Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition in which the body cannot produce insulin. During pregnancy, people with Type 1 diabetes must carefully manage their blood sugar levels to reduce risks to themselves and their baby. This often involves frequent monitoring and strict targets. While medical care focuses on maintaining a safe pregnancy, less attention has been paid to how this experience affects individuals emotionally. This thesis contains two papers exploring the psychological experiences of pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes.

The first paper is a scoping review of existing research on psychological challenges, wellbeing, and quality of life during pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes. The review found that many women experience fear, pressure, and emotional exhaustion linked to blood sugar management and concerns about their baby’s health. However, the evidence base remains small. Studies measure emotional wellbeing inconsistently, using questionnaires not specifically designed for diabetes or pregnancy. Few studies follow women over time, meaning our understanding of how experiences change during pregnancy remains limited.

The second paper is an empirical study exploring these experiences in depth using a diary method. Eight women recorded their thoughts and feelings throughout pregnancy, capturing how experiences changed over time. This approach addressed gaps identified in the review by focusing on lived experiences during pregnancy. The study showed that blood sugar readings could feel like judgments about how well women were protecting their baby, leading to guilt and self-blame when levels were outside target ranges. It also highlighted the emotional effort required to manage diabetes alongside the transition to motherhood. Together, these studies show that pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes is a significant emotional experience. Recognising psychological experiences could help maternity and diabetes services provide more compassionate, person-centred care, and support the development of psychologically informed models of maternity and diabetes care.