If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, contact the Diabetes centre to arrange a pre-pregnancy planning consultation with your Diabetes doctor.
If you already have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and you are pregnant, get in touch with the Diabetes Centre as soon as you find out you are pregnant. We are based at the Diabetes centre within the Victoria Hospital grounds (tel 01592 648001). You will then have a review arranged with the Diabetes early pregnancy clinic, run by the Diabetes specialist nurse, Diabetes consultant and specialist dietitian. This may be face to face or via NearMe virtual appointment.
If you are not already on high dose folic acid (5mg) , please contact your GP and start this as soon as possible.
You should also refer yourself to maternity services as soon as possible. You may want to visit our You're pregnant what happens now page?
Joint diabetes antenatal clinic
Once you are booked in the pregnancy, you should have your appointments from 12 weeks at the Joint Diabetes Antenatal Clinic at Victoria Hospital. These run on Monday mornings. You will have face to face or telephone appointments with the clinic every two to four weeks, during your pregnancy.
Most women and their babies will remain healthy during the pregnancy and birth but it is important to receive specialist input. Women with diabetes in pregnancy have an individualised plan made for their care aiming to reduce the risks during pregnancy.
If you have diabetes, you may be at risk of:
- Having a miscarriage or stillbirth
- Developing pre-eclampsia
- Developing problems with your eyes (diabetic retinopathy) or kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), or these conditions becoming worse if you already have them
- Having a large baby, which can increase the likelihood of needing interventions like induction of labour or caesarean section
Your baby may be at risk of:
- Structural abnormalities
- Distress in the womb closer to term
- Health problems following birth that may require hospital care
- Developing obesity and/or diabetes in later life
What happens at the joint diabetes antenatal clinic?
Useful contact numbers
- NHS Fife switchboard - 01592 643355
- Diabetes secretary – Ext 28201
- Diabetes centre – Ext 28001
- NHS Fife pregnancy booking - Ext 28374
- Antenatal clinic – Ext 29089
- Maternity Assessment Unit – Ext 29187
