How type 1 or 2 diabetes might affect your pregnancy

Having diabetes can increase the chance of complications in pregnancy. But managing your diabetes well, before and during your pregnancy, will help to reduce any risks.

On this page

What diabetes means for you when you’re pregnant 

What diabetes means for your baby 

Retinopathy and nephropathy and pregnancy

Reducing the risks of diabetes complications in pregnancy

Your mental health

What diabetes means for you when you’re pregnant

The chances are that you will have a healthy pregnancy and baby, especially if you can keep your glucose levels within target range most of the time.

However, if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may be at more risk of having:

• a large baby (macrosomia), which may mean a higher risk of a having a difficult birth, induced labour or caesarean section
• pre-eclampsia
• premature birth (giving birth before 37 weeks) 
• stillbirth
• miscarriage.

You may find it harder to tell when your glucose level is getting low (known as hypoglycaemia or having a hypo) when you are pregnant. Being sick or feeling sick during pregnancy can affect your glucose levels and can be more of a problem if you are taking insulin.

People with diabetes can develop diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), especially if they have type 1 diabetes. This is where insulin levels are too low and harmful chemicals called ketones build up in the blood. Make sure you talk to your GP or diabetes nurse about how to manage high glucose levels. Find out more about diabetic ketoacidosis.  

Pregnancy can also increase your risk of eye or kidney problems, or make these worse if you have these problems to start with.  

What diabetes means for your baby

Having diabetes does not mean that your baby will be born with diabetes.  

If you have diabetes, there is a higher risk of your baby:  

• not growing properly (fetal growth restriction) or being larger than normal (macrosomia)
• having health problems after the birth and needing hospital care
• developing obesity or diabetes in later life 
• being stillborn or dying soon after birth (neonatal death)

This can be very hard to read. But again, most people with diabetes will have a healthy baby if their diabetes is well controlled.

You will have extra care throughout your pregnancy and labour to check that you and your baby are healthy.

'Having the risks explained to me was my motivator to getting my blood sugars perfect.'  

Zoe

Retinopathy and nephropathy and pregnancy

People with diabetes are at risk of problems with their eyes (diabetic retinopathy) and kidneys (diabetic nephropathy). Ideally, if you have diabetes, you will have eye checks and kidney checks before you start trying to have a baby.

You’ll be offered an eye exam at your booking appointment (unless you have had one in the last 3 months), and again at 28 weeks. If you are diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy at your first visit, you’ll have a second test at 16-20 weeks. You may be referred to an eye specialist.

Having diabetic retinopathy shouldn't affect your treatment during pregnancy. It should not prevent you having a vaginal birth, either.

You’ll also be offered a kidney test at your booking appointment (unless you have had one in the last 3 months). If a kidney test shows that you have diabetic nephropathy, this may affect your blood pressure, which can lead to pre-eclampsia. You should be offered treatment and you may be referred to a kidney specialist to help manage this.  

You may need extra scans and more detailed checks on your baby's growth and development if you have circulatory or kidney problems.

Reducing the risks of diabetes complications in pregnancy

If you have diabetes, you will likely be used to managing your glucose levels. But pregnancy will mean that you will need to spend more time and effort doing this.  

The best thing you can do is to make managing your diabetes one of your top priorities. We know this may be a challenge, but your healthcare team will be there to help and support you throughout your pregnancy.  You will be offered extra antenatal care appointments and telephone and email contact.  

Your mental health

Some people take pregnancy with a long-term condition in their stride, while others may find it stressful. No matter how you feel, it really is natural. Talk to your midwife if you are feeling worried or anxious. They will be able to reassure you, or signpost you to more help and support if you need it.  

You can also call speak to our midwives on our pregnancy line on 0800 014 7800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or email us at [email protected].

Find out more about your emotional health.