Posted: 30th May, 2024
Issue 18: Diabetes and Asthma in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting journey, but it can be especially complex when you are dealing with existing health conditions. Whether it is diabetes, asthma, or other challenges, it is important to understand how to take care of yourself and your baby. Find out about the Sussex Maternal Medicine team and how they can support you.
Sussex Maternal Medicine Centre
The Sussex Maternal Medicine Service is a team working across Sussex to ensure that all women/people have access to specialist maternal medicine advice wherever they plan to give birth.
The Maternal Medicine Centre (MMC) is based in Brighton. There you will be seen jointly by a Consultant Physician and a Consultant Obstetrician who specialise in looking after women with medical conditions in pregnancy and you will be supported by maternal medicine specialist Midwife.
Asthma
IMPORTANT
See a GP, asthma nurse or specialist as soon as you know you're pregnant for advice on how to manage your asthma. Also, tell your midwife you have asthma.
Your midwife will support you throughout your pregnancy, but your GP, asthma nurse or specialist will continue to manage your asthma care.
You’re more likely to have acid reflux while pregnant, which can make your asthma worse. Acid reflux is where stomach acid travels back up towards your throat. Read more about Indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy.
Follow the links below for more information about –
- How pregnancy affects asthma
- Asthma treatments in pregnancy
- Asthma treatments and breastfeeding
- Managing your asthma during pregnancy
- Asthma and giving birth
Diabetes
Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
If you become pregnant and you have Type 1 or 2 diabetes, you should go on to have a healthy baby. But there are some possible complications you should be aware of.
- a large baby – which increases the risk of a difficult birth, having your labour induced or needing a caesarean section
- a miscarriage
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is different, this is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. Read more about gestational diabetes.
Reducing the risks
The best way to reduce the risks to you and your baby is to ensure your diabetes is well controlled before you become pregnant. So, ideally, a pregnancy should be planned.
Before you start trying for a baby, ask your GP or diabetes specialist (diabetologist) for advice. You should be referred to a diabetic pre-conception clinic for support.
Follow the links below for more information about diabetes in pregnancy –
- What it means for you
- What it means for your baby
- Reducing your risks
- Your diabetes treatment in pregnancy
- Labour and birth
It's important to continue taking any medication prescribed unless your GP/specialist specifically tells you to stop.
Please visit our Existing Health Conditions page for more information.