Nursing care of the pregnant woman with diabetes mellitus.
The woman with diabetes who becomes pregnant faces increased risk of morbidity, urinary tract infections, vaginitis, difficult delivery, hemorrhage, cesarean section, preeclampsia, and hydramnios. Chronic disease alone produces emotional tension. Added to this she has increased general life stresses such as added financial responsibility, increases time commitments, and changes in lifestyle demands. The infant of the diabetic is often large for dates, faces respiratory distress syndrome with early delivery, may experience hypoglycemia, and may have fetal anomalies. Clinical specialists of nursing, consulting and working together, can develop a plan of nursing care for the pregnant woman with diabetes. Because the pregnant diabetic woman faces the usual adjustments to pregnancy plus problems dealing with a chronic condition of diabetes, nursing care should combine consideration of the physical, emotional and educational needs. In view of the many health team members providing care to the pregnant diabetic, one central figure with continued interaction can decrease fragmentation and provide continuity of care.
D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012725:Sexual Behavior