Closed-Loop Systems in Pregnancy: Aggressive Settings for Better Outcomes
Managing type 1 diabetes during pregnancy is one of the most complex challenges for both moms and their care teams.
The stakes are high — from preventing congenital anomalies and preterm birth to reducing risks like preeclampsia and macrosomia. (1).
✔️ HbA1c <6% (42 mmol/mol) at conception, or <7% (53 mmol/mol) if there is a risk of hypoglycemia
✔️ Fasting glucose <95 mg/dl (5.3 mmol/l)
✔️ Post-meal spikes tightly controlled: 1-hour postprandial glucose <140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/l), and 2-hour postprandial glucose <120 mg/dl (6.7 mmol/l)
✔️ Pregnancy Time-in-Range (TIRp: 63-140 mg/dl or 3.5–7.8 mmol/l) >70% & Time-Below-Range (TBRp: <63 mg/dl or <3.5 mmol/l) <4%.
One study showed that even a 5% improvement in TIRp is linked to better maternal and neonatal outcomes. (4)
But here’s the reality — those targets are incredibly hard to hit.
👉 In early pregnancy, insulin needs drop, increasing the risk of lows.
👉 By the third trimester, insulin resistance rises rapidly, often doubling insulin needs by the end of the third trimester. (5)
In recent years, the introduction of closed-loop systems has started a new era in the management of type 1 diabetes during pregnancy.
Large studies such as the AiDAPT trial (22) have shown that pregnant women using a closed-loop system can achieve a higher average TIRp (approximately 68%) than those on conventional therapy, without a higher risk of hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis.
However, the proportion of women who actually achieve >70% TIRp remains limited.
The targets therefore remain challenging, even with this technology.
Currently, only the CamAPS FX (mylife Loop) system is officially approved for use during pregnancy.
Other systems such as MiniMed 780G, Tandem Control-IQ, Omnipod 5, and various open-source closed-loop systems are used off-label, but also yield good results in practice.
The international ADA guideline (2) preferably recommends a system with pregnancy-specific targets (such as CamAPS FX), but other closed-loop systems can be considered - especially if you combine them with “assistive techniques” and have an experienced diabetes team supporting you.
In this blog we'll dive into assistive techniques and ways to tweak today’s closed-loop systems for maximum, aggressive, and safe glucose control.
This isn’t just for pregnant users—anyone wanting tighter glucose control with their closed-loop system might find useful tips here.
General Guidelines for Achieving Very Strict Glucose Control with Closed-Loop Systems
See reference 6-14 below for related studies
Figure 1: shows average rise in total daily insulin dose during pregnancy in 23 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes from the PICLS Study on sensor augmented pump therapy (SAPT) or hybrid closed-loop system (HCL) (5)
1. Optimise settings every 1-2 weeks
Pregnancy changes things fast, and your settings need to keep up. Here’s what to look at:
2. Dial in your diet
Strict glucose control is mostly about what you eat. Think of it as 90% diet, 10% insulin.
3. Bolus before eating
4. Correct highs fast and efficient
5. Avoid over-treating lows
6. Watch out for long basal suspensions
7. Use manual mode if needed (for closed-loop systems without pregnancy-specific glucose targets)
Fine-tuning settings and staying actively involved with the closed-loop system can lead to stricter glucose control and better pregnancy outcomes.
Many of these tips are also useful for anyone who wants tighter glucose control, even outside of pregnancy.
Device-Specific Guidelines for Achieving Strict Glucose Control with Closed-Loop Systems
See reference 17-39 below for related studies
Please note that, except for CamAPS FX (which is approved for use in pregnancy), closed-loop systems are not officially indicated for pregnancy.
The information below is not medical advice—always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to therapy.
1. CamAPS FX (mylife Loop)
Intra/postpartum:
2. MiniMed 780G
Intra/postpartum:
3. Tandem with Control-IQ technology
Intra/postpartum:
4. Omnipod 5
Intra/postpartum:
5. DBLG-1 (Diabeloop)
Intra/postpartum:
6. iLet (Beta Bionics)
Intra/postpartum:
Note: iLet is less aggressive than other closed-loop systems and is generally not preferred in pregnancy.
