Diabetes: preconception and antenatal care

What we do

We provide care before and during pregnancy if you have diabetes. We also provide follow-up care after the birth as needed.

We can also arrange peer support if you think you would benefit from sharing experiences with others affected by diabetes in pregnancy.

Preconception care clinic

We see people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who want to get pregnant and intend to give birth at King’s College Hospital.

If possible, please ask your GP to refer you to us about 9 to 15 months before you are planning to get pregnant. This is because we need time to help you prepare for pregnancy – usually about 6 to 12 months before you plan to get pregnant.

Please see the Self-management resources section of our Diabetes page. It includes useful pre-pregnancy information to help you prepare.

Antenatal care clinic

We see pregnant women and birthing people living in south London who have diabetes. This may be diabetes you had before becoming pregnant, or gestational diabetes.

Your first appointment with us is usually the longest. This is because you will see a diabetes consultant, a diabetes dietitian, and often a diabetes technician (an expert in diabetes technology such as sensors) and a diabetes nurse.

You will also have a separate introductory appointment with a midwife. This is called a first midwife appointment, and is also known as a booking appointment.

After this, your diabetes and midwife appointments are usually scheduled together for the same days in the same clinic. This means you do not need to attend on different days to see different specialists.

We work closely with the Maternity team to provide you with the care you need. The Maternity section has more information in diabetes in pregnancy services.

Diabetes technology in pregnancy

Please see the Self-management resources section of our Diabetes page. It includes useful information about managing diabetes in pregnancy and getting the most from your diabetes technology (insulin pump/sensor).

If you have type 1 diabetes

• You will be offered a continuous glucose monitoring sensor during your pregnancy and for 3 months after you give birth.
• Usually we will discuss using an insulin pump with you. Ideally you would start using the pump before you conceive. We will be in regular contact to help you with new diabetes technology.

If you have type 2 diabetes

You will be offered an intermittent glucose sensor during your pregnancy and for 3 months after you give birth.

Location

Ground Floor, Venetian Building, King’s College Hospital, Caldecot Road, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 020 3299 1353