Small online magazine offers support for pregnant diabetics

The rate of diabetes in pregnancy is on the rise. Pregnant diabetics often feel isolated and lonely during pregnancy. A small online magazine edited by a diabetic mom is attempting to fill this need.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the maternal diabetes rate was 25.3 per 1000 women during 1993-1995. Recent studies suggest this rate is increasing. It is also reported that diabetic mothers were more likely to initiate prenatal care during the first trimester than non-diabetic mothers.

In spite of these findings, many pregnant diabetics report they experience feelings of isolation and loneliness during pregnancy. In addition support and information resources specific to diabetes during pregnancy are reportedly hard to find. According to Elizabeth Woolley, a 33-year-old mother of a 10-month old son, she didn't feel like she fit in with support groups of pregnant non-diabetics. "Because of my diabetes, I was considered a high-risk pregnancy. I saw a high-risk OB, was subjected to extra nerve-wracking tests, had to be extremely careful with my diet, and experienced a lot of stress and worry. I felt non-diabetics couldn't understand what I was going through, and my non-diabetic pregnant friends would indulge any and all cravings when they got together. Also, I couldn't take my oral medications during pregnancy and had to start taking insulin which can sometimes be scary business. One bout with the stomach flu landed me in the ER followed by a week-long hospital stay." Eventually she found the support and camaraderie she was craving on an internet discussion group for pregnant diabetics.

In an effort to help other diabetic mothers, she has started a small internet site called Diabetic Mommy Online Magazine at diabeticmommy.com. "The site is really small now, but I hope to create a website where diabetic mommies can find useful information and direction to online support. It's really hard to do this on my own - especially with my baby just starting to crawl and get into everything, so I am asking other moms to give me feedback and contribute articles and advice." Her site is part of the Webseed network, an informational community dedicated to offering quality online content. "I am not a health care professional and I don't have any special certifications, I am simply a fellow diabetic mommy who understands what it feels like to be lonely, scared, and confused in the doctor's office during pregnancy." Her website address is:

http://www.diabeticmommy.com