Pre Pregnancy Counselling
To prevent excess spontaneous abortions and congenital malformations in infants of diabetic mothers, diabetic care, education and counselling must begin before conception. Therefore, you should refer the woman to doctor. The counsellor plays an important role by providing a much needed mental and emotional support to a diabetic woman planning her pregnancy. The utility of preconception counselling in preventing diabetes related complications at all stages of pregnancy is important.
Many a time, diabetes is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. In such cases counselling is very important to prepare the patients to handle the pregnancy.
They should be told about:
· The importance of strict sugar control.
· The changes that occur in their metabolism due to pregnancy
· Follow the prescription by the doctor.
· The pregnancy complications that might occur due to diabetes like abortion, preterm labor, hypertension, infections, etc.
· The need for early registration and frequent checks in the hospital.
· The need for healthy habits which benefit not only the child but also the mother herself.