Not ready for parenthood yet? Here's what you can do now.
There are several things you can do to prepare for pregnancy well before you're ready to conceive.
- Read with a focus on safety. When you understand the specific steps to reduce risks, you can take action effectively. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but stay confident: with a proactive plan and the right medical support, women with diabetes have healthy, happy pregnancies every day.
- Assemble your specialist team. Seek out an obstetrician and an endocrinologist who specialize in high-risk pregnancies. You will be working closely together, so ensure they are experts in the latest diabetes management and make you feel supported.
- Ask about your targets. Your doctor may want you to aim for a tighter blood sugar range when you're trying to get pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.1
- Fine-tune your blood sugar. Keeping your numbers in range is incredibly important for your healthy pregnancy—even before you conceive.1
Why start early?
Once you start trying to conceive, it could happen anytime. High blood sugar can affect a baby in the very first weeks—often before you even know you're pregnant. By making tight control a habit now, you ensure your body is ready the moment you're successful. Focus on reliable health data, lean on your team, and stay positive. After all, there’s a baby on the way.
References:
1American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 15. Management of diabetes in pregnancy: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(suppl 1):S321-S336. doi:10.2337/dc26-S015.