Diabetes in pregnancy:

management from
preconception to the
postnatal period

NICE guideline
Published: 25 February 2015
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng3

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rights). Last updated 26 August 2015
Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Your responsibility
The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful
consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and
practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs,
preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to
apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make
decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their
families and carers or guardian.

Local commissioners and providers of healthcare have a responsibility to enable the guideline to be
applied when individual professionals and people using services wish to use it. They should do so in
the context of local and national priorities for funding and developing services, and in light of their
duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of
opportunity and to reduce health inequalities. Nothing in this guideline should be interpreted in a
way that would be inconsistent with complying with those duties.

Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable

health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing
NICE recommendations wherever possible.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Contents
Overview ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Who is it for? ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Reasons for this update ................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Medicines ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Key priorities for implementation ................................................................................................................................ 8

Preconception planning and care .............................................................................................................................................. 8

Gestational diabetes ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Antenatal care for women with diabetes ............................................................................................................................... 8

Intrapartum care .............................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Postnatal care .................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

1 Recommendations ..........................................................................................................................................................12

Blood glucose and plasma glucose ............................................................................................................................................ 12

1.1 Preconception planning and care ....................................................................................................................................... 12

1.2 Gestational diabetes ............................................................................................................................................................... 18

1.3 Antenatal care for women with diabetes ........................................................................................................................ 21

1.4 Intrapartum care ....................................................................................................................................................................... 29

1.5 Neonatal care ............................................................................................................................................................................. 30

1.6 Postnatal care ............................................................................................................................................................................ 32

2 Research recommendations .......................................................................................................................................37

2.1 Preconception care for women with diabetes: insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose
monitoring .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 37

2.2 Testing for gestational diabetes .......................................................................................................................................... 37

2.3 Barriers to achieving blood glucose targets before and during pregnancy....................................................... 38

2.4 Risk of fetal death for women with diabetes ................................................................................................................. 38

2.5 Postnatal treatment for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes ............................................................... 39

Finding more information and resources ..................................................................................................................40

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Update information ............................................................................................................................................................41

About this guideline ........................................................................................................................................................................ 41

Strength of recommendations .................................................................................................................................................... 55

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

This guideline replaces CG63.

This guideline is the basis of QS109.

Overview
This guideline covers managing diabetes and its complications in women who are planning
pregnancy or are already pregnant. It aims to improve the diagnosis of gestational diabetes and
help women with diabetes to self-manage their blood glucose levels before and during pregnancy.

In August 2015, changes were made to recommendations 1.1.17, 1.1.29, 1.1.34 and 1.3.28 for
consistency with other NICE guidelines.

Who is it for?
• Healthcare professionals

• Commissioners and providers

• Women with diabetes who are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant and women at risk of, or
diagnosed with, gestational diabetes

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Introduction
This guideline updates and replaces 'Diabetes in pregnancy' (NICE guideline CG63). The
recommendations are labelled according to when they were originally published (see about this
guideline for details).

Approximately 700,000 women give birth in England and Wales each year, and up to 5% of these
women have either pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes. Of women who have diabetes
during pregnancy, it is estimated that approximately 87.5% have gestational diabetes (which may
or may not resolve after pregnancy), 7.5% have type 1 diabetes and the remaining 5% have type 2
diabetes. The prevalence of type 1 diabetes, and especially type 2 diabetes, has increased in recent
years. The incidence of gestational diabetes is also increasing as a result of higher rates of obesity in
the general population and more pregnancies in older women.

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with risks to the woman and to the developing fetus.
Miscarriage, pre-eclampsia and preterm labour are more common in women with pre-existing
diabetes. In addition, diabetic retinopathy can worsen rapidly during pregnancy. Stillbirth,
congenital malformations, macrosomia, birth injury, perinatal mortality and postnatal adaptation
problems (such as hypoglycaemia) are more common in babies born to women with pre-existing
diabetes.

This guideline contains recommendations for managing diabetes and its complications in women
who are planning pregnancy and those who are already pregnant. The guideline focuses on areas
where additional or different care should be offered to women with diabetes and their newborn
babies. Where the evidence supports it, the guideline makes separate recommendations for women
with pre-existing diabetes and women with gestational diabetes. The term 'women' is used in the
guideline to refer to all females of childbearing age, including young women who have not yet
transferred from paediatric to adult services.

Reasons for this update

Several developments have occurred since publication of the original Diabetes in pregnancy
guideline in 2008 that have prompted this update.

New studies on diagnosing and treating gestational diabetes have been published. The landmark
HAPO (Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes) study resulted in consensus guidance

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

on the definition of gestational diabetes that has been adopted by the World Health Organization
and which would result in many more women being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This has
been the subject of wide debate, and a cost–benefit analysis of the new guidance was a priority for
this guideline update.

Other topics that have been reviewed include using newer technologies for monitoring blood
glucose (for example, continuous glucose monitoring) and blood ketones, the role of HbA1c
(glycated haemoglobin) levels in diagnosing diabetes in pregnant women and managing their
diabetes, the role of specialist (multidisciplinary) teams, blood glucose targets before and during
pregnancy, and the timing and best test for diagnosing continuing glucose intolerance in women
after the birth.

Medicines
The guideline will assume that prescribers will use a medicine's summary of product characteristics
to inform decisions made with individual patients.

This guideline recommends some medicines for indications for which they do not have a UK
marketing authorisation at the date of publication, if there is good evidence to support that use.
The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the
decision. The patient (or those with authority to give consent on their behalf) should provide
informed consent, which should be documented. See the General Medical Council's Good practice
in prescribing and managing medicines and devices for further information. Where
recommendations have been made for the use of medicines outside their licensed indications
('off-label use'), these medicines are marked with a footnote in the recommendations.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Key priorities for implementation

The following recommendations have been identified as priorities for implementation. The full list
of recommendations is in section 1.

Preconception planning and care

• Advise women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant to aim for the same
capillary plasma glucose target ranges as recommended for all people with type 1 diabetes:

－ a fasting plasma glucose level of 5–7 mmol/litre on waking and

－ a plasma glucose level of 4–7 mmol/litre before meals at other times of the day.

For more information, see the section on blood glucose targets in the NICE guideline on type 1
diabetes. [new 2015]

Gestational diabetes
• Diagnose gestational diabetes if the woman has either:

－ a fasting plasma glucose level of 5.6 mmol/litre or above or

－ a 2-hour plasma glucose level of 7.8 mmol/litre or above. [new 2015]

Antenatal care for women with diabetes

• Advise pregnant women with any form of diabetes to maintain their capillary plasma glucose
below the following target levels, if these are achievable without causing problematic
hypoglycaemia:

－ fasting: 5.3 mmol/litre

and

－ 1 hour after meals: 7.8 mmol/litre or

－ 2 hours after meals: 6.4 mmol/litre. [new 2015]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

• Test urgently for ketonaemia if a pregnant woman with any form of diabetes presents with
hyperglycaemia or is unwell, to exclude diabetic ketoacidosis. [new 2015]

• At antenatal appointments, provide care specifically for women with diabetes, in addition to
the care provided routinely for healthy pregnant women (see the NICE guideline on antenatal
care). Table 1 describes how care for women with diabetes differs from routine antenatal care.
At each appointment, offer the woman ongoing opportunities for information and education.
[2008, amended 2015]

Table 1 Timetable of antenatal appointments

Appointment Care for women with diabetes during pregnancy*

Booking Discuss information, education and advice about how diabetes will affect
appointment the pregnancy, birth and early parenting (such as breastfeeding and initial
(joint diabetes and care of the baby).
antenatal care) – If the woman has been attending for preconception care and advice,
ideally by continue to provide information, education and advice in relation to
10 weeks achieving optimal blood glucose control (including dietary advice).
If the woman has not attended for preconception care and advice, give
information, education and advice for the first time, take a clinical history to
establish the extent of diabetes-related complications (including
neuropathy and vascular disease), and review medicines for diabetes and its
complications.
Offer retinal assessment for women with pre-existing diabetes unless the
woman has been assessed in the last 3 months.
Offer renal assessment for women with pre-existing diabetes if this has not
been performed in the last 3 months.
Arrange contact with the joint diabetes and antenatal clinic every
1–2 weeks throughout pregnancy for all women with diabetes.
Measure HbA1c levels for women with pre-existing diabetes to determine
the level of risk for the pregnancy.
Offer self-monitoring of blood glucose or a 75 g 2-hour OGTT as soon as
possible for women with a history of gestational diabetes who book in the
first trimester.
Confirm viability of pregnancy and gestational age at 7–9 weeks.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

16 weeks Offer retinal assessment at 16–20 weeks to women with pre-existing

diabetes if diabetic retinopathy was present at their first antenatal clinic
visit.
Offer self-monitoring of blood glucose or a 75 g 2-hour OGTT as soon as
possible for women with a history of gestational diabetes who book in the
second trimester.

20 weeks Offer an ultrasound scan for detecting fetal structural abnormalities,

including examination of the fetal heart (4 chambers, outflow tracts and
3 vessels).

28 weeks Offer ultrasound monitoring of fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume.
Offer retinal assessment to all women with pre-existing diabetes.
Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes as a result of routine antenatal
testing at 24–28 weeks enter the care pathway.

