Planning a pregnancy if you’ve had gestational diabetes before

Any pregnant person can get gestational diabetes, but your risk is higher if you’ve had it before.

If you’re planning to get pregnant again, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. 

Before you start trying for a baby, try to:

• eat a healthy diet

• exercise often

• stay a healthy weight

Find out more about things to do before you start trying to get pregnant.

"The second time around I didn’t eat chocolate, and getting out and walking was easier because I had a child. Worrying about it added a lot of anxiety to my pregnancy, but I didn’t have gestational diabetes." 

Prisha

Type 2 diabetes

If you’ve had gestational diabetes, you are also at higher risk of type 2 diabetes in later life. This means you should have a blood test every year to check that you haven’t developed diabetes. This is called an HBa1c test.

If you haven’t been tested for diabetes in a while, it’s important to get checked before trying for a baby. Your GP can arrange a test for you.

If you have diabetes and want to get pregnant, you should be referred to a diabetes preconception clinic. They can help make sure your type 2 diabetes is well managed before you start trying for a baby.

Learn more about planning a pregnancy with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Folic acid and vitamin D

Folic acid is a vitamin, sometimes called vitamin B9. It is found in certain foods and can also be taken as a tablet. If you’re planning to have a baby, try to take folic acid tablets before you conceive.

Ideally, start folic acid tablets 2 to 3 months before you start trying for a baby, and carry on until you’re at least 12 weeks pregnant. This allows folic acid to build up in your body, to protect your future baby against neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

If you have diabetes, or are very overweight, you will need a higher dose of 5mg of folic acid a day. This has to be prescribed by your GP.

Vitamin D is also important to take in early pregnancy, so it’s good to start taking it if you’re trying for a baby.

During the summer months, we get vitamin D from the sun, but it’s recommended to take a tablet containing 10mcg a day from September through to March.

You may get less vitamin D from the sun, and need a supplement all year round, if:

• you have Black or Brown skin

• you cover your skin when you’re outdoors

• you spend a lot of time indoors

Find out more about the benefits of taking folic acid and vitamin D before pregnancy.

If you have an unplanned pregnancy

If you’re already pregnant, try not to worry. Talk to your GP as soon as you can and tell them about your history of diabetes in pregnancy.

You’ll have 1 of the following tests to see if you have gestational diabetes again:

• a kit with a finger-pricking device so that you can check your own blood sugar (glucose)  levels from early pregnancy

• an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which you will have very soon after your booking appointment, and another at 24-28 weeks if the first test is normal.

Try to bear in mind that although your risk of gestational diabetes is higher, this does not mean you will develop it again. You can still reduce your risk by eating balanced meals, doing regular exercise, and staying a healthy weight.

You can talk to your midwife at any point if you have concerns. 

You can also speak to our midwives on our pregnancy line on 0800 014 7800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or email us at [email protected].

Find out more about things to do before you start trying to get pregnant. You can also use our planning for pregnancy tool to get tailored suggestions on what to do next.