New technology for diabetic pregnant women will reduce risk of miscarriage and stillbirth

Thousands of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes are to be given a special artificial pancreas to reduce the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage.

Mothers-to-be with the condition have higher risks as pregnancy hormones can make it harder for them to regulate their blood glucose levels.

Now, expectant mothers in England will be offered a “game-changing” specialised tool to help them manage their blood glucose levels effectively.

The new tool, also known as a hybrid closed loop system, will be offered to the 2,000 women with type 1 diabetes who fall pregnant each year.

It will be also offered to women who have type 1 diabetes and are planning a pregnancy, NHS England said.

The technology, which is linked to a mobile phone app, delivers the precise insulin dosages a woman requires before and during pregnancy.

Unlike other artificial pancreases, this allows pregnant women to set a glucose target to the lower level required to achieve better outcomes in pregnancy, NHS England said.

It also allows remote monitoring by health workers which means fewer check-ups for mothers-to-be.

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Source: The Independent, 5 September 2025

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