Diabetes in Pregnancy
Why it is a priority
For women who are pregnant, any form of diabetes can affect childbirth outcomes including potentially severe health effects on both the baby and the mother. The anticipated experience of pregnancy and birth can change too.
Many women go on to have healthy babies and accept the extra monitoring, medication and necessary lifestyle changes, as they understand the importance of this in pregnancy. However, the latest National Pregnancy in Diabetes (NPID) Audit was published in October 2019 and showed there were still major differences in outcomes for women affected by diabetes, compared to women without diabetes.
Specifics from the NPID summary:
Over half of women included in this audit in England and Wales for 2018 have Type 2 diabetes which is an increase; the comment is that more women may access diabetes care via general practice where pregnancy planning may not be uppermost.
Continuous glucose monitoring in pregnancy for women with Type 1 diabetes helps to improve neonatal outcomes – there is wide variation in the availability of this technology.
The vast majority of women with diabetes went through their pregnancy and childbirth safely without serious complications - for more information on what you can do to lower the risk even before trying for a baby please visit: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/pregnancy
For health professionals – please see the links below to ensure your practice is up to date and helpful to local people.
Our work
The Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Network continues to work with providers and commissioners to share good practice and improve care for women with diabetes across Yorkshire and the Humber. If you would like to join the Diabetes in Pregnancy mailing list, please let us know england.yhdiabetescn@nhs.net
Links and Documents
Diabetes UK advice on diabetes and pregnancy (includes advice on gestational diabetes)
Gestational diabetes interactive website
National Pregnancy in Diabetes Audit Report 2018
NICE pathway guidance on diabetes in pregnancy (regularly updated)
Resources for diabetes and pregnancy compiled by Diabetes UK, includes links to e-learning as well as printable leaflets for women with diabetes
Tommy’s pregnancy planning website gives a personalised report on planning for pregnancy encompassing all common factors that can make a pregnancy safer