Preconception care & family planning

If you're living with diabetes and could become pregnant — whether or not that's something you're actively planning right now — a little preparation ahead of time can make a real difference to your health and any future pregnancy. This isn't just for people trying to conceive; it's worth knowing about if pregnancy is a possibility for you at all, so you're prepared whatever happens.

Our approach

Why pre-conception care matters (even if you’re not planning to become pregnant)

Good blood glucose management in the lead-up to pregnancy is linked to better outcomes for both you and your baby, since your baby's earliest development happens before many people even know they're pregnant. That's true whether a pregnancy is carefully planned or comes as a surprise — and pregnancies aren't always planned.

That's why current best-practice guidelines recommend pre-conception counselling for anyone living with diabetes who could become pregnant, not only those actively trying to conceive. Having a plan in place means you're prepared either way — not caught off guard if your circumstances change.

There's no such thing as starting too early, and no expectation that you're actively trying to conceive, or planning to at all. Some people come to us already trying; others are thinking ahead; and some simply want to be prepared in case things change down the track. All of that is a good reason to have this conversation, and we'll meet you where you're at.

And if you've just found out you're pregnant and aren't sure how you'd like to proceed — including if you're considering not continuing the pregnancy — you're welcome to reach out to us directly, right here. We can talk through your diabetes management and your options with you, without any assumption about what you'll decide. We'll see you quickly, and make sure you have the information, support, and referrals you need to help plan your next steps.

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How we can help

Depending on your needs, your pre-conception care may involve Shannon, our Nurse Practitioner, Siana, our Registered Midwife Credentialled Diabetes Educator, or both working together.

Support from Shannon (Women's Health)
Shannon can assist with:

  • Contraception transition

  • Pre-pregnancy health checks

  • Medication and supplement review

  • Understanding safe pregnancy planning steps

Support from Siana (RM CDE)
For women living with diabetes, Siana can help you with:

  • Understanding pre-pregnancy glucose targets

  • Reviewing CGM, pump, or smart pen use

  • Identifying whether your current diabetes technology is suitable for pregnancy

  • Preparing for discussions with your GP, endocrinologist, or diabetes-in-pregnancy team

  • Building confidence with diabetes self-management before conception

Diabetes technologies and preconception

Some insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery systems have limited pregnancy data, or aren't approved for use during pregnancy. Additionally, if you have type 1 diabetes and access CGM on the NDSS, did you know that you are eligible for a further subsidised rate when actively planning a pregnancy? Siana can help you understand these considerations, and support you in choosing technology that aligns with your pregnancy goals.

Looking for diabetes-specific pregnancy care? Visit our Diabetes & Pregnancy page →

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