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Diabetes in Pregnancy

 

heathy moms make healthy babies.

Diabetes in Pregnancy Research

SDRI and its former director, Dr. Lois Jovanovic, developed the protocols now considered standard care for pregnant women with diabetes through diet and insulin. Continuing her legacy, SDRI cared for 150 women with diabetes during pregnancy in 2022.

Recent studies found that the number of women with gestational diabetes increased by 56%, and the percentage of women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy increased by 37%. Gestational diabetes and pre-exisiting diabetes in pregnancy are associated with several severe maternal complications in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, preterm labor, need for induction of labor, cesarean delivery, and increased long-term risks of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.

SDRI is expanding our research program in the area of diet and insulin to determine the optimal care for pregnant women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and have initiated collaborations with experts at other academic institutions who will work with SDRI to develop these studies. These studies include the use of the Artificial Pancreas in women with type 1 diabetes and continuous glucose monitoring in women with gestational and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes in pregnancy are also a focus of our new Precision Metabolism initiative, which will evaluate the metabolic abnormalities, including β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance, that increase the risk of adverse outcomes in mother and child.

SDRI is proud to have collaborated with other leaders in the field of diabetes in pregnancy on the following research:

A significant and pivotal multi-center study, including SDRI, looked at the insulin use and glucose sensor metrics in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps. Continued efforts to utilize technology to help navigate changes in glycemic levels and insulin use throughout pregnancy is a priority for SDRI, as it reduces the risk to maternal and neonatal health. 

SDRI was part of a multi-center collaboration in comparing real-time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (RT-CGM) to capillary glucose monitoring in women with diabetes. The aim of the clinical trial was to examine target glucose attainment as it relates to pregnancy outcomes. 

The publication authored by SDRI researchers and collaborators, “Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of pre-pregnancy lifestyle intervention to reduce the recurrence of gestational diabetes: Gestational Diabetes Prevention/Prevención de la Diabetes Gestacional” was published in Trials in April 2021. 

The paper by SDRI and collaborators, “The Lois-P Study – Longitudinal Observation of Insulin Use and Glucose Sensor Metrics in Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes Using Continuous Glucose Monitors and Insulin Pumps.” was published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics in November 2021. 

Diabetes in Pregnancy Resources

JDRF Pregnancy Toolkit

For parents-to-be, this guide outlines disease management goals for pregnancy and how best to work with your medical team.

CA Diabetes and
Pregnancy Program

Diabetes is a complication for up to 7-14% of pregnant women. The California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program (CDAPP) Sweet Success provides comprehensive resources for those with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Santa Barbara
County Clinic

The Santa Barbara County Clinic works with SDRI to better serve those impacted by diabetes during pregnancy. Dr. Castorino works at the SB County clinic on a weekly basis to assist patients needing care for their diabetes during pregnancy. Contact SB County Clinic for more information, 805-681-5488.

SDRI YouTube Videos

We offer a variety of YouTube videos that tackle the major issues around diabetes, as well as diabetes in pregnancy. Hear from experts in the field, others living with diabetes, and much more!