Diabetes Education
IU Health provides diabetes education support to help manage type 1, type 2, gestational and prediabetes from childhood to adulthood.
We’ll address your symptoms, concerns and preferences for you and your baby before, during and after pregnancy
Your body normally undergoes rapid changes during pregnancy for the development of your child. However, endocrine problems sometimes occur during pregnancy as part of a preexisting or new condition.
At IU Health Diabetes & Endocrinology, we deliver comprehensive care to address your specific symptoms, concerns and preferences to keep you and your baby healthy.
Some examples of endocrine problems during pregnancy include:
Thyroid hormones play a role in metabolism, breathing, heart function and many other processes. A healthy pregnancy and healthy brain development for your baby necessitate proper levels of these hormones.
Certain experiences, like feeling cold during pregnancy, may indicate a hormonal issue, or they may be a normal part of pregnancy. It is best to speak to your OB/GYN about anything you experience.
Overproduction of thyroid hormones, known as hyperthyroidism, can cause complications in pregnancy including miscarriage, preterm birth and preeclampsia. The opposite occurs in hypothyroidism, when the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism can also cause problems including preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm birth and low birth weight. Hashimoto’s disease in pregnancy, in particular, presents potential issues with hypothyroidism. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can be harmful to the health of developing babies.
Uncontrolled Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, preeclampsia and birth defects. If you already have diabetes, you may need to see a high-risk pregnancy doctor, such as the experts at the Riley Children's Health Maternal-Fetal Medicine department.
Gestational diabetes (diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy) can also occur. It results in elevated blood sugar that begins in pregnancy and ends after delivery. Any form of diabetes can cause complications such as early delivery or excessive birth weight.
Some examples of endocrine problems during pregnancy include:
Thyroid hormones play a role in metabolism, breathing, heart function and many other processes. A healthy pregnancy and healthy brain development for your baby necessitate proper levels of these hormones.
Certain experiences, like feeling cold during pregnancy, may indicate a hormonal issue, or they may be a normal part of pregnancy. It is best to speak to your OB/GYN about anything you experience.
Overproduction of thyroid hormones, known as hyperthyroidism, can cause complications in pregnancy including miscarriage, preterm birth and preeclampsia. The opposite occurs in hypothyroidism, when the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism can also cause problems including preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm birth and low birth weight. Hashimoto’s disease in pregnancy, in particular, presents potential issues with hypothyroidism. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can be harmful to the health of developing babies.
Uncontrolled Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, preeclampsia and birth defects. If you already have diabetes, you may need to see a high-risk pregnancy doctor, such as the experts at the Riley Children's Health Maternal-Fetal Medicine department.
Gestational diabetes (diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy) can also occur. It results in elevated blood sugar that begins in pregnancy and ends after delivery. Any form of diabetes can cause complications such as early delivery or excessive birth weight.
Treating endocrine disorders during pregnancy requires highly specialized knowledge and experience. Through our partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine , we maintain access to the latest knowledge and tools for managing all types of endocrine conditions.
If you have diabetes, your treatment team will usually recommend insulin or other therapies. Treatment options include:
If you have thyroid disease, medicine may keep your thyroid levels healthy for you and your baby. Rarely, pregnant women need surgery during pregnancy. Physicians do not consider radiation treatment safe during pregnancy. Treatment options include:
Treating endocrine disorders during pregnancy requires highly specialized knowledge and experience. Through our partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine , we maintain access to the latest knowledge and tools for managing all types of endocrine conditions.
If you have diabetes, your treatment team will usually recommend insulin or other therapies. Treatment options include:
If you have thyroid disease, medicine may keep your thyroid levels healthy for you and your baby. Rarely, pregnant women need surgery during pregnancy. Physicians do not consider radiation treatment safe during pregnancy. Treatment options include:
Women with endocrine disorders in pregnancy can get information and support from the following external websites:
Women with endocrine disorders in pregnancy can get information and support from the following external websites:
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