Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO recommendations on care for women with diabetes during pregnancy
Year of Publication2025
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
Antenatal education. For pregnant women with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes, provide education on:
- the effects of diabetes in pregnancy on maternal, fetal, newborn and child health outcomes;
- diet and physical activity;
- appropriate gestational weight gain;
- managing glycaemia;
- the need for additional monitoring of fetal growth and wellbeing
Recommended
Notes and Remarks
Education and counselling in pregnancy to improve maternal health outcomes was recommended by the WHO 2016 antenatal care guidelines. The GDG noted the need for education specific to diabetes during pregnancy in addition to the education and counselling provided routinely as part of antenatal care. Potential approaches to diabetes-specific antenatal education: culturally relevant resources may be beneficial and promote women’s empowerment, shared decisionmaking, and health literacy