Diabetes Management

Women with Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes have very different needs during their pregnancy. This requires intense teamwork between the pregnant woman and her care providers.

Evergreen's diabetes care team consists of:

• An ARNP with specialized training and certification in diabetes management
• Perinatologists
• Registered nurse/certified diabetes educator
• Registered dietitian/certified diabetes educator
• Genetic counselors

A customized plan of care is formulated for each patient, based on her medical history and laboratory test results.

Tracking Throughout the Pregnancy

• Patients receive education about how diabetes affects the pregnancy, and how pregnancy affects diabetes.
• Registered dieticians assist with nutrition education and meal planning.
• Frequent home blood glucose testing is used to ensure that glucose levels stay within healthy ranges.
• Medication is prescribed when exercise and dietary measures are not effective in maintaining good glucose control.
• Perinatologists monitor the baby's development and overall well-being with regular ultrasounds. They also monitor the mother's blood-sugar levels, kidney function, blood pressure and overall health.

Pre-Conception Counseling

The Diabetes Management Program also offers pre-conception counseling for diabetics.

It's extremely important that women with diabetes have normal blood-sugar levels and be healthy overall before they become pregnant. If blood glucose levels are high in the first six weeks, before most women even know they are pregnant, it can have a devastating impact on the developing fetus.

A physician's referral is needed to access the Diabetes Managment program.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact:

Joni Longthorpe, ARNP, CDE
425.899.2200
JELongthorpe@evergreenhealthcare.org