JDRF study shows CGM use during pregnancy makes for healthier moms and babies

JDRF wants to make all aspects of living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as safe and easy as possible, and that includes pregnancy. We want to help moms-to-be maintain healthy blood-sugar levels and prevent newborns from having complications and needing intensive care.

So we are elated that JDRF-funded research, published today, has shown a way to make this happen. JDRF’s CONCEPTT study showed that using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) during and prior to pregnancy improves health outcomes for both mothers and babies. In the study, women with T1D who used a CGM spent an extra 100 minutes per day with blood sugars in a healthy range, and their babies were less likely to have hypoglycemia post-partum. Babies of women who used a CGM were also about half as likely to have complications or require intensive care.

The study posed some logistical challenges, recruiting 325 women from 31 hospitals in seven countries over 5+ years, and JDRF is proud to have championed it the whole way to deliver these results for our community. Based on the results, we hope the use of CGM during pregnancy will become the norm worldwide, so that all women with T1D have the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Like Stephenie, now a proud mom with T1D, who used a CGM to help manage blood sugar during her recent pregnancy. About a month ago, her son James was born and she couldn’t be more in love. And we couldn’t be happier for her!

Learn more about having a healthy pregnancy with T1D, or compare notes with others who are pregnant or planning pregnancies at TypeOneNation.org.