32 weeks Offer ultrasound monitoring of fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume.
Offer nulliparous women all routine investigations normally scheduled for
31 weeks in routine antenatal care.

34 weeks No additional or different care for women with diabetes.

36 weeks Offer ultrasound monitoring of fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume.
Provide information and advice about:

• timing, mode and management of birth

• analgesia and anaesthesia

• changes to blood glucose-lowering therapy during and after birth

• care of the baby after birth

• initiation of breastfeeding and the effect of breastfeeding on blood

glucose control

• contraception and follow-up.

37+0 weeks to Offer induction of labour, or caesarean section if indicated, to women with
38+6 weeks type 1 or type 2 diabetes; otherwise await spontaneous labour.

38 weeks Offer tests of fetal wellbeing.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

39 weeks Offer tests of fetal wellbeing.

Advise women with uncomplicated gestational diabetes to give birth no
later than 40+6 weeks.

* Women with diabetes should also receive routine care according to the schedule of
appointments in the NICE guideline on antenatal care, including appointments at 25 weeks (for
nulliparous women) and 34 weeks, but with the exception of the appointment for nulliparous
women at 31 weeks.
OGTT = oral glucose tolerance test.

Intrapartum care
• Advise pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and no other complications to have an
elective birth by induction of labour, or by elective caesarean section if indicated, between
37+0 weeks and 38+6 weeks of pregnancy. [new 2015]

• Advise women with gestational diabetes to give birth no later than 40+6 weeks, and offer
elective birth (by induction of labour, or by caesarean section if indicated) to women who have
not given birth by this time. [new 2015]

Postnatal care
• For women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes and whose blood glucose levels
returned to normal after the birth:

－ Offer lifestyle advice (including weight control, diet and exercise).

－ Offer a fasting plasma glucose test 6–13 weeks after the birth to exclude diabetes (for
practical reasons this might take place at the 6-week postnatal check).

－ If a fasting plasma glucose test has not been performed by 13 weeks, offer a fasting plasma
glucose test, or an HbA1c test if a fasting plasma glucose test is not possible, after
13 weeks.

－ Do not routinely offer a 75 g 2-hour OGTT. [new 2015]

• Offer an annual HbA1c test to women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes who
have a negative postnatal test for diabetes. [new 2015]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

1 Recommendations
The following guidance is based on the best available evidence. The full guideline gives details of
the methods and the evidence used to develop the guidance.

People have the right to be involved in discussions and make informed decisions about their
care, as described in your care.
Making decisions using NICE guidelines explains how we use words to show the strength (or
certainty) of our recommendations, and has information about professional guidelines,
standards and laws (including on consent and mental capacity), and safeguarding.

Blood glucose and plasma glucose

This guideline refers frequently to circulating glucose concentrations as 'blood glucose'. A lot of the
evidence linking specific circulating glucose concentrations with particular outcomes uses 'plasma'
rather than 'blood' glucose. In addition, patient-held glucose meters (which use capillary blood
samples) and monitoring systems are all calibrated to plasma glucose equivalents. However, the
term 'blood glucose monitoring' is in very common use, so in this guideline we use the term 'blood
glucose', except when referring to concentration values.

1.1 Preconception planning and care

Information about outcomes and risks for mother and baby
1.1.1 Aim to empower women with diabetes to have a positive experience of
pregnancy and childbirth by providing information, advice and support that will
help to reduce the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes for mother and baby.
[2008]

1.1.2 Explain to women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant that
establishing good blood glucose control before conception and continuing this
throughout pregnancy will reduce the risk of miscarriage, congenital
malformation, stillbirth and neonatal death. It is important to explain that risks
can be reduced but not eliminated. [2008]

1.1.3 Give women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant, and their

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

family members, information about how diabetes affects pregnancy and how
pregnancy affects diabetes. The information should cover:

• the role of diet, body weight and exercise

• the risks of hypoglycaemia and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia during

pregnancy

• how nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can affect blood glucose control

• the increased risk of having a baby who is large for gestational age, which increases the
likelihood of birth trauma, induction of labour and caesarean section

• the need for assessment of diabetic retinopathy before and during pregnancy

• the need for assessment of diabetic nephropathy before pregnancy

• the importance of maternal blood glucose control during labour and birth and early
feeding of the baby, in order to reduce the risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia

• the possibility of temporary health problems in the baby during the neonatal period,
which may require admission to the neonatal unit

• the risk of the baby developing obesity and/or diabetes in later life. [2008]

The importance of planning pregnancy and the role of

contraception
1.1.4 Ensure that the importance of avoiding an unplanned pregnancy is an essential
component of diabetes education from adolescence for women with diabetes.
[2008, amended 2015]

1.1.5 Explain to women with diabetes that their choice of contraception should be
based on their own preferences and any risk factors (as indicated by UK medical
eligibility criteria for contraceptive use [UKMEC] 2009 [revised 2010]. [new
2015]

1.1.6 Advise women with diabetes that they can use oral contraceptives (if there are
no standard contraindications to their use). [new 2015]

1.1.7 Advise women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant:

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

• that the risks associated with pregnancy in women with diabetes increase with how
long the woman has had diabetes

• to use contraception until good blood glucose control (assessed by HbA1c level[ ] – see1

recommendation 1.1.18) has been established

• that blood glucose targets, glucose monitoring, medicines for treating diabetes
(including insulin regimens for insulin-treated diabetes) and medicines for
complications of diabetes will need to be reviewed before and during pregnancy

• that extra time and effort is needed to manage diabetes during pregnancy and that she
will have frequent contact with healthcare professionals. [2015]

1.1.8 Give women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant information
about the local arrangements for support during pregnancy, including
emergency contact numbers. [2015]

Diet, dietary supplements and body weight

1.1.9 Offer women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant
individualised dietary advice. [2008]

1.1.10 Offer women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant and who have
a BMI above 27 kg/m2 advice on how to lose weight, in line with the NICE
guideline on obesity: identification, assessment and management of overweight
and obesity in children, young people and adults[ ]. [2008]2

1.1.11 Advise women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant to take folic
acid (5 mg/day) until 12 weeks of gestation to reduce the risk of having a baby
with a neural tube defect. [2008]

Monitoring blood glucose and ketones in the preconception

period
1.1.12 Offer women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant monthly
measurement of their HbA1c level[ ]. [2008]1

1.1.13 Offer women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant a meter for
self-monitoring of blood glucose. [2008]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

1.1.14 If a woman with diabetes who is planning to become pregnant needs

intensification of blood glucose-lowering therapy, advise her to increase the
frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose to include fasting levels and a
mixture of pre-meal and post-meal levels. [2008]

1.1.15 Offer women with type 1 diabetes who are planning to become pregnant blood
ketone testing strips and a meter, and advise them to test for ketonaemia if they
become hyperglycaemic or unwell. [new 2015]

Target blood glucose and HbA1c levels in the preconception

period
1.1.16 Agree individualised targets for self-monitoring of blood glucose with women
who have diabetes and are planning to become pregnant, taking into account
the risk of hypoglycaemia. [2008]

1.1.17 Advise women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant to aim for
the same capillary plasma glucose target ranges as recommended for all people
with type 1 diabetes:

• a fasting plasma glucose level of 5–7 mmol/litre on waking and

• a plasma glucose level of 4–7 mmol/litre before meals at other times of the day.

For more information, see the section on blood glucose targets in the NICE guideline on type 1
diabetes. [new 2015]

1.1.18 Advise women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant to aim to
keep their HbA1c level[ ] below 48 mmol/mol (6.5%), if this is achievable without
1

causing problematic hypoglycaemia. [new 2015]

1.1.19 Reassure women that any reduction in HbA1c level towards the target of
48 mmol/mol (6.5%) is likely to reduce the risk of congenital malformations in
the baby. [new 2015]

1.1.20 Strongly advise women with diabetes whose HbA1c level is above 86 mmol/mol
(10%) not to get pregnant because of the associated risks (see recommendation
1.1.2). [2015]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Safety of medicines for diabetes before and during pregnancy

1.1.21 Women with diabetes may be advised to use metformin[ ] as an adjunct or
3

alternative to insulin in the preconception period and during pregnancy, when

the likely benefits from improved blood glucose control outweigh the potential
for harm. All other oral blood glucose-lowering agents should be discontinued
before pregnancy and insulin substituted. [2008]

1.1.22 Be aware that data from clinical trials and other sources do not suggest that the
rapid-acting insulin analogues (aspart and lispro) adversely affect the pregnancy
or the health of the fetus or newborn baby. [2008]

1.1.23 Use isophane insulin (also known as NPH insulin) as the first choice for
long-acting insulin during pregnancy. Consider continuing treatment with
long-acting insulin analogues (insulin detemir or insulin glargine) in women with
diabetes who have established good blood glucose control before pregnancy[ ]. 4

[2008, amended 2015]

Safety of medicines for complications of diabetes before and

during pregnancy
1.1.24 Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor
antagonists should be discontinued before conception or as soon as pregnancy
is confirmed. Alternative antihypertensive agents suitable for use during
pregnancy should be substituted. [2008]

