Type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy
Planning your pregnancy with diabetes
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and thinking about having a baby, it’s important to talk to your healthcare team. There are risks in every pregnancy, but if you have type 1 or 2 diabetes the risks are higher for both the mother and the baby. No one can avoid these risks completely, but you can reduce them if your pregnancy is carefully planned.
Pregnancy and diabetes
If you haven’t seen your healthcare team and find out that you’re pregnant, try not to worry. There are still lots of things you can do to reduce the risks and give your baby the best possible start in life.
The first thing to do is make an urgent appointment with your GP or diabetes team.
They will talk to you about:
- how pregnancy may affect your diabetes
- how diabetes may affect your pregnancy, including labour and birth
- how your diabetes will be managed during pregnancy, including what extra care you’ll have
- what diabetes medication you are taking and if you need to make any changes
- any other medication you’re taking and if you need to make any changes
- pregnancy glucose targets and how to keep your glucose levels within safe limits during pregnancy.
Folic acid and diabetes
You will also need to start taking a higher dose (5mg) of folic acid every day, from as soon as possible (ideally before pregnancy as soon as you stop contraception) until you are 12 weeks pregnant. This is taken as a tablet (supplement) and reduces the risk of having a baby with spina bifida or other problems affecting the baby's spine and neural tube.
You’ll need to get a prescription for this from your GP because you can’t get this dose of folic acid over the counter.
Your mental health
Being pregnant with a long-term health condition is different for everyone. Some women may find it more difficult than others.
Pregnancy can be an emotional experience for anyone, even if they are completely healthy. So, it’s completely understandable to feel anxious if your pregnancy is a bit more complicated. But if you feel very stressed or anxious, it’s important to ask for help.
Find out more about type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy and your emotional health.
NICE (2015). Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period. National Institute for health and care excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng3
Review dates
Last reviewed: 20 July, 2020
Next review: 20 July, 2023
Read more about type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy
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Feeding your baby after birth with type 1 or 2 diabetes
If you have type 1/2 diabetes, feeding your baby after the birth is very important to make sure their glucose levels are stable. -
Labour and birth with type 1 or 2 diabetes
Labour and birth may be different from what you had imagined, but it can still be a positive experience. Talk to your healthcare team about what your options are. -
Type 1 or 2 diabetes and pregnancy: who will be involved in your care?
Different local areas have different arrangements for type 1 and 2 diabetes care in pregnancy, but your team will include specialists in a number of different areas. -
Long term effects of type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy
The fact that you have type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy does not mean that your baby will get it as a child. But they will have an increased risk of getting it later due to genetics. -
How type 1 or 2 diabetes might affect your pregnancy
Having diabetes can increase the possibility of problems in pregnancy. But managing your diabetes well, before and during your pregnancy, will help to reduce these. -
Using insulin in pregnancy with type 1/2 diabetes
The treatment you were using to manage your diabetes before you became pregnant may change during pregnancy. If you were using tablets, you may have to start using insulin. -
Second trimester with Type 1 or 2 diabetes
By the second trimester, as your baby grows and starts to kick, you may need more insulin. Your medication and insulin needs will be regularly reviewed with you. -
After the birth with type 1 or 2 diabetes
You will need to make changes to your medication and monitor your glucose levels carefully after you’ve had your baby. -
Your baby after giving birth with type 1 or 2 diabetes
The levels of glucose in your blood can directly affect your baby’s glucose levels when he is born. -
Testing your glucose levels with type 1/2 diabetes
If you have type 1 or 2 diabetes, managing your blood glucose levels can now be much harder in pregnancy. Testing is an important part of self-care. -
Diet and exercise with type 1/2 diabetes
You may be able to use diet and exercise alone to keep your blood glucose levels within safe limits during pregnancy. -
Third trimester with type 1 or 2 diabetes
If you are treated with insulin in pregnancy, by the third trimester your insulin requirements are likely to be much higher than they were before.