Please note: The information on this page is general and in no way replaces consultation with a health professional. Whereas every effort is made to ensure accuracy and relevance this in no way replaces seeing a Health Professional.
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Advice for People that have Diabetes as a pre-existing condition.
The risk of problems for you and your baby can be greatly reduced by the following advice:
The risk of problems for you and your baby can be greatly reduced by the following advice:
- Avoid unplanned pregnancies. It is very important to plan any pregnancy and so contraception is very important.
- Good control of blood sugar (glucose) levels before and during pregnancy reduces the risks of stillbirth, miscarriage, congenital malformation and neonatal death.
- It is essential to follow dietary advice, weight control and exercise advice given to all people with diabetes.
- Make sure you are regularly checked for any complications of diabetes, including regular eye assessments and other assessments and appointments with your practice nurse, GP or specialist. If you are planning to become pregnant then you should take 5 mg of folic acid daily until 12 weeks of pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects in your baby.
- Ketone testing strips should be used to test for ketones if you become unwell. Ketones are substances the body makes if there is a lack of insulin in the blood.
- If you smoke then it is even more important to stop smoking before pregnancy.
- Reduce or cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Think very positively about breast-feeding because it improves blood sugar control and makes it easier to lose weight after giving birth.
The Risks of Diabetes in Pregnancy
There are various complications that may occur. Pre-conception care and good blood sugar (glucose) control before and during pregnancy can reduce these risks.
Problems during pregnancy
Premature birth: babies are more likely to be born early (before 37 weeks).
There is an increased risk of miscarriage or of the baby dying late in the pregnancy (stillborn).
Babies tend to be a higher birth weight and this may make giving birth much harder. There is an
increased risk of your baby becoming distressed during labour (fetal distress).
There may be too much fluid around your baby (polyhydramnios).
You may experience more infections during the pregnancy and the infections may be severe.
There is an increased risk of needing to give birth by caesarean section.
Problems for the baby after pregnancy
Congenital abnormalities are more common.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is common and may be severe.
Respiratory distress syndrome is more likely.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice) is more common.
Birth injury is more likely.
There is an increased risk of the baby dying soon after birth.
Problems for the mother
There is an increased risk of problems during the pregnancy, including high blood pressure and blood clots.
There is an increased risk of the blood sugar being very high (ketoacidosis) or too low.
There is also risk that long-term diabetes complications may become worse, including eye problems
and kidney problems.
Treatment
You will need frequent checks during your pregnancy. It is essential to have regular checks of your diabetes control and checks of your baby. You will also need the checks that all women need during pregnancy. A specialist will be involved to help look after your diabetes and your unborn baby.
It is recommended that women who have diabetes give birth in hospital. There is a risk that your baby may be distressed and it is essential that specialised care is immediately available.
Long Term Effects and Prognosis
Although there is a risk of many problems for you and your baby, frequent checks and good treatment will help to make sure that you stay well and have a healthy baby.
Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can usually stop taking diabetes treatment soon after giving birth. However, there is a high risk of having GDM in future pregnancies. There is also an increased risk of
developing diabetes (all the time and not just during pregnancies) in the future.
There are various complications that may occur. Pre-conception care and good blood sugar (glucose) control before and during pregnancy can reduce these risks.
Problems during pregnancy
Premature birth: babies are more likely to be born early (before 37 weeks).
There is an increased risk of miscarriage or of the baby dying late in the pregnancy (stillborn).
Babies tend to be a higher birth weight and this may make giving birth much harder. There is an
increased risk of your baby becoming distressed during labour (fetal distress).
There may be too much fluid around your baby (polyhydramnios).
You may experience more infections during the pregnancy and the infections may be severe.
There is an increased risk of needing to give birth by caesarean section.
Problems for the baby after pregnancy
Congenital abnormalities are more common.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is common and may be severe.
Respiratory distress syndrome is more likely.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice) is more common.
Birth injury is more likely.
There is an increased risk of the baby dying soon after birth.
Problems for the mother
There is an increased risk of problems during the pregnancy, including high blood pressure and blood clots.
There is an increased risk of the blood sugar being very high (ketoacidosis) or too low.
There is also risk that long-term diabetes complications may become worse, including eye problems
and kidney problems.
Treatment
You will need frequent checks during your pregnancy. It is essential to have regular checks of your diabetes control and checks of your baby. You will also need the checks that all women need during pregnancy. A specialist will be involved to help look after your diabetes and your unborn baby.
It is recommended that women who have diabetes give birth in hospital. There is a risk that your baby may be distressed and it is essential that specialised care is immediately available.
Long Term Effects and Prognosis
Although there is a risk of many problems for you and your baby, frequent checks and good treatment will help to make sure that you stay well and have a healthy baby.
Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can usually stop taking diabetes treatment soon after giving birth. However, there is a high risk of having GDM in future pregnancies. There is also an increased risk of
developing diabetes (all the time and not just during pregnancies) in the future.