1.1.25 Statins should be discontinued before pregnancy or as soon as pregnancy is

confirmed. [2008]

Removing barriers to the uptake of preconception care and when

to offer information
1.1.26 Explain to women with diabetes about the benefits of preconception blood
glucose control at each contact with healthcare professionals, including their
diabetes care team, from adolescence. [2008]

1.1.27 Document the intentions of women with diabetes regarding pregnancy and
contraceptive use at each contact with their diabetes care team from

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

adolescence. [2008]

1.1.28 Ensure that preconception care for women with diabetes is given in a
supportive environment, and encourage the woman's partner or other family
member to attend. [2008, amended 2015]

Education and advice

1.1.29 Offer women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant a structured
education programme as soon as possible if they have not already attended one
(see the education and information section in the NICE guideline on type 1
diabetes in adults, and the patient education section in the NICE guideline on
type 2 diabetes in adults). [2008]

1.1.30 Offer women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant
preconception care and advice before discontinuing contraception. [2008]

Retinal assessment in the preconception period

1.1.31 Offer retinal assessment (see recommendation 1.1.32) to women with diabetes
seeking preconception care at their first appointment (unless they have had an
annual retinal assessment in the last 6 months) and then annually if no diabetic
retinopathy is found. [2008]

1.1.32 Carry out retinal assessment by digital imaging with mydriasis using
tropicamide, in line with the UK National Screening Committee's
recommendations for annual mydriatic 2-field digital photographic screening as
part of a systematic screening programme. [2008]

1.1.33 Advise women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant to defer
rapid optimisation of blood glucose control until after retinal assessment and
treatment have been completed. [2008]

Renal assessment in the preconception period

1.1.34 Offer women with diabetes a renal assessment, including a measure of
albuminuria, before discontinuing contraception. If serum creatinine is
abnormal (120 micromol/litre or more), the urinary albumin:creatinine ratio is
greater than 30 mg/mmol or the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

less than 45 ml/minute/1.73 m2, referral to a nephrologist should be considered

before discontinuing contraception. [2008, amended 2015]

1.2 Gestational diabetes

Risk assessment, testing and diagnosis
Risk assessment
1.2.1 So that women can make an informed decision about risk assessment and
testing for gestational diabetes, explain that:

• in some women, gestational diabetes will respond to changes in diet and exercise

• the majority of women will need oral blood glucose-lowering agents or insulin therapy
if changes in diet and exercise do not control gestational diabetes effectively

• if gestational diabetes is not detected and controlled, there is a small increased risk of
serious adverse birth complications such as shoulder dystocia

• a diagnosis of gestational diabetes will lead to increased monitoring, and may lead to
increased interventions, during both pregnancy and labour. [new 2015]

1.2.2 Assess risk of gestational diabetes using risk factors in a healthy population. At
the booking appointment, determine the following risk factors for gestational
diabetes:

• BMI above 30 kg/m2

• previous macrosomic baby weighing 4.5 kg or above

• previous gestational diabetes

• family history of diabetes (first-degree relative with diabetes)

• minority ethnic family origin with a high prevalence of diabetes.

Offer women with any one of these risk factors testing for gestational diabetes (see
recommendations 1.2.5–1.2.7). [2008, amended 2015]

1.2.3 Do not use fasting plasma glucose, random blood glucose, HbA1c, glucose
challenge test or urinalysis for glucose to assess risk of developing gestational

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diabetes. [2015]

Glycosuria detected by routine antenatal testing

1.2.4 Be aware that glycosuria of 2+ or above on 1 occasion or of 1+ or above on 2 or
more occasions detected by reagent strip testing during routine antenatal care
may indicate undiagnosed gestational diabetes. If this is observed, consider
further testing to exclude gestational diabetes. [new 2015]

Testing
1.2.5 Use the 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to test for gestational
diabetes in women with risk factors (see recommendation 1.2.2). [2015]

1.2.6 Offer women who have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy:

• early self-monitoring of blood glucose or

• a 75 g 2-hour OGTT as soon as possible after booking (whether in the first or second
trimester), and a further 75 g 2-hour OGTT at 24–28 weeks if the results of the first
OGTT are normal. [new 2015]

1.2.7 Offer women with any of the other risk factors for gestational diabetes (see
recommendation 1.2.2) a 75 g 2-hour OGTT at 24–28 weeks. [2015]

Diagnosis
1.2.8 Diagnose gestational diabetes if the woman has either:

• a fasting plasma glucose level of 5.6 mmol/litre or above or

• a 2-hour plasma glucose level of 7.8 mmol/litre or above. [new 2015]

1.2.9 Offer women with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes a review with the joint
diabetes and antenatal clinic within 1 week. [new 2015]

1.2.10 Inform the primary healthcare team when a woman is diagnosed with
gestational diabetes (see also the NICE guideline on patient experience in adult
NHS services in relation to continuity of care). [new 2015]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Interventions
1.2.11 Explain to women with gestational diabetes:

• about the implications (both short and long term) of the diagnosis for her and her
baby[ ] 5

• that good blood glucose control throughout pregnancy will reduce the risk of fetal
macrosomia, trauma during birth (for her and her baby), induction of labour and/or
caesarean section, neonatal hypoglycaemia and perinatal death

• that treatment includes changes in diet and exercise, and could involve medicines.
[new 2015]

1.2.12 Teach women with gestational diabetes about self-monitoring of blood glucose.
[2015]

1.2.13 Use the same capillary plasma glucose target levels for women with gestational
diabetes as for women with pre-existing diabetes (see recommendations 1.3.5
and 1.3.6). [2015]

1.2.14 Tailor blood glucose-lowering therapy to the blood glucose profile and personal
preferences of the woman with gestational diabetes. [new 2015]

1.2.15 Offer women advice about changes in diet and exercise at the time of diagnosis
of gestational diabetes. [new 2015]

1.2.16 Advise women with gestational diabetes to eat a healthy diet during pregnancy,
and emphasise that foods with a low glycaemic index should replace those with
a high glycaemic index. [new 2015]

1.2.17 Refer all women with gestational diabetes to a dietitian. [new 2015]

1.2.18 Advise women with gestational diabetes to take regular exercise (such as
walking for 30 minutes after a meal) to improve blood glucose control. [new
2015]

1.2.19 Offer a trial of changes in diet and exercise to women with gestational diabetes
who have a fasting plasma glucose level below 7 mmol/litre at diagnosis. [new

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

2015]

1.2.20 Offer metformin[ ] to women with gestational diabetes if blood glucose targets
2

are not met using changes in diet and exercise within 1–2 weeks. [new 2015]

1.2.21 Offer insulin instead of metformin to women with gestational diabetes if

metformin is contraindicated or unacceptable to the woman. [new 2015]

1.2.22 Offer addition of insulin to the treatments of changes in diet, exercise and
metformin[ ] for women with gestational diabetes if blood glucose targets are
2

not met. [new 2015]

1.2.23 Offer immediate treatment with insulin, with or without metformin[ ], as well as 2

changes in diet and exercise, to women with gestational diabetes who have a
fasting plasma glucose level of 7.0 mmol/litre or above at diagnosis. [new 2015]

1.2.24 Consider immediate treatment with insulin, with or without metformin[ ], as well 2

as changes in diet and exercise, for women with gestational diabetes who have a
fasting plasma glucose level of between 6.0 and 6.9 mmol/litre if there are
complications such as macrosomia or hydramnios. [new 2015]
2015].

1.2.25 Consider glibenclamide[ ] for women with gestational diabetes:

6

• in whom blood glucose targets are not achieved with metformin but who decline
insulin therapy or

• who cannot tolerate metformin. [new 2015]

1.3 Antenatal care for women with diabetes

This section should be read in conjunction with the NICE guideline on antenatal care for the
healthy pregnant woman.

Monitoring blood glucose

1.3.1 Advise pregnant women with type 1 diabetes to test their fasting, pre-meal,
1-hour post-meal and bedtime blood glucose levels daily during pregnancy. [new
2015]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

1.3.2 Advise pregnant women with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes who are on
a multiple daily insulin injection regimen to test their fasting, pre-meal, 1-hour
post-meal and bedtime blood glucose levels daily during pregnancy. [new 2015]

1.3.3 Advise pregnant women with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes to test
their fasting and 1-hour post-meal blood glucose levels daily during pregnancy if
they are:

• on diet and exercise therapy or

• taking oral therapy (with or without diet and exercise therapy) or single-dose
intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin. [new 2015]

Target blood glucose levels

1.3.4 Agree individualised targets for self-monitoring of blood glucose with women
with diabetes in pregnancy, taking into account the risk of hypoglycaemia.
[2008]

1.3.5 Advise pregnant women with any form of diabetes to maintain their capillary
plasma glucose below the following target levels, if these are achievable without
causing problematic hypoglycaemia:

• fasting: 5.3 mmol/litre

and

• 1 hour after meals: 7.8 mmol/litre or

• 2 hours after meals: 6.4 mmol/litre. [new 2015]

1.3.6 Advise pregnant women with diabetes who are on insulin or glibenclamide to
maintain their capillary plasma glucose level above 4 mmol/litre. [new 2015]

