Updated October 10, 2007

Pregnant and Pumping
Great Expectations

by Laura Hieronymus, M.S.Ed., A.P.R.N., B.C.-A.D.M., C.D.E., and Patti Geil, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.D.E.

Breast-feeding has numerous benefits for infants, so unless there is a compelling reason not to, it is recommended for new mothers. Insulin pump therapy can offer flexibility when juggling an infant’s feeding schedule with your own meal plan. For one thing, it allows you to safely delay your own meals (and boluses) if the baby needs feeding when you usually eat. It also allows you to use a temporary (usually lowered) basal rate during feedings to avoid hypoglycemia, if necessary.

Are you a candidate for pump therapy?
Day-to-day diabetes management is largely up to you. Having an insulin pump does not relieve you of your diabetes self-management responsibilities. Consider these criteria for trying insulin pump therapy. If you choose an insulin pump, it is ideal to begin the therapy prior to becoming pregnant. This allows for learning and mastering the use of the pump while working to achieve optimal glycemic control before you become pregnant. If you are interested in using an insulin pump for diabetes management, work with your health-care team to assure you have a full understanding if pump therapy is right for you.

Also in this article:
Is Pump Therapy Right for You?

Laura Hieronymus and Patti Geil are Certified Diabetes Educators in an ADA-recognized education service in Lexington, Kentucky. They counsel in the area of diabetes, pregnancy, and insulin pump management with Kristina Humphries, M.D. They are authors of the American Diabetes Association book 101 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy with Diabetes.

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