Canada Study: Continuous Glucose Monitoring During Pregnancy Improves Outcomes for Diabetic Moms

A study from Canada, conducted by researchers at the University of Manitoba's Department of Internal Medicine, examines the growing body of evidence supporting continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) during pregnancy for women living with diabetes. Published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (2021), this comprehensive review arrives at a critical time as both patients and healthcare providers seek safer, more effective ways to manage diabetes throughout pregnancy.

What the Research Found

Authors Yamamoto and Murphy reviewed landmark trials — most notably the CONCEPTT trial (CGM in pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes) alongside a Swedish real-world cohort study — to assess how real-time CGM impacts maternal blood sugar control and birth outcomes. The evidence was compelling enough that the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) now recommends real-time CGM for all pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes and provides government funding for a full 12-month supply.

CGM devices continuously track blood glucose levels throughout the day and night, alerting users to dangerous highs and lows. During pregnancy, maintaining tight glucose control is critical. Target blood sugar levels during pregnancy typically range from 63–140 mg/dL (3.5–7.8 mmol/L) — a narrower window than standard diabetes management, where pre-meal targets are generally under 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) per American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines.

Why Canada's International Perspective Matters

Canada's universal healthcare system and close collaboration with European research institutions gives Canadian researchers a unique view of large, diverse patient populations. The University of Manitoba serves Indigenous and rural communities with historically limited healthcare access — groups whose experiences offer important lessons about real-world CGM adoption beyond ideal clinical settings.

Why This Matters for US Patients

In the United States, CGM use during pregnancy is growing but remains inconsistent. The ADA supports CGM use in pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes, yet insurance coverage gaps and provider unfamiliarity can leave many American patients without access. Here's what US patients should know:

• Not all CGMs are pregnancy-approved. Only certain devices have FDA clearance specifically for use during pregnancy. Ask your OB or endocrinologist which devices are approved for your situation.
• Coverage is improving. The Affordable Care Act and recent Medicaid expansions have broadened CGM coverage for pregnant women with diabetes, but gaps remain — particularly for women with Type 2 or gestational diabetes.
• The UK is ahead of the US on access. The fact that the UK now funds CGM for all Type 1 diabetic pregnancies may put pressure on US insurers and policymakers to follow suit.
• Better glucose control means better outcomes. Studies show CGM use is associated with fewer instances of large-for-gestational-age babies, lower rates of neonatal hypoglycemia, and fewer NICU admissions — outcomes every expecting mother cares deeply about.

Talking to Your Doctor

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and living with Type 1 diabetes, ask your healthcare provider about FDA-approved CGM options. Bring up this Canadian review and the UK's NICE guidelines as evidence that real-time CGM is becoming the global standard of care.

Original Study: Yamamoto JM, Murphy HR. "Benefits of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Pregnancy." Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 2021. DOI: 10.1089/dia.2020.0667. PMID: 33512267.