Published: September 9, 2026
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Shahrazad Scott was diagnosed with prediabetes and was working to get healthier and lose weight. She wanted children, but nothing was planned.
She was excited when she found out she was pregnant.
“Things happen when they’re supposed to happen,” she said.
She also learned her prediabetes had become Type 2 diabetes. It meant she was one of the many people with prepregnancy diabetes. Prepregnancy diabetes, which is Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, increased from 8.6 to 10.9 per 1,000 births between 2016 and 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s a 27% increase in just five years.
Gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, affects between 5% and 9% of women, and also has increased. In Kentucky, nearly 10% of pregnancies are complicated by diabetes.
Shahrazad’s obstetrician referred her to maternal-fetal medicine specialists with the Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute Perinatal Program at Norton Healthcare.
“Diabetes poses many risks to both the expectant mother and baby,” said Kristine Y. Lain, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine specialist and medical director of Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine. “Our program provides services for family planning, pregnancy care and postpartum care to give families the resources they need for the healthiest pregnancies and beyond.”
Specialists with the perinatal program contacted Shahrazad the same day as her referral, providing information and support immediately. It became a partnership in which they came up with a game plan to help Shahrazad navigate her health needs and the baby’s during the pregnancy.
“I initially felt like I wasn’t doing the right thing and had failed my baby,” Shahrazad said. “They provided an extra source of support. If anything, you are helping your situation by actively getting extra eyes on your baby and pregnancy.”
This included medications to manage diabetes, testing, diet guidance and navigating changes that come with pregnancy. With the help of the entire team, which includes maternal-fetal medicine specialists, diabetes educators and clinical dietitians, she received support in person and through phone calls and virtual visits.
“I learned how to count carbs and make sure to eat properly throughout pregnancy: Breakfast is really important, and so are nutrient-rich foods,” Shahrazad said. “You might have cravings, but you need to do the right things, drink plenty of water, still eat and be healthy, but not starve.”
Part of the way through her pregnancy, her blood pressure started to go up, and preeclampsia became a risk.
“With diabetes in pregnancy, there is a greater risk of miscarriage or preeclampsia, and the baby is at greater risk of congenital issues and being larger than normal,” Dr. Lain said. “These things make it very important to manage the diabetes.”
The hard work paid off: Shahrazad’s son was born at 37 weeks, and she is grateful.
“Dealing with diabetes while pregnant is like a second job, but thanks to my specialists, we did it.”
As not-for-profit organizations, Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute and Norton Healthcare rely on support from the community to ensure that everyone has access to the medical care, groundbreaking research, new technology and facilities they need. Make a donation or learn how you can help at NortonHealthcareFoundation.com.