Ongoing diabetes: postnatal advice

Controlling your diabetes is important for your safety and your baby’s.

Control your diabetes

After giving birth, you are at a higher risk of low blood sugar (hypos), especially when breast-feeding.

To manage this risk, make sure to have a meal or snack available before or during feeds.

This can help maintain your blood sugars and support your well-being during the postnatal period.

Avoid putting your baby at risk

If you are on insulin and experience low blood sugar without a warning, consider the following safety measures.

Take extra care when you are alone with your baby.

• Dress and change your baby on the floor to reduce the risk of falling.
• Sponge your baby down on a changing mat on the floor. This is safer than bathing them in water.
• Wait until another adult is present before giving your baby a bath.
• To avoid your baby falling or getting trapped down the side of an armchair, feed your baby while sitting on the floor, surrounded by cushions and leaning against the wall.
• Carry your baby in a padded carrycot or sling instead of holding them in your arms. This can provide extra protection if you fall.

Future pregnancy

We advise you to use reliable contraception so you can avoid an unplanned pregnancy. This is important for your safety and your baby’s safety.

If you are going to try for another baby, discuss this with your diabetes specialist team before you get pregnant. They can make sure you receive guidance and support to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy.

Pre-planning your pregnancy

If you are planning another baby, it is important to keep your blood glucose levels within the recommended range before and during pregnancy.

This helps lower the risk of miscarriage, birth defects, stillbirths and newborn deaths.

Folic acid

Folic acid (vitamin B9) helps a baby’s spine develop and reduces the risk of defects such as spina bifida.

We advise you to start taking folic acid (5 mg a day). Begin taking it 12 weeks before you start trying to get pregnant.

Keep taking it until you reach 12 weeks into your pregnancy.

Your midwife or GP can give you a prescription for folic acid.

Aspirin

Women with diabetes are more likely to develop pre-eclampsia. Taking aspirin can lower the chances of this happening in your next pregnancy.

We advise you to start taking aspirin (75 to 150g) every night.  Do this from 12 weeks into your pregnancy and keep taking it until 36 weeks.

Do this unless there are reasons why it is not suitable for you (for example bleeding or allergies).

Your midwife or GP can give you a prescription for aspirin.