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If you become pregnant and you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you should go on to have a healthy baby. However, there are some complications to be aware of.
Type 1 and 2 diabetes are different to gestational diabetes, which usually appears during pregnancy and disappears following birth. Read more about gestational diabetes here.
Type 1 or 2 diabetes can increase the risk of:
- Having a larger baby, which may require an assisted birth
- Miscarriage
- Your baby developing health problems shortly after birth, such as heart or breathing problems
- Your baby developing obesity or diabetes in later life
If diabetes in pregnancy is not well controlled, it can further increase the risk of developing problems with the eyes and kidneys.
People with diabetes should have regular diabetes checks that screen for these issues.
How do I reduce the risk of complications?
The best way to reduce the risk to you and your baby is to ensure your diabetes is well controlled before and during pregnancy. Ideally, a pregnancy should be planned.
Before you start trying for a baby, ask your GP or diabetes specialist (diabetologist) for advice. You should be referred to a diabetic pre-conception clinic for support.
The clinic should test your HbA1c (blood sugar) level every month. It’s best to keep using contraception until your HbA1c level is under control.
If you have diabetes and become pregnant unexpectedly, speak to your GP or diabetes specialist as soon as possible.
During pregnancy your diabetes treatment regime may be changed as some medicines are not suitable for your baby. Speak to your GP or diabetes specialist for more advice about this.
