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Existing health conditions and pregnancy
If you have a long-term health condition, you may need to make changes to how you manage it before and during your pregnancy. Find out about managing diabetes, thyroid conditions and asthma in pregnancy.
On this page
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes, you will be taking insulin to control your blood glucose levels. It is important to have good control of your glucose levels before you become pregnant. This is to avoid unnecessary complications. Insulin is safe in pregnancy, and you should keep using it.
If possible, see your healthcare provider or diabetes specialist in the months before you plan to become pregnant. You should also take a higher dose of folic acid (5 mg daily) than women without diabetes. You will need a prescription from your healthcare provider or dietitian for this.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be taking medication to control your blood glucose levels. It is important to have good control of your glucose levels before becoming pregnant. This is to avoid unnecessary complications.
If possible, see your healthcare provider or diabetes specialist in the months before you plan to become pregnant. This is so they can make any necessary adjustments to your medication.
If you become pregnant unexpectedly, do not stop your medication. Make an appointment to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
You should also take a higher dose of folic acid (5 mg daily) than women without diabetes. You will need a prescription from your healthcare provider for this.
Aim for a healthy weight before you get pregnant, and try to keep to a healthy weight gain during your pregnancy.
Thyroid conditions
If you have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), you will need some extra care and monitoring while you are pregnant. This is important to keep you and your pēpi well.
Overactive thyroid
If you have an overactive thyroid, you have a normal chance of becoming pregnant, as long as your overactive thyroid is controlled.
It is best not to become pregnant while you are being treated for an overactive thyroid. The medicines can harm a baby's thyroid gland.
But if you get pregnant, it is important to keep taking your medicine. Your healthcare provider will arrange for you to see a specialist. They will work out what dose of medicine will control your overactive thyroid while reducing the risk to your pēpi.
You will need to have regular thyroid blood tests while you are pregnant.
Unlike other women, you will not need to take iodine supplements while pregnant because they could make your overactive thyroid worse.
You cannot have a radionuclide thyroid scan or radioiodine treatment while you are pregnant, as they are not safe for your pēpi.
Underactive thyroid
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), you will need regular blood tests when planning a pregnancy and during your pregnancy.
It is important that you have the right dose of thyroxine for both you and your pēpi. If you do not have enough thyroxine, you could have problems, such as:
- anaemia (not enough red blood cells)
- heart failure
- problems with the placenta
- bleeding after you give birth.
Most women need to take a higher dose of thyroxine while they are pregnant. Then they go back to their normal dose once their pēpi is born.
Asthma in pregnancy
Women who have asthma find pregnancy affects their asthma in different ways:
- a third of women find their asthma gets better
- a third stay the same
- a third get worse.
It is important to keep treating your asthma well while you are pregnant. This is the best way to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy pēpi.
Asthma inhalers will not harm your pēpi and are safe to use while breastfeeding.
If you stop your treatment, your asthma could get worse. It could also increase the chances of your baby having a low birth weight.
Speak to your healthcare provider when you find out you are pregnant or if you feel your asthma is getting worse. They will advise you on what to do and help you get the best treatment for your asthma.
Signs that your asthma may be getting worse include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- a persistent dry cough
- tightness in your chest.
It is very important not to smoke when you are pregnant, especially if you have asthma.
Information about managing asthma
You can find out more about monitoring your asthma and what you can do to keep it under control.
The Asthma Foundation has information and resources to help you manage your asthma. There is information specific to pregnant women at the bottom of the page.