Monitoring HbA1c
1.3.7 Measure HbA1c levels in all pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes at the
booking appointment to determine the level of risk for the pregnancy. [new
2015]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

1.3.8 Consider measuring HbA1c levels in the second and third trimesters of
pregnancy for women with pre-existing diabetes to assess the level of risk for
the pregnancy. [new 2015]

1.3.9 Be aware that level of risk for the pregnancy for women with pre-existing
diabetes increases with an HbA1c level above 48 mmol/mol (6.5%). [new 2015]

1.3.10 Measure HbA1c levels in all women with gestational diabetes at the time of
diagnosis to identify those who may have pre-existing type 2 diabetes. [new
2015]

1.3.11 Do not use HbA1c levels routinely to assess a woman's blood glucose control in
the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. [2008]

Managing diabetes during pregnancy

Insulin treatment and risks of hypoglycaemia
1.3.12 Be aware that the rapid-acting insulin analogues (aspart and lispro) have
advantages over soluble human insulin during pregnancy and consider their use.
[2008]

1.3.13 Advise women with insulin-treated diabetes of the risks of hypoglycaemia and
impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia in pregnancy, particularly in the first
trimester. [2008]

1.3.14 Advise pregnant women with insulin-treated diabetes to always have available a
fast-acting form of glucose (for example, dextrose tablets or glucose-containing
drinks). [2008, amended 2015]

1.3.15 Provide glucagon to pregnant women with type 1 diabetes for use if needed.
Instruct the woman and her partner or other family members in its use. [2008,
amended 2015]

1.3.16 Offer women with insulin-treated diabetes continuous subcutaneous insulin

infusion (CSII; also known as insulin pump therapy) during pregnancy if
adequate blood glucose control is not obtained by multiple daily injections of
insulin without significant disabling hypoglycaemia[ ]. [2008] 7

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Continuous glucose monitoring

1.3.17 Do not offer continuous glucose monitoring routinely to pregnant women with
diabetes. [new 2015]

1.3.18 Consider continuous glucose monitoring for pregnant women on insulin

therapy:

• who have problematic severe hypoglycaemia (with or without impaired awareness of

hypoglycaemia) or

• who have unstable blood glucose levels (to minimise variability) or

• to gain information about variability in blood glucose levels. [new 2015]

1.3.19 Ensure that support is available for pregnant women who are using continuous
glucose monitoring from a member of the joint diabetes and antenatal care
team with expertise in its use. [new 2015]

Ketone testing and diabetic ketoacidosis

1.3.20 Offer pregnant women with type 1 diabetes blood ketone testing strips and a
meter, and advise them to test for ketonaemia and to seek urgent medical
advice if they become hyperglycaemic or unwell. [new 2015]

1.3.21 Advise pregnant women with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes to seek
urgent medical advice if they become hyperglycaemic or unwell. [new 2015]

1.3.22 Test urgently for ketonaemia if a pregnant woman with any form of diabetes
presents with hyperglycaemia or is unwell, to exclude diabetic ketoacidosis.
[new 2015]

1.3.23 During pregnancy, admit immediately women who are suspected of having
diabetic ketoacidosis for level 2 critical care[ ], where they can receive both
8

medical and obstetric care. [2008]

Retinal assessment during pregnancy

1.3.24 Offer pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes retinal assessment by digital
imaging with mydriasis using tropicamide following their first antenatal clinic

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

appointment (unless they have had a retinal assessment in the last 3 months),
and again at 28 weeks. If any diabetic retinopathy is present at booking, perform
an additional retinal assessment at 16–20 weeks. [2008, amended 2015]

1.3.25 Diabetic retinopathy should not be considered a contraindication to rapid

optimisation of blood glucose control in women who present with a high HbA1c
in early pregnancy. [2008]

1.3.26 Ensure that women who have preproliferative diabetic retinopathy or any form
of referable retinopathy diagnosed during pregnancy have ophthalmological
follow-up for at least 6 months after the birth of the baby. [2008, amended
2015]

1.3.27 Diabetic retinopathy should not be considered a contraindication to vaginal

birth. [2008]

Renal assessment during pregnancy

1.3.28 If renal assessment has not been undertaken in the preceding 3 months in
women with pre-existing diabetes, arrange it at the first contact in pregnancy. If
the serum creatinine is abnormal (120 micromol/litre or more), the urinary
albumin:creatinine ratio is greater than 30 mg/mmol or total protein excretion
exceeds 0.5 g/day, referral to a nephrologist should be considered (eGFR should
not be used during pregnancy). Thromboprophylaxis should be considered for
women with nephrotic range proteinuria above 5 g/day (albumin:creatinine
ratio greater than 220 mg/mmol). [2008, amended 2015]

Preventing pre-eclampsia
1.3.29 For guidance on using antiplatelet agents to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia in
pregnant women with diabetes, see recommendation 1.1.2.1 in the NICE
guideline on hypertension in pregnancy. [new 2015]

Detecting congenital malformations

1.3.30 Offer women with diabetes an ultrasound scan for detecting fetal structural
abnormalities, including examination of the fetal heart (4 chambers, outflow
tracts and 3 vessels), at 20 weeks. [2008, amended 2015]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Monitoring fetal growth and wellbeing

1.3.31 Offer pregnant women with diabetes ultrasound monitoring of fetal growth and
amniotic fluid volume every 4 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks. [2008]

1.3.32 Routine monitoring of fetal wellbeing (using methods such as fetal umbilical
artery Doppler recording, fetal heart rate recording and biophysical profile
testing) before 38 weeks is not recommended in pregnant women with
diabetes, unless there is a risk of fetal growth restriction. [2008, amended 2015]

1.3.33 Provide an individualised approach to monitoring fetal growth and wellbeing for
women with diabetes and a risk of fetal growth restriction (macrovascular
disease and/or nephropathy). [2008, amended 2015]

Organisation of antenatal care

1.3.34 Offer immediate contact with a joint diabetes and antenatal clinic to women
with diabetes who are pregnant. [2008]

1.3.35 Ensure that women with diabetes have contact with the joint diabetes and
antenatal clinic for assessment of blood glucose control every 1–2 weeks
throughout pregnancy. [2008, amended 2015]

1.3.36 At antenatal appointments, provide care specifically for women with diabetes,
in addition to the care provided routinely for healthy pregnant women (see the
NICE guideline on antenatal care). Table 1 describes how care for women with
diabetes differs from routine antenatal care. At each appointment, offer the
woman ongoing opportunities for information and education. [2008, amended
2015]

Table 1 Timetable of antenatal appointments

Appointment Care for women with diabetes during pregnancy*

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Booking Discuss information, education and advice about how diabetes will affect
appointment the pregnancy, birth and early parenting (such as breastfeeding and initial
(joint diabetes and care of the baby).
antenatal care) – If the woman has been attending for preconception care and advice,
ideally by continue to provide information, education and advice in relation to
10 weeks achieving optimal blood glucose control (including dietary advice).
If the woman has not attended for preconception care and advice, give
information, education and advice for the first time, take a clinical history to
establish the extent of diabetes-related complications (including
neuropathy and vascular disease), and review medicines for diabetes and its
complications.
Offer retinal assessment for women with pre-existing diabetes unless the
woman has been assessed in the last 3 months.
Offer renal assessment for women with pre-existing diabetes if this has not
been performed in the last 3 months.
Arrange contact with the joint diabetes and antenatal clinic every
1–2 weeks throughout pregnancy for all women with diabetes.
Measure HbA1c levels for women with pre-existing diabetes to determine
the level of risk for the pregnancy.
Offer self-monitoring of blood glucose or a 75 g 2-hour OGTT as soon as
possible for women with a history of gestational diabetes who book in the
first trimester.
Confirm viability of pregnancy and gestational age at 7–9 weeks.

16 weeks Offer retinal assessment at 16–20 weeks to women with pre-existing

diabetes if diabetic retinopathy was present at their first antenatal clinic
visit.
Offer self-monitoring of blood glucose or a 75 g 2-hour OGTT as soon as
possible for women with a history of gestational diabetes who book in the
second trimester.

20 weeks Offer an ultrasound scan for detecting fetal structural abnormalities,

including examination of the fetal heart (4 chambers, outflow tracts and
3 vessels).

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

28 weeks Offer ultrasound monitoring of fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume.
Offer retinal assessment to all women with pre-existing diabetes.
Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes as a result of routine antenatal
testing at 24–28 weeks enter the care pathway.

32 weeks Offer ultrasound monitoring of fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume.
Offer nulliparous women all routine investigations normally scheduled for
31 weeks in routine antenatal care.

34 weeks No additional or different care for women with diabetes.

36 weeks Offer ultrasound monitoring of fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume.
Provide information and advice about:

• timing, mode and management of birth

• analgesia and anaesthesia

• changes to blood glucose-lowering therapy during and after birth

• care of the baby after birth

• initiation of breastfeeding and the effect of breastfeeding on blood

glucose control

• contraception and follow-up.

37+0 weeks to Offer induction of labour, or caesarean section if indicated, to women with
38+6 weeks type 1 or type 2 diabetes; otherwise await spontaneous labour.

38 weeks Offer tests of fetal wellbeing.

