_Answers_Icon
January 8, 2002

Family Planning

advertisement
Question from Dallas, Georgia, USA:

I have type 1 diabetes. Does having diabetes having any effects on pregnancy? Does it cause any complication other than watching what you eat?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

Type�1 diabetes definitely can affect the pregnancy. This has been addressed extensively in this web site so you should peruse previous questions.

In a nutshell, there is an increased risk of fetal abnormalities as well as maternal complications. For the best outcome, you should be in good control prior to conceiving and maintain good control during the pregnancy. If you are not already pregnant, ask your physician for a prescription for folic acid. This will reduce the risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida) in the baby.

OWJ

[Editor’s comment: See Planning a pregnancy , at the Diabetes Monitor, for some additional thoughts.

WWQ]