Type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy

There are risks in every pregnancy, but if you have type 1 or 2 diabetes the risks are higher for both you and your baby. There are lots of things you can do to make your pregnancy safer, though.

On this page

Type 1 or type 2 diabetes in pregnancy 

Pregnancy and diabetes

Folic acid and diabetes

Your mental health

Type 1 or type 2 diabetes in pregnancy

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and you’re thinking about having a baby, talk to your healthcare team. This is important because, while there are risks in every pregnancy, if you have diabetes the risks are higher for both you and your baby. No one can avoid these risks completely, but you can make your pregnancy safer if it is carefully planned and managed.

Pregnancy and diabetes

If you find out that you’re pregnant before seeing your healthcare team, try not to worry. There are still lots of things you can do to make your pregnancy safer and give your baby the best 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, such as the labour and birth
• how your diabetes will be managed during pregnancy  
• 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 you can (even better if you can take it as soon as you stop contraception before you’re pregnant) 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 that affect the baby's spine and neural tube.

You’ll need to get this prescribed by 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 can be tough.

Pregnancy can be an emotional time, even without health issues to contend with. So, don’t feel bad if you are anxious and if you feel like you are not coping at all look for help and support.