Type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy

Pregnancy can make your blood glucose levels more erratic. You need specialist healthcare advice to make sure that:

• you're taking medicine that is suitable for pregnancy
• you're taking the right doses for your needs, which will change through your pregnancy.

If you have diabetes during pregnancy your baby is at higher risk of a number of complications. These risks can be reduced by keeping your blood glucose to the recommended levels before you conceive and during your pregnancy. This is done through diet and exercise and medication.

Tommy’s researchers are trying to find out how we can prevent women from developing diabetes during pregnancy, and how to help those who do. You can read more about our gestational diabetes research here. 

Women with diabetes are recommended to attend pre-pregnancy clinics before thinking about having a baby. But things don’t always go to plan, and if you do become pregnant unexpectedly, there is still much you can do to give your baby the best possible start.

Not pregnant yet? Find out the 8 crucial steps you should take before trying.

Pregnant already? Find out how your care in pregnancy will be different.