Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month: Could Blood Sugar Play a Part?
October 19, 2026
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. It is a time to remember families who have experienced pregnancy loss and to talk about something we can act on before pregnancy.
Did you know diabetes can affect pregnancy even before you see a positive pregnancy test?
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar before and during early pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications.
The good news? Managing your blood sugar before pregnancy can help lower this risk.
And preparing for pregnancy is not only about the woman.
Pregnancy health starts with BOTH partners.
If either partner or both have diabetes, this is a good time to think about health before trying for a baby.
For the person who will carry the pregnancy, getting blood glucose into a healthy range before conception is one of the most important steps. Current diabetes guidelines recommend aiming for an HbA1c below 6.5%, where this can be achieved safely, before pregnancy.
For the male partner, diabetes can also matter. Research shows that poorly controlled diabetes in men may affect sperm quality and damage sperm DNA. This has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage.
So, where do you start?
You can start preparing 3-6 months before trying for a baby;
- Check your blood sugar: Talk to your GP about your HbA1c and discuss your blood sugar targets.
- Eat well: Build regular meals with vegetables, wholegrains, protein and healthy fats and avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
- Move more: Walking every day is a great start.
- Manage your weight: If you are above a healthy weight, losing just 5–10% may help improve fertility.
- Plan ahead: Ask a fertility or pregnancy dietitian to review your diet and supplements, including folic acid, vitamin D, iron and a pregnancy multivitamin. If you have experienced repeated pregnancy loss or difficulty becoming pregnant, speak with your healthcare team about whether further fertility or sperm testing may be helpful.
Most importantly, having diabetes does not mean you cannot have a healthy pregnancy.
It means you have an opportunity to prepare.
Small changes before pregnancy can support to improve blood glucose, healthier parents and the healthiest possible start for your future baby.
Not sure where to start?
The 2kg Challenge is a great first step! Start with small changes to your food choices, move more and work towards better health — one step at a time.
A healthy pregnancy starts before conception, and both partners can play a part!