Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-existing Diabetes [Paperback]

Cheryl Alkon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

Diabetes affects women of all life stages. According to the CDC, about 1.85 million women, in the US, of reproductive age (18-44 years) have diabetes. If not managed properly, expectant mothers with diabetes are more likely to encounter complications such as preeclampsia, birth defects, other health problems, and infections. Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby is a down to earth guide for diabetic mothers-to-be. The book explains everything from what is diabetes to labor, delivery, and infertility. Unlike existing books written in dry scientific language, this is a unique patient-written guidebook that includes medical facts, first person reports, and interviews from women living with diabetes who share their pregnancy related experiences.

Topics covered include:

• What is Diabetes?
  
• Finding the right doctor
  
• The first, second, and third trimesters
  
• Labor and delivery
  
• Balancing your health needs with those of your child
  
• Infertility and pregnancy loss
  
• Resources

Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes is a complete guide for diabetic women who want to successfully plan their pregnancies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Finally! A resource for women with diabetes that neither judges them for wanting to get pregnant nor scares them out of it. This engaging - and funny - book full of myth-busting accounts of women who have been there tells potential moms that yes there is hard work involved in a healthy pregnancy with diabetes but reminds us of the joys all that hard work can bring."-Michelle Kowalski, dlife.com

"Cheryl Alkon has given me what I wish I had 14 years ago when a dear friend with diabetes became pregnant: a book filled with wisdom and wit to reassure me that both Mom-to-be and Baby could stay healthy and happy for years to come." - Kristen De Deyn Kirk, editor, MyTidewaterMoms.com

"The book is amazing. Know that Cheryl's book covers everything. In detail. And the amount of women she interviewed really assists in making it personal and meaningful."-Emily Berthold, editor, bumbeta.blogspot.com

"Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, people told me that having would be difficult at best. But now, seven months pregnant with my first child, I realize that more success stories need to be told. Cheryl's book is the resource of hope, inspiration, and information that all women with type 1 diabetes need to read."-Kerri Morrone Sparling, sixuntilnine.com

"A valuable resource for diabetic women who wish to have a baby. Alkon's writing style makes the book interesting and easy to follow There is a wealth of information and tips for women to follow and most women with diabetes wishing to get pregnant or who are already pregnant will find the book beneficial. "-Caphis Consumer Connection (Kerri Sparling sixuntilnine.com 20100503) --Emily Berthold, editor, bumbeta.blogspot.com

About the Author

Cheryl Alkon is a writer, researcher and editor whose work has appeared in national and regional magazines and newspapers. She's lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years and has become an active member of the online diabetes blogging community with her blog Managing the Sweetness, named one of About.com's Six Diabetes Blogs Worth Visiting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Demos Health; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932603328
• ISBN-13: 978-1932603323
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cheryl Alkon is a writer, researcher, and editor. Her work has been published in national, regional, and online publications including the New York Times, Body+Soul, Boston, More, and Woman's Day. Her blog, Managing the Sweetness Within, at www.thesweetnesswithin.blogspot.com, chronicled her efforts to get and stay pregnant while managing her type 1 diabetes. The blog was named one of About.com's "Six Diabetes Blogs Worth Visiting." Learn more at www.CherylAlkon.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for us! May 10, 2010

By Sarah Henry

Format:Paperback

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!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for any and all moms-to-be with diabetes! April 23, 2010

By A. Norton

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A strange place to find encouragement. May 20, 2012

By Leslie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had a number of miscarriages which were not caused by diabetes. Before I tried again, I bought this book to understand pregnancy and diabetes. This book actually was the most uplifting book in the dozen that I bought and the other books were geared towards coping with loss and moving on. This book is extremely well written, optimistic, organized, and she does a great job explaining scientific processes. I really felt at ease and way more knowledgeable after reading this book. This is an excellent book!