Lata Ramoutar was unimpressed by the care she received

But experts say that all too often services are poor and care uncoordinated.

The guidelines to the NHS are clear, but Lata Ramoutar, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes nearly 20 years ago, says she has had to battle for what she is entitled to.

"I have researched about my condition myself, I know what I should be doing, and how to look after myself," she said.

"I don't think this is the case for everyone and, with the uncoordinated services as they are, this could be putting mothers and babies at risk."

Ms Ramoutar, 37 and from London, says the standards of care are not consistent enough.

"There are always exceptions, and I have met some wonderful doctors and nurses, but all too often I get the impression they do not understand the issues women with diabetes face."

They focused on the bleak picture, just talking about the risks, rather than on how to approach it positively, so I decided to do it on my own Lata Ramoutar

Throughout pregnancy, women with diabetes need to take extra doses of folic acid, and have regular scans to make sure their babies are not growing too quickly, or developing heart and spine defects - some of the common risks in such cases.

"All too often I would find myself explaining to staff why I needed folic acid or the regular scans," Ms Ramoutar said.

"It makes you wonder if things will even get picked up when they are going wrong.

"There was even one occasion where a locum GP refused to give me the folic acid."

Ms Ramoutar, who is now pregnant with her second child after the birth of her daugher Mathilde in 2003, was also disappointed with the care she received before she was pregnant.

Women with diabetes are supposed to get advice on how to control their blood sugar levels and what to eat to keep their diabetes in check.

But Ms Ramoutar was disappointed when she went to her local hospital before she started trying for a baby.

"I went once and did not go back, they did not make me feel welcome at all.

"They focused on the bleak picture, just talking about the risks, rather than on how to approach it positively, so I decided to do it on my own."