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For women with type 2 diabetes

Pre-pregnancy screening for diabetes-related complications

Before pregnancy, it is important to be checked for any diabetes-related complications in your kidneys, eyes and nerves. Some women may also be advised to have a check of their heart health prior to pregnancy.

You will need to have your kidneys and eyes checked during your pregnancy as well.

Your doctor will ask you to have a urine test to check the amount of protein/albumin passing through your kidneys. You will also have a blood test to check the function of your kidneys.

If there are any problems, you may need to see a kidney specialist before pregnancy and you will need to be monitored carefully during your pregnancy (especially in relation to your blood pressure). Even minor kidney problems (such as slightly increased levels of protein in the urine) can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Make an appointment to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist (a specialist eye doctor) to have the back of your eyes checked. Make sure they know you have diabetes. If you have damage to the small blood vessels at the back of the eye (diabetic retinopathy), this needs to be stable before pregnancy. Ask your eye specialist if you need any treatment before you become pregnant.

You may be advised to have a check of your heart health before pregnancy. This includes checking for symptoms of heart problems. If you have any symptoms of heart problems or history of heart disease further checks will be recommended before pregnancy.

Your podiatrist, diabetes educator or doctor can check for nerve damage in your feet (peripheral neuropathy), using simple physical checks such as a tuning fork or a ‘monofilament’ that measures pressure sensation.

If you have advanced diabetes-related complications, discuss the risks of pregnancy with your endocrinologist/diabetes specialist, as well as other relevant medical specialist (such as your ophthalmologist or kidney specialist), before planning to become pregnant. Pregnancy puts additional stress on your body and some diabetes-related complications can worsen during pregnancy, such as kidney disease and retinopathy (eye damage). Your specialist medical health professionals can provide information and advice suited to your individual circumstances.

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Diabetes Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. We recognise their connection to land, waters, winds and culture. We pay the upmost respect to them, their cultures and to their Elders, past and present. We are committed to improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by diabetes and those at risk.

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