Physical Activity During Pregnancy in Women With Pre-existing Diabetes

Pregnancy can be more challenging for women with pre-existing (Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes) because it increases the risk of complications such as early births or babies being born larger than usual. Keeping blood sugar levels under control is very important to reduce these risks but the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy make this harder to manage and can cause added stress for expectant mothers. There have been improvements in technology to monitor and manage blood sugar levels, however, there have not been many improvements in pregnancy outcomes in this population Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy have many benefits such as cardiovascular health and lower chance of pregnancy complications. For individuals with diabetes, physical activity can also help manage blood sugar levels and reduce insulin requirements. However, there is limited research on physical activity in women with pre-existing diabetes. This study aims to find out how physical activity levels change throughout pregnancy, and how physical activity may be linked to blood sugar levels and diabetes related mental health. To determine what needs to be improved regarding physical activity during pregnancy in diabetes, it is crucial to first understand what activity patterns women engage in throughout pregnancy. In addition, what support is needed and when, will be explored Pregnant women (aged 18years or older) with a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes before becoming pregnant will be invited to take part. Participants will be recruited during routine clinic visits. Physical activity during pregnancy in women with pre-existing diabetes will be explored using both measurable activity data and patient experiences of being physically activity during pregnancy. Pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes will be invited to take part from early in their pregnancy. Participants will wear a wrist-based activity monitor for seven days in each trimester, complete an exercise diary and re