Pre-pregnancy planning with diabetes
Having diabetes should not stop you from having a baby, if this is something you wish to do.
However, when you have any type of diabetes, planning your pregnancy is very important to make sure you and baby stay healthy and well during and after your pregnancy.
Blood glucose targets are much stricter in pregnancy to prevent problems such as malformations, stillbirth, and heart defects. The aim is to keep your blood sugar between 3.5 – 7.8 mmol/L most of the time. This can be difficult – but is not impossible, and we will support you every step of the way!
Before you try to get pregnant, make sure you contact us for pre-pregnancy planning so that we can discuss the following steps:
- taking higher dose Folic acid 5mg daily (prescribed by GP)
- getting your HbA1c below 48 mmol/mol (<6.5%)
- reviewing your medications like blood pressure / thyroid / statins / diabetes medications as these can be harmful to your unborn baby may need to be stopped or changed
- referring your for eye screening
- requesting blood tests and urine tests to check your kidney function
- discussing healthy lifestyle and weight management, if needed
Our service covers your pregnancy with:
- type 1 diabetes
- type 2 diabetes
- gestational diabetes
Having diabetes during pregnancy can be stressful in what is a joyful time in your life. We will support you, guiding you through your pregnancy. Our goal is a healthy baby and birthing parent at the end of the pregnancy. We can help you get in control of any diabetes-related health issue, before you try for a baby.
Diabetes and pregnancy clinic
Our multidisciplinary clinic runs Wednesday mornings in the main antenatal clinic at Colchester hospital. If you become pregnant please let your usual diabetes team know as soon as possible and notify ESNEFT Midwives.
For more information see the following articles:
- discover how to plan for a pregnancy, when you have diabetes, through the Diabetes UK website (opens in a new window)
- read more about having a safe pregnancy from conception to birth, on Tommy’s pregnancy and baby charity website (opens in a new window)
- learn more about diabetes in pregnancy, from preconception to the postnatal period. Read the NICE guidelines (opens in a new window)
- learn about NHS advice on Diabetes, pregnancy and what it means for you (opens in a new window)
If you are already pregnant visit our self-referral to Colchester maternity services page to advise on the next steps
If you would like to discuss planning a pregnancy with us, self-refer to the ESNEFT Community Diabetes (North East Essex Diabetes Service- NEEDS) by emailing the team.
We look forward to supporting you on your pregnancy journey!
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