7. AndroidAPS
Intra/postpartum:
8. DIY Loop / twiist Loop
Intra/postpartum:
Pro tip: Using Other Insulins
Ultra-rapid insulins
Most studies report that ultra-rapid insulins improve postprandial glucose control, yet they do not significantly increase overall Time in Range (40-44).
One trial also found a higher rate of unplanned infusion‐set changes with these formulations (45).
Fiasp® and Lyumjev® are both approved for use in pregnancy and lactation; however, not every insulin pump or closed‐loop system has been tested or labeled for use with these ultra-rapid acting insulins. To date, there are no published studies examining Fiasp® or Lyumjev® within closed-loop systems during pregnancy.
Concentrated insulins (off-label)
During pregnancy, insulin requirements often double. Some pumps have limited reservoir or patch capacity (usually 180–300 units per reservoir), which means frequent renewels may be needed.
To reduce the need for daily or twice-daily changes, some people use concentrated insulin in their pumps (off-label).
Here's how to do this for U200 insulin lispro (Humalog® 200):
Here's how to do this for U500 regular insulin (Humulin® R U500):
If switching insulin concentration in a pump with a learning algorithm (like Omnipod 5), consider resetting the algorithm, using a higher glucose target, or switching to manual mode for a few days to allow the system to adapt safely.
Intra/postpartum
See reference 44-49 below for related studies
Labor and Delivery
Tight glucose control during labor and delivery is linked to lower rates of neonatal hypoglycemia. Glucose targets during this time vary by professional society, but most recommend keeping glucose between 70 and 126 mg/dL (3.9–7.0 mmol/L).
Using insulin pumps—including closed-loop systems—often achieves better glucose control than switching to intravenous (IV) insulin (46). Recent data with the MiniMed 780G system during delivery have been positive (48). The potential use of a closed-loop system during labor should be discussed with all parties involved (the person with diabetes, the diabetes care team, the obstetric team, and the anesthesiologist).
In certain situations, it may still be necessary to opt for intravenous insulin: in cases of inadequate glucose control, critical illness, confusion or unconsciousness, lack of pump supplies, or if the care team is insufficiently familiar with the closed-loop system.
Suggested Instructions for Continuing Closed-Loop Systems During Labor and Delivery
Postpartum & Breastfeeding
Conclusion
Closed-loop systems are now recommended for managing type 1 diabetes during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. These systems improve glucose control and reduce hypoglycemia, but reaching the strict targets—especially a pregnancy Time in Range (TIRp) above 70%—remains challenging, even for well-supported patients.
Although CamAPS FX (myLife Loop) is currently the only closed-loop system officially approved for use during pregnancy, both commercial and open-source closed-loop platforms can offer valuable benefits when deployed thoughtfully and with adequate support.
Closed-loop systems allow more responsive, adaptive insulin delivery in the face of rapidly changing needs during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Alongside the technology, success also depends on attention to basics: accurate carb counting, careful pre-bolusing, and regular setting adjustments as insulin needs change through each trimester and after delivery.
Still, there are barriers—including lack of pregnancy-specific algorithms, regulatory limitations for many devices, and the ongoing need for clinician and user education. Ongoing research, better access, and continuous education for both healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes will be essential to make these benefits available to all who need them.
Closed-loop therapy is quickly becoming the new standard of care for pregnancy in type 1 diabetes. With the right support, it has the potential to transform outcomes for mothers and babies alike.
Want to learn more? Don’t miss Diana Isaacs’ outstanding presentation from the 2024 Diabetes Technology Conference, available as a free webinar via danatech from ADCES. The session is accredited for US healthcare providers and provides a practical, in-depth overview of closed-loop therapy in pregnancy.
Good luck,
Inge
Related studies
General
CamAPS FX
MiniMed 780G
Tandem Control-IQ
Omnipod 5
Diabeloop
AndroidAPS
DIY Loop
Insulins
Delivery
Internist-ZGT/Hoogleraar-Universiteit Twente
3moMerel Reuvekamp