Planning a pregnancy with diabetes
Trying for a baby is an exciting time, but it can come with some extra worry if you have a pre-existing health condition.
Most women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes go on to have a healthy pregnancy and baby. If you’re planning a pregnancy, there are a few important things to consider.
These include:
- Making an appointment with your healthcare team to chat through your pregnancy plan – how it might affect your medication, diabetes management and folic acid supplements, plus what to expect and the support available. Talking to your GP, midwife or Diabetes Specialist Nurse can help you stay informed and get advice on minimising the risk of complications (these include risks to your eyes and kidneys, having a larger baby, serious health problems for the baby, and miscarriage).
- Managing your blood sugar levels – as well as checking your HbA1c levels and aiming for appropriate targets.
- Checking your medication is safe during pregnancy or switching to safer alternatives. Speak to your GP or diabetes nurse for advice.
- Taking folic acid – a high-dose 5mg supplement is required for those with certain health conditions, including diabetes, and your healthcare team can prescribe this. It’s best to start taking it at least 12 weeks before becoming pregnant, and for at least the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, to help give your baby the best chance of avoiding neural tube defects or other complications.
- Having eye screening and kidney tests – pregnancy can impact diabetes complications, including eye and kidney problems, so it’s important to have both tested before trying for a baby.
- Getting support from those around you, including your partner and family/friends, and your healthcare team. Diabetes UK also have a helpline for when you need some extra support. If you want help with managing your weight, a supportive group environment can be beneficial, too.
Diabetes UK have more information on managing diabetes before, during and after pregnancy.
Tommy’s also have lots of helpful info on health conditions and planning a pregnancy, including a useful Planning for Pregnancy tool.
I’ve had gestational diabetes before. What do I need to think about?
If you’ve had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, you’re more likely to have it in a future one.
However, you can help reduce your risk by eating a healthy diet, staying active and aiming for a healthy weight. Having diabetes during pregnancy also means you’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later on, so you’ll probably need a yearly blood test to check. It’s important to make sure you’ve recently had this check before trying for a baby.
