Why Prospective Parents With Diabetes Need To Plan Ahead? IVF & Fertility Specialist Answered

For every couple, planning a baby is one of life’s happiest decisions. But when diabetes is part of the picture, that joy must be balanced with careful preparation. Women with diabetes face a higher risk of severe health conditions such as pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and birth injuries. Keeping blood sugar under control before and during pregnancy can make a huge difference to both mother and baby.

To understand how and why couples with diabetes should be more cautious during and after pregnancy, and what factors should be taken care of while trying to conceive, we spoke to Dr. Ila Gupta, Chairperson & Chief Consultant IVF, Pristyn Care Ferticity Delhi, Co-founder & Director Ferticity Delhi.

Why Pre-Pregnancy Sugar Control Matters For Couples with Diabetes

On World Diabetes Day 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released global guidelines to manage diabetes during pregnancy for the first time. According to their report, over 21 million women, or one in every six, are annually affected by this condition. This number itself shows how the risk has increased significantly and requires immediate global attention.

Imbalanced blood sugar levels impact the couple and the baby severely, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions such as pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and birth injuries.

Dr Ila Gupta explained, “Modern lifestyles have made diabetes common even among young adults. It often affects fertility, hormone balance, and pregnancy health. We now meet couples in their late 20s or early 30s who have diabetes and are planning a child. With the right guidance, most of them can have a completely healthy pregnancy.”

What To Look For Before Trying to Conceive

Before starting the journey to parenthood, couples should visit their diabetologist or fertility specialist for a complete health check. Dr Gupta shared, “Get your HbA1c test done to measure average sugar levels over the last three months. In women, high sugar can disturb ovulation and eqq quality, while in men it can affect sperm quality.”

She further suggested that blood pressure, thyroid, and kidney function should also be reviewed because diabetes often influences these systems. She also shared the factors one should consider and look for throughout the pregnancy:

Also Read: New WHO Guidelines: 1 in 6 Pregnancies Affected by Diabetes, What You Need To Do

Keep Blood Sugar Level Steady

Pregnancy brings hormonal changes that raise insulin resistance. Couples should try to keep their blood sugar level steady by eating regular, balanced meals. Including whole grains, green vegetables, lentils, and healthy fats helps keep glucose stable. Dr Gupta stated, “Smaller meals throughout the day work better than long gaps and heavy dinners. Good control in early pregnancy reduces the risk of miscarriage, high blood pressure, and premature birth.”

Monitoring and Medical Support

Dr Gupta recommended that women with diabetes should have regular glucose checks, urine and eye tests, and periodic scans. Monitoring these factors helps track both maternal and foetal health. “Some mothers may need insulin adjustments as the baby grows. For those undergoing fertility treatment such as IVF, stable sugar levels improve egg and embryo quality, increasing the chances of success,” Dr Gupta noted.

Also Read: Is Your Lifestyle Raising Your Gestational Diabetes Risk? Find Out Here

Delivery-Related Concerns

As discussed with Dr Gupta, high sugar levels may lead to larger babies, pre-term labour, or caesarean delivery. She further added, “Controlled sugar greatly lowers these risks, and it is also important to keep a close watch on the baby’s sugar level after birth to ensure smooth recovery.”

Everyday Habits That Help

Simple lifestyle habits usually make a great difference for both the mother and baby. Dr Gupta shared a few habits one should focus on:

• One should have a nutritious home-cooked diet throughout the pregnancy and even after delivery.
• Being physically active is a must for baby health. Small and slow walks, yoga, or light stretching can support both sugar control and emotional well-being.
• Having enough and good quality sleep also helps to keep the blood sugar level in balance.
• Keeping stress and anxiety in check goes a long way.

“Diabetes should never discourage couples from starting a family. With awareness, planning, and regular follow-ups, it’s absolutely possible to have a healthy baby,” Dr Gupta continued.

Bottomline

Today, when diabetes has become one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases in the world, working on your blood sugar levels in advance, particularly in pregnancy, will help your child have a safe and healthy future.