Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam

Pregnant women with diabetes, particularly those with pre-existing diabetes or poorly controlled gestational diabetes, face various health risks that could complicate delivery. One significant risk is the potential for developing proliferative retinopathy. This condition can affect the blood vessels in the retina and may lead to vision complications, which can be exacerbated during the stress of labor and delivery. If this condition is present, a cesarean delivery may be recommended to avoid the complications associated with vaginal delivery that could increase pressure and stress on the eyes, potentially leading to further damage. Other factors like the inability to tolerate anesthesia, a higher risk for developing gestational diabetes, or the likelihood of multiple pregnancies do not directly correlate to an increased need for cesarean deliveries in the same way as the presence of proliferative retinopathy. Thus, the association between proliferative retinopathy and the likelihood of requiring a cesarean section is more clearly established in clinical practice.