39 weeks Offer tests of fetal wellbeing.

Advise women with uncomplicated gestational diabetes to give birth no
later than 40+6 weeks.

* Women with diabetes should also receive routine care according to the schedule of
appointments in the NICE guideline on antenatal care, including appointments at 25 weeks (for
nulliparous women) and 34 weeks, but with the exception of the appointment for nulliparous
women at 31 weeks.
OGTT = oral glucose tolerance test.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Preterm labour in women with diabetes

1.3.37 Diabetes should not be considered a contraindication to antenatal steroids for
fetal lung maturation or to tocolysis. [2008]

1.3.38 In women with insulin-treated diabetes who are receiving steroids for fetal lung
maturation, give additional insulin according to an agreed protocol and monitor
them closely. [2008, amended 2015]

1.3.39 Do not use betamimetic medicines for tocolysis in women with diabetes. [2008]

1.4 Intrapartum care

Timing and mode of birth
1.4.1 Discuss the timing and mode of birth with pregnant women with diabetes during
antenatal appointments, especially during the third trimester. [new 2015]

1.4.2 Advise pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and no other
complications to have an elective birth by induction of labour, or by elective
caesarean section if indicated, between 37+0 weeks and 38+6 weeks of
pregnancy. [new 2015]

1.4.3 Consider elective birth before 37+0 weeks for women with type 1 or type 2
diabetes if there are metabolic or any other maternal or fetal complications.
[new 2015]

1.4.4 Advise women with gestational diabetes to give birth no later than 40+6 weeks,
and offer elective birth (by induction of labour, or by caesarean section if
indicated) to women who have not given birth by this time. [new 2015]

1.4.5 Consider elective birth before 40+6 weeks for women with gestational diabetes
if there are maternal or fetal complications. [new 2015]

1.4.6 Diabetes should not in itself be considered a contraindication to attempting

vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section. [2008]

1.4.7 Explain to pregnant women with diabetes who have an ultrasound-diagnosed

macrosomic fetus about the risks and benefits of vaginal birth, induction of

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

labour and caesarean section. [2008]

Anaesthesia
1.4.8 Offer women with diabetes and comorbidities such as obesity or autonomic
neuropathy an anaesthetic assessment in the third trimester of pregnancy.
[2008]

1.4.9 If general anaesthesia is used for the birth in women with diabetes, monitor
blood glucose every 30 minutes from induction of general anaesthesia until
after the baby is born and the woman is fully conscious. [2008]

Blood glucose control during labour and birth

1.4.10 Monitor capillary plasma glucose every hour during labour and birth in women
with diabetes, and ensure that it is maintained between 4 and 7 mmol/litre.
[2008, amended 2015]

1.4.11 Intravenous dextrose and insulin infusion should be considered for women with
type 1 diabetes from the onset of established labour. [2008]

1.4.12 Use intravenous dextrose and insulin infusion during labour and birth for
women with diabetes whose capillary plasma glucose is not maintained
between 4 and 7 mmol/litre. [2008, amended 2015]

1.5 Neonatal care

Initial assessment and criteria for admission to intensive or
special care
1.5.1 Advise women with diabetes to give birth in hospitals where advanced neonatal
resuscitation skills are available 24 hours a day. [2008]

1.5.2 Babies of women with diabetes should stay with their mothers unless there is a
clinical complication or there are abnormal clinical signs that warrant admission
for intensive or special care. [2008]

1.5.3 Carry out blood glucose testing routinely in babies of women with diabetes at
2–4 hours after birth. Carry out blood tests for polycythaemia,

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

hyperbilirubinaemia, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia for babies with

clinical signs. [2008]

1.5.4 Perform an echocardiogram for babies of women with diabetes if they show
clinical signs associated with congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy,
including heart murmur. The timing of the examination will depend on the
clinical circumstances. [2008]

1.5.5 Admit babies of women with diabetes to the neonatal unit if they have:

• hypoglycaemia associated with abnormal clinical signs

• respiratory distress

• signs of cardiac decompensation from congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy

• signs of neonatal encephalopathy

• signs of polycythaemia and are likely to need partial exchange transfusion

• need for intravenous fluids

• need for tube feeding (unless adequate support is available on the postnatal ward)

• jaundice requiring intense phototherapy and frequent monitoring of bilirubinaemia

• been born before 34 weeks (or between 34 and 36 weeks if dictated clinically by the
initial assessment of the baby and feeding on the labour ward). [2008]

1.5.6 Do not transfer babies of women with diabetes to community care until they are
at least 24 hours old, and not before you are satisfied that the baby is
maintaining blood glucose levels and is feeding well. [2008]

Preventing and assessing neonatal hypoglycaemia

1.5.7 All maternity units should have a written policy for the prevention, detection
and management of hypoglycaemia in babies of women with diabetes. [2008]

1.5.8 Test the blood glucose of babies of women with diabetes using a quality-assured
method validated for neonatal use (ward-based glucose electrode or laboratory
analysis). [2008]

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

1.5.9 Women with diabetes should feed their babies as soon as possible after birth
(within 30 minutes) and then at frequent intervals (every 2–3 hours) until
feeding maintains pre-feed capillary plasma glucose levels at a minimum of
2.0 mmol/litre. [2008, amended 2015]

1.5.10 If capillary plasma glucose values are below 2.0 mmol/litre on 2 consecutive
readings despite maximal support for feeding, if there are abnormal clinical
signs or if the baby will not feed orally effectively, use additional measures such
as tube feeding or intravenous dextrose. Only implement additional measures if
one or more of these criteria are met. [2008, amended 2015]

1.5.11 Test blood glucose levels in babies of women with diabetes who present with
clinical signs of hypoglycaemia, and treat those who are hypoglycaemic with
intravenous dextrose as soon as possible. [2008, amended 2015]

1.6 Postnatal care

Blood glucose control, medicines and breastfeeding
1.6.1 Women with insulin-treated pre-existing diabetes should reduce their insulin
immediately after birth and monitor their blood glucose levels carefully to
establish the appropriate dose. [2008]

1.6.2 Explain to women with insulin-treated pre-existing diabetes that they are at
increased risk of hypoglycaemia in the postnatal period, especially when
breastfeeding, and advise them to have a meal or snack available before or
during feeds. [2008]

1.6.3 Women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes should discontinue
blood glucose-lowering therapy immediately after birth. [2008]

1.6.4 Women with pre-existing type 2 diabetes who are breastfeeding can resume or
continue to take metformin[ ] and glibenclamide[ ] immediately after birth, but
2 6

should avoid other oral blood glucose-lowering agents while breastfeeding.

[2008]

1.6.5 Women with diabetes who are breastfeeding should continue to avoid any
medicines for the treatment of diabetes complications that were discontinued

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

for safety reasons in the preconception period. [2008]

Information and follow-up after birth

Women with pre-existing diabetes
1.6.6 Refer women with pre-existing diabetes back to their routine diabetes care
arrangements. [2008]

1.6.7 Remind women with diabetes of the importance of contraception and the need
for preconception care when planning future pregnancies. [2008]

Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes

1.6.8 Test blood glucose in women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes to
exclude persisting hyperglycaemia before they are transferred to community
care. [2008]

1.6.9 Remind women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes of the symptoms
of hyperglycaemia. [2008]

1.6.10 Explain to women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes about the risks
of gestational diabetes in future pregnancies, and offer them testing for
diabetes[ ] when planning future pregnancies. [2008, amended 2015]
9

1.6.11 For women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes and whose blood
glucose levels returned to normal after the birth:

• Offer lifestyle advice (including weight control, diet and exercise).

• Offer a fasting plasma glucose test 6–13 weeks after the birth to exclude diabetes (for
practical reasons this might take place at the 6-week postnatal check).

• If a fasting plasma glucose test has not been performed by 13 weeks, offer a fasting
plasma glucose test, or an HbA1c test if a fasting plasma glucose test is not possible,
after 13 weeks.

• Do not routinely offer a 75 g 2-hour OGTT. [new 2015]

1.6.12 For women having a fasting plasma glucose test as the postnatal test:

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

• Advise women with a fasting plasma glucose level below 6.0 mmol/litre that:

－ they have a low probability of having diabetes at present

－ they should continue to follow the lifestyle advice (including weight control, diet
and exercise) given after the birth

－ they will need an annual test to check that their blood glucose levels are normal

－ they have a moderate risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and offer them advice
and guidance in line with the NICE guideline on preventing type 2 diabetes[ ]. 10

• Advise women with a fasting plasma glucose level between 6.0 and 6.9 mmol/litre that
they are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and offer them advice, guidance and
interventions in line with the NICE guideline on preventing type 2 diabetes[ ]. 10

• Advise women with a fasting plasma glucose level of 7.0 mmol/litre or above that they
are likely to have type 2 diabetes, and offer them a diagnostic test to confirm diabetes.
[new 2015]

1.6.13 For women having an HbA1c test as the postnatal test:

• Advise women with an HbA1c level below 39 mmol/mol (5.7%) that:

－ they have a low probability of having diabetes at present

－ they should continue to follow the lifestyle advice (including weight control, diet
and exercise) given after the birth

－ they will need an annual test to check that their blood glucose levels are normal

－ they have a moderate risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and offer them advice
and guidance in line with the NICE guideline on preventing type 2 diabetes[ ]. 10

• Advise women with an HbA1c level between 39 and 47 mmol/mol (5.7% and 6.4%)
that they are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and offer them advice,
guidance and interventions in line with the NICE guideline on preventing type 2
diabetes[ ]. 10

• Advise women with an HbA1c level of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or above that they have
type 2 diabetes and refer them for further care. [new 2015]

1.6.14 Offer an annual HbA1c test to women who were diagnosed with gestational

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

diabetes who have a negative postnatal test for diabetes. [new 2015]

1.6.15 Offer women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes early
self-monitoring of blood glucose or an OGTT in future pregnancies. Offer a
subsequent OGTT if the first OGTT results in early pregnancy are normal (see
recommendation 1.2.6). [2008, amended 2015]

[1]
HbA1c values are reported in mmol/mol, using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) standardised HbA1c test. The equivalent values in %, using the
Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)-aligned HbA1c test, are reported in parentheses.

