High standard metabolic compensation of diabetes reduces in a significant way the risk of developmental defects and the perinatal morbidity of children of diabetic mothers and the maternal mortality. A considerable proportion of diabetic women is inadequately informed on the risks of pregnancy. As many as two thirds of pregnancies in diabetic women are unplanned and thus the risk of inadequate compensation of diabetes in early stages of pregnancy increases. Preparation of diabetic women for planned pregnancy is therefore very important. Ensuring long-term normal blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetics has many pitfalls and involves in particular optimal insulin treatment and systematic and high standard control of the blood sugar level and other parameters.

        Key words: Diabetes mellitus type 1 - Preconception preparation of diabetic women - Metabolic compensation of diabetes - Risks of pregnancy