If you have diabetes and are planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant, it is essential to receive specialised care to ensure the best outcomes for both you and your baby. Our Diabetes Preconception and Antenatal Services provide expert guidance and support to help you manage your diabetes before and during pregnancy.

Why is Preconception and Antenatal Care important?

Managing diabetes effectively before and during pregnancy reduces the risk of complications for both mother and baby. High blood sugar levels in early pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, miscarriage, and complications during delivery. Proper planning and monitoring can help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Preconception care for women with Diabetes

If you are planning to have a baby, it is important to speak to your healthcare team as early as possible. Our preconception service offers:

  • Blood Sugar Optimisation: Guidance on keeping blood sugar levels within the target range before conception.
  • Medication Review: Adjustments to diabetes and other medications to ensure they are safe for pregnancy.
  • Folic Acid Supplementation: Higher-dose folic acid (5mg daily) is recommended to reduce the risk of birth defects.
  • Lifestyle Support: Advice on diet, exercise, and weight management to prepare for a healthy pregnancy.
  • Risk Assessment: Identifying and managing potential complications related to diabetes.
  • Contraception Advice: Information on safe contraception until blood sugar levels are well-controlled for pregnancy.

Antenatal care for women with Diabetes

Once you are pregnant, our specialist Diabetes Antenatal Service will provide continuous support throughout your pregnancy, including:

  • Frequent Monitoring of Blood Sugar Levels: To reduce the risk of complications and ensure stable glucose control.
  • Regular Antenatal Appointments: With a team of diabetes specialists, obstetricians, midwives, and dietitians to provide tailored care.
  • Ultrasound Scans: To monitor fetal growth and detect any potential complications.
  • Medication and Insulin Adjustments: As pregnancy hormones affect blood sugar levels, your treatment plan will be adjusted accordingly.
  • Dietary and Lifestyle Advice: To help manage weight gain and maintain a healthy pregnancy.
  • Blood Pressure and Kidney Function Monitoring: To reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and other complications.
  • Planning for Labour and Delivery: Discussions on birth options and preparing for a safe delivery.

Gestational Diabetes support

If you develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, our antenatal service will provide:

  • Blood sugar monitoring support to keep levels within the recommended range.
  • Dietary and exercise advice to help manage glucose levels.
  • Medication or insulin therapy if needed to control blood sugar.
  • Regular check-ups and fetal monitoring to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery.

Postnatal care and follow-Up

After delivery, we continue to provide support to help you and your baby stay healthy:

  • Blood Sugar Monitoring After Birth: To ensure levels return to normal and assess the need for ongoing treatment.
  • Newborn Care: Monitoring your baby for any effects of diabetes, including blood sugar checks.
  • Breastfeeding Support: Guidance on feeding your baby while managing blood sugar levels.
  • Diabetes Screening for Mothers with Gestational Diabetes: A postnatal glucose test to check for diabetes after pregnancy.
  • Long-Term Diabetes Prevention Advice: Helping mothers with gestational diabetes reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

How to access our services

You can be referred to our Diabetes Preconception and Antenatal Service through:

  • Your GP or diabetes team if you are planning a pregnancy.
  • Your midwife or obstetrician if you are already pregnant.
  • Specialist diabetes clinics if you need additional support during pregnancy.