Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Diabetes Does Not Rule Out Healthy Pregnancy, Doctors Say
Having diabetes does not mean a woman cannot become a mother.
Pregnancy may need more planning and checkups when a woman has diabetes.
Doctors recommend speaking with a healthcare team before trying to conceive.
They may check blood sugar, blood pressure, thyroid function and medicines.
During pregnancy, doctors watch both the mother and baby's health more closely.
High blood sugar can increase the chance of problems such as a large baby or low blood sugar after birth.
Healthy food, advised physical activity, medicines and regular appointments can help lower these risks.
Every pregnancy is different, so women should follow advice from their own doctors.
Doctors say women with diabetes can conceive and have healthy pregnancies with planning, glucose control and medical supervision.
Pre-pregnancy consultations can assess HbA1c, blood pressure, thyroid function, medications and other health concerns.
During pregnancy, doctors may closely monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, fetal growth and overall health.
Uncontrolled blood sugar can raise risks including excessive fetal growth, premature birth, low newborn blood sugar, breathing difficulties and jaundice.
Women should not change diabetes medicines independently and should seek individualized advice from their healthcare team.
- Who
- Women with diabetes, their healthcare teams, and gynecologists and diabetologists advising them.
- What
- Doctors explain that women with diabetes can have healthy pregnancies with pre-pregnancy planning, blood sugar control, medication review and regular monitoring.
- When
- Planning should begin before conception and continue throughout pregnancy and after delivery.
- Where
- The guidance comes from doctors at Zynova Shalby Hospital in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, and Apollo Spectra Hospital, Mumbai.
- Why
- Diabetes can make pregnancy more complex and uncontrolled blood sugar can increase risks for both the mother and baby, so medical supervision is important.
- Pre-pregnancy checks
- Doctors may assess HbA1c, blood pressure, thyroid function, medications and other health conditions.
- Pregnancy monitoring
- Blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, fetal growth and overall maternal and fetal health may be monitored regularly.
- Potential maternal risks
- Reported concerns include high blood pressure, preeclampsia, excessive fetal growth and premature delivery.
- Potential newborn risks
- Babies may develop low blood sugar, breathing difficulties or jaundice, particularly when maternal blood sugar is uncontrolled.
- Medication advice
- Women should discuss diabetes medicines with a doctor before conception and should not stop, start or change them independently.
- International estimate
- The International Diabetes Federation is cited as estimating that about 1 in 6 live births are affected by hyperglycemia in pregnancy, with most cases involving gestational diabetes.