Type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy and your emotional health

You may need extra support with your emotional wellbeing as you go through pregnancy with type 1 or 2 diabetes.

On this page

Your emotional health

Be kind to yourself

Ask for help if you need it

Getting help from family and friends

Share your thoughts and fears

Your emotional health

Pregnancy can be an emotional time, whether you have health issues or not. It’s natural to feel anxious if your pregnancy is more complicated.

Extra stress can affect your mental wellbeing, but it can also make diabetes symptoms worse. For example, stress can contribute to high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia).

Do your best to take care of your mental health as well your physical health. If you’re finding things really tough, contact your GP or midwife for support with your mental health.

It may help to bear in mind that most women and birthing people who have diabetes will have healthy pregnancies and babies if their condition is managed.

You’ll also have extra care and support throughout your pregnancy and labour. This is to help manage your glucose levels and reduce the risks for you and your baby.

Be kind to yourself

Try to be kind to yourself. You have a lot to contend with right now. Look for ways to relax, and accept any help from your loved ones.

You may also find it helpful to chat to other parents-to-be, perhaps during antenatal classes. Your health professional may also be able to tell you about antenatal groups that are just for women and birthing people with diabetes.

You can also talk to people online. Diabetes UK's Support Forum is an online place where you can exchange knowledge and experiences with other people with diabetes, their families and caregivers.

'In my second pregnancy, I went to a special diabetes antenatal group run by my hospital. It was nice to be with other people in the same situation.'  
Sara

Ask for help if you need it

If you are feeling very low, anxious or stressed, don’t be shy about asking for help.

Talk to your midwife or GP about how you feel. They can help you find ways to look after your emotional health, such as getting extra help and treatment if you need it.

You won’t ever be judged for how you feel. Coping with your symptoms and changing lifestyle, as well as daily life, can just become too much at times.  

Up to 1 in 5 women and birthing people develop mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth. Low mood, anxiety and depression are common. You are not alone if you need some extra support. 

Getting help from family and friends

If you have a partner or close friends and family, try to involve them. Explain how diabetes affects your pregnancy and vice versa. For example, you may find it harder to tell when your blood sugar level is getting low (hypoglycaemia, or ‘having a hypo’) while you’re pregnant.  

It may help you feel safer and more relaxed if you tell them about things like hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia. Let them know how they can spot the signs, and who they should contact if you need help.

It may also help to bring someone with you to appointments, who can listen and take notes. Your partner, a family member or a friend may be able to support you. They can  perhaps even speak for you if you are finding it hard to get your point across.  

Share your thoughts and fears

Pregnancy is a good time to share what you are going through with the people close to you. You may not have talked much about your diabetes before, but the extra appointments, tests and efforts to manage your sugar levels may take their toll. Talking it through with someone really can help.  

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

We have a lot of tips for how to look after your mental wellbeing during pregnancy.