[2]
The BMI cut-off should consider the variation in risk for different ethnic groups. See the NICE
guideline on BMI.

[3]
Although metformin is commonly used in UK clinical practice in the management of diabetes in
pregnancy and lactation, and there is strong evidence for its effectiveness and safety (presented in
the full version of the guideline), at the time of publication (February 2015) metformin did not have
a UK marketing authorisation for this indication. The summary of product characteristics advises
that when a patient plans to become pregnant and during pregnancy, diabetes should not be
treated with metformin but insulin should be used to maintain blood glucose levels. The prescriber
should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the decision. Informed
consent should be obtained and documented. See the General Medical Council's Good practice in
prescribing and managing medicines and devices for further information.

[4]
At the time of publication (February 2015), long-acting insulin analogues did not have UK
marketing authorisation for use during pregnancy in women with diabetes. However, the
summaries of product characteristics (SPCs) for insulin detemir and insulin glargine state that their
use may be considered during pregnancy; see the SPCs of the individual products for details. The
prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the decision.
Informed consent should be obtained and documented. See the General Medical Council's Good
practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices for further information.

[5]
Advice for women on driving with diabetes is available from the DVLA website.

[6]
At the time of surveillance review (April 2018) the UK marketing authorisation for glibenclamide
varied between different brands with regards to use in pregnancy. The prescriber should follow
relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the decision. Informed consent should
be obtained and documented. See the General Medical Council's Good practice in prescribing and

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

managing medicines and devices for further information.

[7]
For the purpose of this guidance, 'disabling hypoglycaemia' means the repeated and unpredicted
occurrence of hypoglycaemia requiring third-party assistance that results in continuing anxiety
about recurrence and is associated with significant adverse effect on quality of life.

[8]
Level 2 critical care is defined as care for patients requiring detailed observation or intervention,
including support for a single failing organ system or postoperative care and those 'stepping down'
from higher levels of care.

[9]
See Use of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus: abbreviated
report of a WHO consultation (2011).

[10]
Note that the threshold for defining a moderate and high risk of developing type 2 diabetes
postnatally for women who have had gestational diabetes is different from that given in the NICE
guideline on preventing type 2 diabetes, because of the different populations.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

2 Research recommendations
The Guideline Development Group has made the following recommendations for research, based
on its review of evidence, to improve NICE guidance and patient care in the future. The Guideline
Development Group's full set of research recommendations is detailed in the full guideline.

2.1 Preconception care for women with diabetes:

insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose
monitoring
What are the roles of insulin pump therapy (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion) and
continuous glucose monitoring in helping women with diabetes to achieve blood glucose targets
before pregnancy?

Why this is important

Babies born to women with diabetes have a high risk of having congenital malformations and this
risk is greater if blood glucose control is poor around the time of conception. However, lowering the
risk to that of women without diabetes would require normalisation of blood glucose levels, and
this is difficult to achieve without increasing the risk of serious hypoglycaemia. Insulin pump
therapy and continuous glucose monitoring have been shown to reduce both blood glucose levels
and rates of hypoglycaemia in the non-pregnant population, but it is uncertain if this holds true
before conception and in early pregnancy. There is therefore an urgent need to test the
effectiveness and acceptability of these technologies in women with diabetes who are planning
pregnancy. This would be best undertaken in a randomised controlled trial of women with diabetes
who are trying to conceive. Women would be allocated to receive either conventional care
(self-monitoring of blood glucose and insulin adjustment) or insulin pump therapy and continuous
glucose monitoring.

2.2 Testing for gestational diabetes

When should testing for gestational diabetes take place – in the first or second trimester?

Why this is important

Conventionally, testing for gestational diabetes takes place in the second trimester. Intervention

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

has been shown to improve outcomes for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes. However,
maternal age and obesity are increasing, and some women (especially those from populations with
a high incidence of type 2 diabetes) enter pregnancy with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, but may not
be tested for diabetes until the second trimester. This exposes the woman and the fetus to risks
resulting from early and prolonged maternal hyperglycaemia. It is presumed that this is associated
with increased morbidity. UK population studies are needed to establish the incidence of glucose
intolerance in women in the first trimester Well-designed randomised controlled trials are needed
to establish if testing, diagnosis and intervention in the first rather than the second trimester
improves maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes, including fetal hyperinsulinaemia.

2.3 Barriers to achieving blood glucose targets before

and during pregnancy
What are the barriers that women experience to achieving blood glucose targets?

Why this is important

It is vital for normal fetal development in the first trimester that women with pre-existing diabetes
achieve good blood glucose control both before and during pregnancy. Good control also helps to
prevent macrosomia and other complications in the third trimester in women with pre-existing or
gestational diabetes. Whereas many women manage to achieve blood glucose targets, a proportion
of women continue to find it difficult to do so. A number of factors could be involved, such as health
beliefs, a poor understanding of the importance of good blood glucose control, an inability to be
able to comply with a demanding regimen of blood glucose testing up to 7 times a day, and the need
to adjust insulin dosage. A better understanding of the barriers in this cohort of women is needed
so that healthcare professionals can work to overcome them. Robust qualitative studies are needed
to explore these barriers, with the aim of improving blood glucose control and fetal outcomes in
pregnancy for women with pre-existing diabetes and women with gestational diabetes.

2.4 Risk of fetal death for women with diabetes

How can fetuses at risk of intrauterine death be identified in women with diabetes?

Why this is important

Unexpected intrauterine death remains a significant contributor to perinatal mortality in pregnant
women with diabetes. Conventional tests of fetal wellbeing (umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound,
cardiotocography and other biophysical tests) have been shown to have poor sensitivity for

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

predicting such events. Alternative approaches that include measurements of erythropoietin in the
amniotic fluid and MRI spectroscopy may be effective, but there is currently insufficient clinical
evidence to evaluate them. Well-designed randomised controlled trials that are sufficiently
powered are needed to determine whether these approaches are clinically and cost effective.

2.5 Postnatal treatment for women diagnosed with

gestational diabetes
Are there effective long-term pharmacological interventions to prevent the onset of type 2
diabetes that can be recommended postnatally for women who have been diagnosed with
gestational diabetes?

Why this is important

Gestational diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for the subsequent development of type 2
diabetes: up to 50% of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within
5 years of the birth. There are some data suggesting that changes in diet and exercise, with or
without metformin, can prevent type 2 diabetes developing in non-pregnant middle-aged people
with glucose intolerance, but there are no studies specifically in women with a past history of
gestational diabetes. There is thus an urgent need to investigate what interventions may delay or
prevent type 2 diabetes developing in this high-risk population of women. Undertaking a formal
randomised controlled trial involving long-term outcomes is often not feasible in practice.
However, it would be possible to have a quasi-randomised study comparing 2 populations of
women with similar demographic profiles who had gestational diabetes. One population would be
encouraged at their annual check to follow a specific diet and exercise regime and those in the
other population would not. The incidence of the development of type 2 diabetes in the 2 groups at
5, 10 and 20 years would be compared.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Finding more information and resources

To find out what NICE has said on topics related to this guideline, see our web page on fertility,
pregnancy and childbirth and diabetes.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Update information
December 2015: Recommendation 1.1.29 and related NICE guidance section amended to refer to
updated NICE guideline on type 2 diabetes in adults. Footnote numbering corrected.

October 2015: Title changed from 'Diabetes in pregnancy: management of diabetes and its
complications from preconception to the postnatal period' to 'Diabetes in pregnancy: management
from preconception to the postnatal period' for clarity and consistency with other guidance on this
topic.

August 2015: Changes have been made for consistency with other NICE guidelines.
Recommendation 1.1.17 now includes plasma glucose target levels taken from the NICE guideline
on type 1 diabetes in adults. Recommendation 1.1.29 cross-refers to recommendations about
education in the NICE guidelines on type 1 diabetes in adults and type 2 diabetes in adults.
Recommendations 1.1.34 and 1.3.28 have been amended to ensure consistency with the
terminology used in the NICE guideline on chronic kidney disease.

Minor changes since publication

August 2018:
2018:Footnotes were added to recommendation 1.1.10 to clarify BMI in different ethnic
groups, and to recommendation 1.2.11 to provide a link to the DVLA. The footnotes on
glibenclamide and on thresholds for defining risk of developing type 2 diabetes were updated.

