Like many women, Robyn Taylor of Imperial, Missouri had always dreamed of having children. When she married her husband more than 10 years ago, they began planning for a family. After struggling to conceive, the 41-year-old then learned she had only one viable ovary and would never be able to conceive a child naturally.
“We were told we’d have to rely on some level of intervention such as IVF,” said Robyn. “Unfortunately, IVF just wasn’t an option for us, so I knew we had to give up. But the grief and pain of letting go of that dream really took a toll on my psyche.”
Sadly, Robyn’s dream of getting pregnant and having a baby seemed out of reach. She and her husband were heartbroken.
A few years later, Robyn was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She had struggled with her weight for most of her life, but this diagnosis felt like another major blow. She was also in a car accident, which left her with chronic back pain, making exercise even more challenging. Determined to prioritize her health, Robyn vowed to start working out and making healthier food choices, including cutting out soda and adding more vegetables to her diet.
Those key lifestyle changes paid off. Robyn lost 50 pounds and was able to keep her blood sugar levels controlled. But nothing could’ve prepared her for the best, most unexpected surprise that soon followed.
In the fall of 2020, Robyn made an appointment for a wellness exam. She had recently developed breast pain and was concerned it could be a sign of breast cancer, which runs in her family.
“After taking my vitals and hearing my symptoms, the nurse asked me if I could be pregnant,” recalled Robyn. “I literally laughed out loud and told her that wasn’t even possible!”
Turns out, that nurse was spot on: Robyn’s pregnancy test came back positive. She learned she was approximately 16 weeks along in her pregnancy. Robyn and her husband were shocked, but thrilled.
The MODE Program at SSM Health: Helping Manage Diabetes and Pregnancy
Given Robyn’s diabetes and advanced maternal age, her medical team wanted to get a jumpstart on her prenatal care. Her OB/GYN, Dr. Richard Bolanos, referred her to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital for its comprehensive maternal diabetes program and high-risk delivery services.
“As a high-risk condition, diabetes presents some unique challenges for pregnant women. A balanced diet, regular exercise and avoiding excessive weight gain are critical for diabetics to maintain a healthy pregnancy. However, keeping your blood sugar within your target range during pregnancy is the best thing you can do for you and your baby,” said Katie Mayeux, a diabetes care and education specialist with the SSM Health Maternal Outreach Diabetes Education (MODE) program.
The MODE program offers diabetes self-management education and support to expectant women in the St. Louis region. The team includes maternal-fetal medicine specialists; certified diabetes educators; and registered nutritionists, who work together to ensure patients like Robyn get the specialized care they need during their pregnancies.
The MODE team advises diabetic patients who are expecting to pay close attention to their blood sugar levels. There are numerous benefits to properly managing blood sugar during pregnancy, including:
- Reduce the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth
- Reduce the risk of premature birth
- Reduce the risk of birth defects, particularly those affecting the brain, spine, and heart
- Reduce the risk of having a large baby, which can make a vaginal delivery difficult, thereby increasing the risk of a C-section
- Prevent complications for mom such as urinary tract infections and yeast infections
- Prevent complications for baby such as low blood sugar levels shortly after birth
- Prevent breathing problems and a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice) in the baby after birth:
Fortunately, Robyn’s recent lifestyle changes set her up for a successful pregnancy. By managing her weight, exercising, and regularly monitoring her blood sugar levels, she was doing exactly what she needed to do for her baby – even before she got pregnant.
“I pricked my finger four to six times a day to make sure my blood sugar levels were stable,” said Robyn. “I continued to exercise and mow the grass, even though so many people told me I should take it easy. I knew that staying active was the best thing for me and my son. I also managed to avoid any swelling in my feet until the very end of my pregnancy.”
Robyn came in for her regular prenatal checkups and underwent non-stress tests twice a week starting at 28 weeks of her pregnancy. Taking anywhere between 15 and 45 minutes, non-stress tests use two monitoring devices – one to check the baby’s heart rate in response to its movements and another to check the mom for any uterine contractions.
“Initially, my medical team was worried that my son wasn’t as active as he should be, so that’s why I came in twice a week for the non-stress tests,” said Robyn. “I didn’t mind though, because it gave me reassurance that he was doing okay.”
Robyn’s pregnancy continued to progress nicely. Her medical team commended her calling her ‘the picture of diabetic health.’ Robyn made it past 39 weeks before being admitted for an induction at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis. On May 6, 2021 – three days before her due date – she delivered a healthy baby boy, Kenneth Michael Taylor, who weighed seven pounds, seven ounces.
A successful outcome
Robyn’s son did require a short stay in the hospital’s level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to help stabilize his sugar levels. Babies born to diabetic mothers are more likely to have periods of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) shortly after birth. Most babies’ insulin levels adjust after a few days. That was the case for Robyn’s son, who received state-of-the-art care and monitoring in the NICU, which was just down the hall from Robyn.
As a level III NICU, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital offers newborns like Kenneth a higher level of care. The NICU features:
- A team of neonatologists, NICU nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, and respiratory therapists, who are fully trained to provide advanced, intensive care, and support to newborns 24/7, including those born as early as 28 weeks
- Neonatal nurses who specialize in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies
- Lactation specialists available seven days a week for breastfeeding support to help babies get off to a healthy start
- NicView™ cameras allow mothers and families the ability to access a 24-hour video stream of their babies by using their smartphone or tablet
Both Robyn and her son recovered beautifully and were discharged from the hospital three days later – which also happened to be Mother’s Day.
“Robyn and her son are both healthy and thriving today because of everything she did before and throughout her pregnancy,” said Katie. “She’s truly a model patient for other expectant moms with diabetes who hope to have a healthy pregnancy and baby. We’re so happy for her.”
For more information about pregnancy and diabetes (type 1, type 2 and gestational), talk to your provider or maternal-fetal medicine specialist. You can also learn more about the MODE program at SSM Health by calling 1-888-636-7642 or visiting: https://www.ssmhealth.com/maternity/high-risk-pregnancy/gestational-diabetes/maternal-outreach-diabetes-education
For more information about high-risk pregnancies and the services available at SSM Health, visit: https://www.ssmhealth.com/maternity/high-risk-pregnancy
