Diabetes and Pregnancy
Planning to have a baby is a big decision. Many women who have diabetes experience healthy pregnancies and deliver a healthy baby. Careful pre-pregnancy planning and involvement with your diabetes team from the start is a good idea.
Planning to have a baby is a big decision. Many women who have diabetes experience healthy pregnancies and deliver a healthy baby. Careful pre-pregnancy planning and involvement with your diabetes team from the start is a good idea.
The first eight weeks are particularly important for the physical development of your baby, so it is important to continue to use some form of contraception after you have made the decision to try for a baby until you have had a pre-pregnancy planning discussion and advice from your diabetes care team.
If you have Type 1 diabetes and are planning to have a baby, it is important to talk to your Diabetes Specialist Nurse or a member of your diabetes team before you become pregnant.
Why do I need to plan ahead before I am pregnant?
- It is very important to keep your blood glucose levels under tight control at the time your baby is conceived and during the first six to eight weeks of pregnancy
- Most women don't even know they are pregnant at this stage
- You will probably be asked to take 5mg folic acid supplement before you conceive
Why do I need this tight control?
- Excellent control of your blood glucose levels during these early weeks reduces your risk and your baby's risk of developing health problems
- Good control in the early stages protects your baby while his or her important organs are forming
The below topics provide further information that may be useful during your pregnancy.
Included in this section:
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Controlling Your Blood Glucose Your glucose levels need to be carefully managed and within a specific target range before you become pregnant so that you minimise your chances of developing avoidable complications for you and your developing child during your pregnancy.
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Living with diabetes during pregnancy can be challenging, but you can still lead a healthy life. Take control of your diabetes by managing the key components of diet and lifestyle and lead a near normal life. |
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It can be particularly difficult to control blood glucose levels when you are ill or have an infection. You will cope better if you are prepared.
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If you are taking insulin or certain tablets, such as sulphonylureas ( e.g. gliclazide),to control your diabetes then you will have an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (hypos). |
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Around half of all pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, and around three in ten women experience nausea without vomiting. |
If you have diabetes, it is strongly recommended that you give birth with the support of a consultant-led maternity team in a hospital. |
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Your Health After Giving Birth If you have diabetes, some extra steps may be taken after giving birth to make sure you and your baby are off to a healthy start. You should find, however, that you won't need as much insulin to control your blood glucose levels. |
Mothers with diabetes may be concerned that breastfeeding could aggravate their symptoms or that their diet or medical condition could complicate nursing. |
