PRE-PREGNANCY care is multi-faceted; it includes issues relating
to smoking, alcohol consumption, healthy eating, folie acid supplements
and contraception. For women with diabetes the aim of
pre-pregnancy care should be to achieve a pregnancy outcome
that resembles that of the population without diabetes, which is a
healthy pregnancy and a normal, healthy baby and mother at
delivery, according to the St Vincent Declaration, 1989.
In an effort to prevent early pregnancy loss and congenital malformations
in infants, optimal medical care, patient education and
training must begin before conception.This is accomplished
through a multidisciplinary team approach.The women with diabetes
must become the most active member of the team.' As well
as coping with the emotional and physiological diversity of pregnancy,
the intensity of diabetes management is increased at this
time.' Coping with intensive treatment to achieve good glycaemic
control for pregnancy is difficult and motivation is an
important factor for the long-term success of the regimen.^