Customer Reviews

Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a type 1 diabetic embarking on the pregnancy journey, I found it frustrating that there were no books "for me." It was difficult to find in-depth diabetes information even in the best pregnancy guides. When, and if, diabetes is mentioned in most pregnancy books, it is brief, and left me with the feeling that I needed more information. I found it in Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes. This book is a blend of useful, smart information (like what blood glucose numbers to expect in each trimester and what kinds of numbers to expect on the "big day") with a girlfriends-talking-over-tea conversational banter (with tons of different opinions, because, as we all know, diabetes is not one size fits all). I couldn't wait to get my copy, and I was not disappointed! I am a much more confident mama-to-be with this book at my bedside. Finally, a book for us!

What a great resource for women with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes who are planning or who are already pregnant! This book has addressed all my fears and validated my hopes of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy as a Type 1 Diabetic! Cheryl Alkon writes this book in a way that makes you feel like you're having a conversation with her directly. She gives the facts of what to expect without the book feeling like a medical journal. I feel so blessed that this book has finally arrived during a time when I have so many questions that need answers as I plan to get pregnant and will be a well needed resource during a hopeful pregnancy and delivery!

Cheryl had taken her own experiences with diabetes, pregnancy and all that comes along with it and provided a wonderful, comprehensive resource for all moms, moms to be, and those that are part of their lives. Wonderful, fast reading, full of stories from other women who have pre-existing diabetes. Informative yet casual. I'm adding it to my bookshelves proudly!

Congratulations, Cheryl, for writing something that our community has needed for so long.

As a type 2 diabetic who is getting ready to try to conceive, I was thrilled when this book was published. I haven't been able to find anything else of much value on the subject, yet I want to learn as much as possible to prepare myself for a healthy pregnancy.

The book is filled with a lot of solid information, including not only expert recommendations, but experiences and advice from diabetic moms who have been there. There are some great tips that I was able to mark for future reference.

The only criticism I can think of would be that it covers the same general pregnancy advice as many other books (ie not specific to diabetics), but it never hurts to reinforce that information.

I am soooo very thankful for this book!! It offers everything a mommy to be needs, hope, science, wisdom, humor!! From pre conception, through concieving (and the trials there of) through the roller coaster of pregnancy and labor, right through the unknown that is motherhood Cheryl brings together many womens experiences, many diverse medical professionals and a lifetime of experience as a diabetic,and a mom to write that book we all need to make us feel less alone, more empowered, and less frustrated on this journey. She is even so open and caring as to include information on loss (hugely comforting to me as a mommy to an angel.)
If you're type 1 or 2 diabetic I dont just recomend this book, I beg you to purchase it!! for you, for your OB, for your Endo, for your partner, for your mom!! FOR EVERYONE!! As I embark on this pregnancy journey I thank Cheryl ALkon for this book, and all the women and doctors who contributed!

This book definitely focuses on Type 1 diabetics, so I would recommend it for them. If you are Type 2, it may still be helpful, but I would look elsewhere first.
Some information is repeated twice, such as the end of the Approaching the Big Day chapter and the beginning of The Big Day chapter.

Also, the author likes to insert lots of her own personal, although irrelevant, experience into the book. For example, she spent 2-3 paragraphs describing how her husband got bored in the hospital and started trying to help someone working at the hospital fix something. Other people's experiences, of course, get 1 to 2 sentences.

Having said that, she is still very objective about different people's opinions and doesn't try to persuade you to make the same decisions that she made.

Overall, it's a good book and worth the money, but don't expect too much (and definitely read "the big day" chapter well before the big day!).

Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck keeping those sugars in line!

This book was great! It was nice reading about how women delt with being prego and diabetic. I would highly recommend it.

I loved this book. It is so helpful as a diabetic when there's so many additional questions you have. The author addresses topics in a very engaging and conversational way that is easy to read and understand. She really knows her stuff!

This book really focuses on Type 1 Diabetes and pregnancy. It has solid advice and clear medical information. I would highly recommend it to any pregnant Type 1 diabetic.

I first discovered Cheryl's book when I was getting ready to start my own family. Her story made me laugh and cry and helped me realize that a healthy pregnancy with type 1 diabetes was possible! I've had type 1 diabetes for over 25 years and I'd been working towards a pregnancy for awhile. I was on an insulin pump, using a continuous glucose monitoring system and had gotten my A1cs in the healthy range for conception but it wasn't until I read Cheryl's book & blog
[] that I had an "aha" moment and realized I was ready to start trying for a baby. It just took a few months before I was pregnant and I now have a very healthy, happy 6-month old son! Even though my husband and doctors were supportive and encouraging, pregnancy with type 1 diabetes just seemed so overwhelming and intimidating. When I started reading Cheryl's book, I realized managing type 1 diabetes in pregnancy wasn't as unattainable as I'd thought. There were stories of other type 1 diabetics just like myself and what they'd gone through dealing with diabetes in pregnancy. I can't thank her enough for putting herself out there and bringing all these stories together encouraging and helping us fellow type 1 diabetics not feel so alone in our struggles to conceive.