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Shared experience

Pregnant with type 1 diabetes: My journey and top tips

Pregnancy is a big journey for anyone but adding type 1 diabetes into the mix brings so many extra things to think about. Manisha Vadgama shares what she has learned on her own pregnancy journey so far, from getting the tech right to making sure she has the right people around her.
Content last reviewed and updated: 25.03.2025

Manisha Vadgama standing beside a wall and smiling

When I found out I was pregnant, my first thought wasn’t just the usual ‘oh my goodness, I’m having a baby!’ Like many type 1 diabetics, my mind immediately jumped to ‘how am I going to manage my diabetes through this?’

I’m now four months along. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, and having type 1 diabetes definitely does add another layer of complexity to pregnancy. But we’re incredibly lucky to have access to amazing technology and support that previous generations didn’t have.

Get your diabetes team involved straight away

Finding out you’re pregnant when you have type 1 can feel overwhelming, but my diabetes team has been incredible from day one. They’ve put extra support in place, including appointments every three weeks and an early scan at eight weeks. Having their expertise has made such a difference to my confidence.

Don’t stress if your sugars are out of control due to your hormones

One thing that really caught me off guard was how pregnancy hormones affect blood sugar levels. They can change hour by hour, let alone day by day! I’ve had to learn to be kind to myself when I see unexpected highs or lows. But I try to remember that these fluctuations are normal, even if they’re frustrating.

Get precise with your carb counting

Gone are the days of guesstimating! I’ve become really strict about weighing my food and counting carbs. I have the same breakfast every day (it’s one less thing to think about), and I always weigh my dinner portions. For eating out, the Carbs and Cals app has been a lifesaver, especially for restaurant meals.

Take those extra vitamins

While the standard pregnancy vitamins are important, my diabetes team recommended additional supplements. It’s worth having this conversation with your team to make sure you’re getting everything you need.

Connect with other type 1 mums

Having people who truly understand what you’re going through is priceless. My diabestie Julie gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last year, and speaking to her has been a massive help. The diabetes community has been incredibly supportive, especially other mums who’ve been through pregnancy with type 1.

Be realistic about exercise

Before pregnancy, I was quite active with PT sessions twice a week and regular swimming. The reality now… my energy levels had other plans. Between managing blood sugars and pregnancy fatigue, I’ve had to adjust my expectations. And that’s perfectly okay.

Stay open-minded about your tech

Technology choices can make a big difference. I switched from my Omnipod Hybrid Loop to a YpsoPump, which wasn’t an easy decision – especially going from wireless to wired. But it’s given me better control over my target glucose levels, which is exactly what I need right now.

The most important thing I’ve learned? Yes, being pregnant with type 1 diabetes comes with extra challenges and anxiety. But I keep reminding myself that I’m not the first person to do this. Women have managed pregnancy with type 1 for decades, often without the technology we have today.

In fact, there’s never been a better time to be pregnant with type 1 diabetes.

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