About this guideline

This guideline updates and replaces NICE guideline CG63 (published March 2008).

It has not been possible to update all recommendations in this update of the guideline. Areas for
review and update were identified and prioritised through the scoping process and stakeholder
feedback. Areas that have not been reviewed in this update may be addressed in 2 years' time when
NICE next considers updating this guideline. NICE is currently considering setting up a standing
update committee for diabetes, which would enable more rapid update of discrete areas of the
diabetes guidelines, as and when new and relevant evidence is published.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Recommendations are marked as [new 2015]

2015], [2015]
[2015], [2008] or [2008, amended 2015]
2015]:

• [new 2015] indicates that the evidence has been reviewed and the recommendation has
been added or updated

• [2015] indicates that the evidence has been reviewed but no change has been made to the
recommended action

• [2008] indicates that the evidence has not been reviewed since 2008

• [2008, amended 2015] indicates that the evidence has not been reviewed since 2008, but
either changes have been made to the recommendation wording that change the meaning or
NICE has made editorial changes to the original wording to clarify the action to be taken (see
below).

Recommendations from NICE guideline CG63 (2008) that have

been amended
Recommendations are labelled [2008, amended 2015] if the evidence has not been reviewed but
either:

• changes have been made to the recommendation wording that change the meaning or

• NICE has made editorial changes to the original wording to clarify the action to be taken.

Recommendation(s) in 2008 Recommendation(s) in current Reason for change

guideline guideline

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Women with insulin-treated Use isophane insulin (also known as The summaries of product
diabetes who are planning NPH insulin) as the first choice for characteristics for insulin
to become pregnant should long-acting insulin during detemir and insulin glargine
be informed that there is pregnancy.Consider continuing now state that use during
insufficient evidence about treatment with long-acting insulin pregnancy may be
the use of long-acting analogues (insulin detemir or insulin considered. Some
insulin analogues during glargine) in women with diabetes consultation comments
pregnancy. Therefore who have established good blood raised concerns that
isophane insulin (also glucose control before pregnancy[ ]. a
women with good blood
known as NPH insulin) [2008, amended 2015] (1.1.23) glucose control on
remains the first choice for long-acting insulin
long-acting insulin during analogues may have their
pregnancy. (1.1.6.3) glucose levels disrupted if
they switch to isophane
insulin.

Women with diabetes Offer women with diabetes a renal The text 'the urinary
should be offered a renal assessment, including a measure of albumin:creatinine ratio is
assessment, including a albuminuria , before discontinuing greater than 30 mg/mmol'
measure of contraception. If serum creatinine is has been added because
microalbuminuria, before abnormal (120 micromol/litre or this is the threshold used to
discontinuing more), the urinary define severe chronic
contraception. If serum albumin:creatinine ratio is greater kidney disease (NICE
creatinine is abnormal than 30 mg/mmol or the estimated guideline CG182).
(120 micromol/litre or glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is The terminology has been
more) or the estimated less than 45 ml/minute/1.73 m2, amended for consistency
glomerular filtration rate referral to a nephrologist should be with the NICE guideline on
(eGFR) is less than 45 ml/ considered before discontinuing chronic kidney disease.
minute/1.73 m2, referral to contraception. [2008, amended
Minor editing changes to
a nephrologist should be 2015] (1.1.34)
reflect current NICE style.
considered before
discontinuing
contraception. (1.1.11.1)

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Screening for gestational Assess risk of gestational diabetes The verb has been changed
diabetes using risk factors is using risk factors in a healthy because 'screen' and
recommended in a healthy population. At the booking 'screening' are now used in
population. At the booking appointment, determine the NICE guidelines only in
appointment, the following following risk factors for gestational relation to national
risk factors for gestational diabetes: screening programmes.
diabetes should be The GDG advised that the
determined: • BMI above 30 kg/m2
sub-bullets listing different
• previous macrosomic baby family origin in the original
• body mass index above
weighing 4.5 kg or above recommendation did not
30 kg/m2
cover all minority ethnic
• previous gestational diabetes groups that have a high
• previous macrosomic
baby weighing 4.5 kg or prevalence of diabetes. It is
• family history of diabetes
above important that women in
(first-degree relative with
groups other than those
diabetes)
• previous gestational that were listed are not
diabetes • minority ethnic family origin with overlooked for screening.
a high prevalence of diabetes. Minor editing changes to
• family history of
diabetes (first-degree reflect current NICE style,
Offer women with any one of these
relative with diabetes) and the verb has been
risk factors testing for gestational
changed (no change to
diabetes (see recommendations
meaning).
1.2.5–1.2.7). [2008, amended 2015]
(1.2.2)

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

• family origin with a high

prevalence of diabetes:

－ South Asian
(specifically women
whose country of
family origin is India,
Pakistan or
Bangladesh)

－ black Caribbean

－ Middle Eastern
(specifically women
whose country of
family origin is Saudi
Arabia, United Arab
Emirates, Iraq,
Jordan, Syria, Oman,
Qatar, Kuwait,
Lebanon or Egypt).

Women with any one of

these risk factors should be
offered testing for
gestational diabetes (see
recommendation 1.2.2.4).
(4.3.1.1)

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

During pregnancy, women Advise pregnant women with The GDG advised that the
with insulin-treated insulin-treated diabetes to always original recommendation
diabetes should be provided have available a fast-acting form of no longer reflects usual
with a concentrated glucose glucose (for example, dextrose clinical practice, and the
solution and women with tablets or glucose-containing changes take this into
type 1 diabetes should also drinks). [2008, amended 2015] account. It was also felt that
be given glucagon; women (1.3.14) the information is clearer if
and their partners or other Provide glucagon to pregnant it is divided into
family members should be women with type 1 diabetes for use 2 recommendations
instructed in their use. if needed. Instruct the woman and because the actions are
(1.3.3.3) her partner or other family different in each.
members in its use. [2008, amended Minor editing changes to
2015] (1.3.15) reflect current NICE style.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Pregnant women with Offer pregnant women with All women with
pre-existing diabetes should pre-existing diabetes retinal pre-existing diabetes
be offered retinal assessment by digital imaging with should have retinal
assessment by digital mydriasis using tropicamide assessment at booking (first
imaging with mydriasis following their first antenatal clinic antenatal appointment) and
using tropicamide following appointment (unless they have had at 28 weeks, in accordance
their first antenatal clinic a retinal assessment in the last with the NHS Diabetic Eye
appointment and again at 3 months), and again at 28 weeks. If Screening Programme.
28 weeks if the first any diabetic retinopathy is present Thus 'if the first assessment
assessment is normal. If any at booking, perform an additional is normal' has been
diabetic retinopathy is retinal assessment at 16–20 weeks. removed because it implies
present, an additional [2008, amended 2015] (1.3.24) that if the first reading is
retinal assessment should not normal the woman does
be performed at not need to be tested at
16–20 weeks. (1.3.4.1) 28 weeks.
However, if a woman has
had retinal assessment in
the 3 months before her
booking appointment,
another one isn't needed at
that time.
If retinopathy is present at
booking, the woman should
have an additional screen at
16–20 weeks (that is, as
well as at 28 weeks).
Minor editing changes to
reflect current NICE style.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Women who have Ensure that women who have The text 'or any form of
preproliferative diabetic preproliferative diabetic referable retinopathy' was
retinopathy diagnosed retinopathy or any form of referable added as advised by the
during pregnancy should retinopathy diagnosed during National Screening
have ophthalmological pregnancy have ophthalmological Programme. Retinopathy
follow-up for at least follow-up for at least 6 months after can worsen during
6 months following the birth the birth of the baby. [2008, pregnancy because of the
of the baby. (1.3.4.4) amended 2015] ((1.3.26) acute effects of improved
blood glucose control. The
potential continues after
the birth.
Minor editing changes to
reflect current NICE style.

