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Diabetes

Specialist care, planned together

If you have diabetes and you’re thinking about trying for a baby — or you’re already pregnant — good control of your diabetes makes a real difference. With the right preparation and support, women with type 1, type 2 can have safe, healthy pregnancies. Our joint diabetes-and-pregnancy clinic brings together everyone you need in one place.

Plan before you conceive

Good control of diabetes during pregnancy will reduce any risk to you and your baby — and that work starts before conception. Higher blood glucose levels around the time of conception and in the first weeks of pregnancy can increase the risk of complications, including birth defects and miscarriage.

If you have diabetes, we recommend:

  • Speak to your GP or diabetes team before you start trying for a baby.
  • Aim for the best possible blood glucose control (your team will give you a target HbA1c).
  • Take a daily 5 mg folic acid supplement from at least one month before conception until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy.
  • Review your medications — some may need to be changed before pregnancy.
  • Have a check-up of your eyes, kidneys and general health.

Your specialist team

Our joint diabetes-and-pregnancy clinic is run by a specialist team that includes:

  • A diabetes doctor (endocrinologist)
  • An obstetrician
  • An ultrasonographer
  • A midwife
  • A diabetes midwife specialist
  • A dietician

You’ll see the team you need at each visit, so your diabetes care and your pregnancy care happen side by side rather than in separate appointments.

Parentcraft (antenatal) classes are also available to give you more information about your delivery and postnatal care.

Image suggestion: A multidisciplinary team chatting in a clinical hallway — friendly, professional.

What happens at each visit

At your visits:

  • A blood sample may be taken to check your blood glucose and HbA1c (a measure of your average glucose over the previous 2–3 months).
  • Your diabetes doctor will discuss your results and adjust your treatment as needed.
  • An obstetrician will check that all is well with you and your baby.
  • You’ll have ultrasound scans on week 28th and 36th to check your baby’s wellbeing and growth with additional scan on week 32 if you are on treatment.
  • The Dietician and Diabetes Midwife Specialist are available to help you fine-tune your diet, insulin and self-monitoring.

You’ll usually be seen more frequently than women without diabetes, so any adjustments can be made early.

Gestational diabetes

Some women develop diabetes for the first time during pregnancy — this is called gestational diabetes.

What is gestational diabetes?

A type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after the baby is born. It’s diagnosed with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), usually between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Women with a BMI over 30, a previous large baby (over 4.5 kg), a previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes, a family history of diabetes, or certain ethnic backgrounds. Your GP and midwife will discuss screening with you.

Most women manage gestational diabetes with diet and physical activity. Some will need tablets or insulin. Your diabetes team will guide you through home glucose monitoring and what your target levels are.

Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery, but you have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. You’ll have a follow-up glucose test a few weeks after the birth, and we recommend an annual check-up with your GP.