Preconception care of women with diabetes: The unrevealed obstacles

Abstract

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.

Key Words:

• diabetes mellitus
• pregnancy
• pregnancy planning
• preconception care
• congenital malformations