A Sweeter Choice

Prenatal care is important for all pregnant women, but especially so for women with diabetes because they are at increased risk for complications during pregnancy.

Diabetic women tend to give birth to larger babies and therefore are more likely to need a caesarean section. There also is an increased chance that your baby will be born with low blood sugar levels and may require treatment in the intensive care unit following delivery.

You can prevent many of the complications associated with diabetes simply by controlling your blood sugar levels during pregnancy, either by modifying your diet and exercise regimen or, in some cases, by taking insulin.

Diabetes is a condition that impairs the body’s ability to use sugar and as a result, increases your risk for health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease and atherosclerosis.

There are two types of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy:

Pregestational diabetes is when a woman with diabetes becomes pregnant. If you are diabetic and planning on becoming pregnant or are already pregnant, you should notify your physician immediately. As a diabetic, you should be under a doctor’s care and should regularly monitor your blood sugar levels.

Often referred to as type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes is when a woman becomes diabetic as a result of pregnancy. It occurs in approximately 3 percent of all pregnant women and can affect the health of mom and baby.

Services We Provide

To help expectant mothers minimize the risks associated with diabetes, Kapiolani offers A Sweeter Choice, a fully integrated, comprehensive program for high-risk pregnant women.

We will work closely with your doctor to help ensure that you receive optimum care throughout your pregnancy. A nurse who specializes in treating diabetes is available to answer your questions.

Throughout your pregnancy, we will contact you frequently to monitor your diet and your blood sugar levels. Additional services such as social services, genetic consultations and lab tests may also be necessary to maximize your care. If these evaluations are required, they will be provided at an additional cost to you.