If renal assessment has not If renal assessment has not been The time from the previous
been undertaken in the undertaken in the preceding renal assessment has been
preceding 12 months in 3 months in women with changed from 12 months to
women with pre-existing pre-existing diabetes, arrange it at 3 months because of the
diabetes, it should be the first contact in pregnancy. If the increased risk of
arranged at the first contact serum creatinine is abnormal pre-eclampsia in women
in pregnancy. If serum (120 micromol/litre or more), the with moderately increased
creatinine is abnormal urinary albumin:creatinine ratio is albuminuria
(120 micromol/litre or greater than 30 mg/mmol or total ('microalbuminuria').
more) or if total protein protein excretion exceeds 0.5 g/day, The text 'the urinary
excretion exceeds 2 g/day, referral to a nephrologist should be albumin:creatinine ratio is
referral to a nephrologist considered (eGFR should not be greater than 30 mg/mmol'
should be considered (eGFR used during pregnancy). has been added because
should not be used during Thromboprophylaxis should be this is the threshold used to
pregnancy). considered for women with define severe disease in the
Thromboprophylaxis should nephrotic range proteinuria above NICE guideline on chronic
be considered for women 5 g/day (albumin:creatinine ratio kidney disease.
with proteinuria above 5 g/ greater than 220 mg/mmol). [2008,
Minor editing changes to
day (macroalbuminuria). amended 2015] (1.3.28)
reflect current NICE style.
(1.3.5.1)

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Women with diabetes Offer women with diabetes an When reviewing and
should be offered antenatal ultrasound scan for detecting fetal updating the Table of
examination of the structural abnormalities, including antenatal appointments in
four-chamber view of the examination of the fetal heart recommendation 1.3.35,
fetal heart and outflow (4 chambers, outflow tracts and the GDG became aware of
tracts at 18–20 weeks. 3 vessels), at 20 weeks. [2008, some inconsistencies
(1.3.6.1) amended 2015] (1.3.30) between the
recommendations about
the use of ultrasound to
detect structural
abnormalities in the 2008
guideline. The relevant
2008 recommendations
were recommendation
1.3.6.1 (listed) and the
following wording in
Table 1 (recommendation
1.3.8.3): 'Offer
four-chamber view of the
fetal heart and outflow
tracts plus scans that would
be offered at 18–20 weeks
as part of routine antenatal
care'.
However, the 2008 full
guideline states that the
ultrasound scan for
detecting structural
anomalies and anatomical
examination of the
four-chamber view of the
fetal heart plus outflow
tracts should take place at
20 weeks. This was because
visualisation of fetal cardiac
anatomy, including the
four-chamber view, was

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

better at 20 weeks than at

18 weeks.
In view of this duplication
of recommendations and
inconsistency in gestational
age, the GDG felt that it
would be better to bring
together the separate
recommendations about
screening for congenital
abnormalities (scanning for
structural abnormalities in
general, scanning the
four-chamber view of the
fetal heart and performing
the ultrasound scan at
20 weeks [rather than the
usual 18 weeks in a
non-diabetic pregnancy])
into 1 recommendation for
greater clarity.
The recommendation was
further amended from
'Offer an ultrasound scan
for detecting structural
anomalies and examination
of the four chamber view of
the fetal heart and outflow
tracts' to 'Offer women
with diabetes an ultrasound
scan for detecting fetal
structural abnormalities
including examination of
the fetal heart (four
chambers, outflow tracts
and three vessels) at
20 weeks' as these views

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

are recommended as part

of the Fetal Anomaly
Screening Programme.
Minor editing changes to
reflect current NICE style.

Routine monitoring of fetal Routine monitoring of fetal Details have been added to
wellbeing before 38 weeks wellbeing (using methods such as the recommendation to
is not recommended in fetal umbilical artery Doppler make it clear which types of
pregnant women with recording, fetal heart rate recording monitoring are being
diabetes, unless there is a and biophysical profile testing) referred to – this
risk of intrauterine growth before 38 weeks is not recommendation does not
restriction. recommended in pregnant women refer to standard checks
with diabetes, unless there is a risk carried out by midwives.
of fetal growth restriction. [2008, The term 'intrauterjne
amended 2015] (1.3.32) growth restriction' is
outdated and has been
replaced by 'fetal growth
restriction'.

1.3.8.2 Women with Ensure that women with diabetes The term 'joint diabetes
diabetes should have have contact with the joint diabetes and antenatal clinic' has
contact with the diabetes and antenatal clinic for assessment been used for consistency
care team for assessment of of blood glucose control every and clarity.
glycaemic control every 1–2 weeks throughout pregnancy.
1–2 weeks throughout (1.3.35) [2008, amended 2015]
pregnancy.

1.3.8.3 1.3.36 Details in table 1

(Timetable of antenatal
appointments) have been
amended to match changes
to recommendations
elsewhere in the guideline.
Minor editing changes to
reflect current NICE style.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Babies of women with Test blood glucose levels in babies The GDG recommended
diabetes who present with of women with diabetes who adding the text 'those who
clinical signs of present with clinical signs of are hypoglycaemic' for
hypoglycaemia should have hypoglycaemia, and treat those who clarity.
their blood glucose tested are hypoglycaemic with intravenous Minor editing changes to
and be treated with dextrose as soon as possible. [2008, reflect current NICE style.
intravenous dextrose as amended 2015] (1.5.11)
soon as possible. (1.5.2.5)

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Women who were Explain to women who were The text '(including those
diagnosed with gestational diagnosed with gestational diabetes with ongoing impaired
diabetes (including those about the risks of gestational glucose regulation)' has
with ongoing impaired diabetes in future pregnancies, and been removed because it
glucose regulation) should offer them testing for diabetes[ ] b
did not make sense: women
be informed about the risks when planning future pregnancies. with 'ongoing impaired
of gestational diabetes in [2008, amended 2015] (1.6.10) glucose regulation' need
future pregnancies and they ongoing surveillance and
should be offered screening care from the diabetes care
(OGTT or fasting plasma team. This
glucose) for diabetes when recommendation was
planning future intended for women who
pregnancies. (1.6.2.5) have no evidence of glucose
intolerance after birth.
A verb has been changed
because 'screen' and
'screening' are now used in
NICE guidelines only in
relation to national
screening programmes.
The text '(OGTT or fasting
plasma glucose)' has been
removed and a footnote
giving a link to WHO
criteria for diagnosing
diabetes has been added.
This is for consistency with
current practice for
diagnosing diabetes.
Minor editing changes to
reflect current NICE style.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Women who were Offer women who were diagnosed The text '(including those
diagnosed with gestational with gestational diabetes early with ongoing impaired
diabetes (including those self-monitoring of blood glucose or glucose regulation)' has
with ongoing impaired an OGTT in future pregnancies. been removed because it
glucose regulation) should Offer a subsequent OGTT if the first did not make sense: anyone
be offered early OGTT results in early pregnancy are with 'ongoing impaired
self-monitoring of blood normal (see recommendation 1.2.6). glucose regulation' needs
glucose or an OGTT in [2008, amended 2015] (1.6.15) ongoing surveillance and
future pregnancies. A care from the diabetes care
subsequent OGTT should team. This
be offered if the test results recommendation was
in early pregnancy are intended for women who
normal (see have no evidence of any
recommendation 1.2.2.4). glucose intolerance after
(1.6.2.6) birth.
The text 'the test results in
early pregnancy' has been
changed to 'the first OGTT
results in early pregnancy'
to clarify which test is
meant. A subsequent OGTT
is not needed if the woman
is self-monitoring.

1.1.2.1, 1.1.8.3, 1.3.4.4, 1.1.4, 1.1.28, 1.3.33, 1.3.38, 1.4.10, NICE has made editorial
1.3.7.3, 1.3.9.2, 1.4.3.1, 1.4.12, 1.5.9, 1.5.10 changes to the original
1.4.3.3, 1.5.2.3, 1.5.2.4 wording to clarify the
action to be taken (no
change to meaning): a verb
has been added, or the verb
used has been changed.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

[a]
At the time of publication (February 2015), long-acting insulin analogues did not have UK
marketing authorisation for use during pregnancy in women with diabetes. However, the
summaries of product characteristics (SPCs) for insulin detemir and insulin glargine state that
their use may be considered during pregnancy; see the SPCs of the individual products for
details. The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility
for the decision. Informed consent should be obtained and documented. See the General
Medical Council's Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices for further
information.
[b ]
See Use of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus: abbreviated
report of a WHO consultation (2011).

Strength of recommendations
Some recommendations can be made with more certainty than others. The Guideline Development
Group makes a recommendation based on the trade-off between the benefits and harms of an
intervention, taking into account the quality of the underpinning evidence. For some interventions,
the Guideline Development Group is confident that, given the information it has looked at, most
patients would choose the intervention. The wording used in the recommendations in this guideline
denotes the certainty with which the recommendation is made (the strength of the
recommendation).

For all recommendations, NICE expects that there is discussion with the patient about the risks and
benefits of the interventions, and their values and preferences. This discussion aims to help them to
reach a fully informed decision.

Interventions that must (or must not) be used

We usually use 'must' or 'must not' only if there is a legal duty to apply the recommendation.
Occasionally we use 'must' (or 'must not') if the consequences of not following the
recommendation could be extremely serious or potentially life threatening.

Interventions that should (or should not) be used – a 'strong'

recommendation
We use 'offer' (and similar words such as 'refer' or 'advise') when we are confident that, for the vast
majority of patients, an intervention will do more good than harm, and be cost effective. We use
similar forms of words (for example, 'Do not offer…') when we are confident that an intervention
will not be of benefit for most patients.

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Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period (NG3)

Interventions that could be used

We use 'consider' when we are confident that an intervention will do more good than harm for
most patients, and be cost effective, but other options may be similarly cost effective. The choice of
intervention, and whether or not to have the intervention at all, is more likely to depend on the
patient's values and preferences than for a strong recommendation, and so the healthcare
professional should spend more time considering and discussing the options with the patient.

Recommendation wording in guideline updates

NICE began using this approach to denote the strength of recommendations in guidelines that
started development after publication of the 2009 version of 'The guidelines manual' (January
2009). This does not apply to any recommendations ending [2008] (see 'Update information' above
for details about how recommendations are labelled). In particular, for recommendations labelled
[2008] the word 'consider' may not necessarily be used to denote the strength of the
recommendation.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-0993-3

Accreditation

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