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Physicians Provide Advanced Care for
“I realized that if I was going to try to have a healthy baby, I needed the diabetes to be well controlled before I became pregnant,” says Mrs. Meidling. “It was all in my hands.” In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, a substance necessary for the human system to use sugar. When sugar accumulates, it can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves or the heart. In the same way that high blood sugar can cause complications for the mother, it can also cause birth defects for her baby. Careful Prenatal Planning “It is crucial for diabetics to control their blood glucose levels prior to conception and during early pregnancy to help prevent birth defects and lower the risk of miscarriage,” says Richard Miller, M.D., Associate Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. A Closely Watched Pregnancy “At first I was afraid something was going to be wrong with the baby, but the doctors kept a very close watch over my pregnancy,” she says. “I felt very secure and was impressed by the care I received.” Mrs. Meidling checked her blood sugar levels with a home blood sugar monitoring system performed seven to nine times each day. After many months of careful planning and diligent monitoring, Mrs. Meidling delivered a healthy 6 pound, 14 ounce baby boy named Matthew on February 1, 1997. With the help of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Mrs. Meidling and husband, Richard, continued to enlarge their family with the birth of 7 pound, 9 ounce Sean on July 6, 1999 and 7 pound, 10 ounce Justin born on November 25, 2001. “When we saw each of our perfect babies we were just so thankful,” Mrs. Meidling says. “I was in shock because I never thought I would be able to have children. The hard work and numerous doctor visits and tests had finally paid off. Maternal-Fetal Medicine helped me to deliver three healthy babies. The entire staff was wonderful and I would recommend them to anyone.” Maternal-Fetal Medicine Care beginning in the months prior to pregnancy or during the pregnancy can include advanced diagnostics (including ultrasound, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling); direct fetal assessment (including invasive procedures such as intrauterine therapies and fetal surgeries); and genetic counseling and education. The medical team consists of perinatologists, perinatal nurses, ultrasonographers and genetic counselors with extensive training in high-risk pregnancy care. The perinatologists are board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as maternal-fetal medicine. They serve as consultants to physicians in managing a complicated pregnancy, and assist obstetricians in the tri-state area in the care of high-risk patients. For an appointment with the Division, please call [ top ] |
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First diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age ten, Cheryl Meidling grew up believing that she could never give birth to a healthy baby. The American Diabetes Association reports that as recently as 20 years ago, women with diabetes were often advised to avoid having children due to the risk of birth defects for the baby and complications for the mother.
that of women who do not have diabetes,” he relates.
