Pregnant women advised to dim lights before bed to reduce diabetes risk

Pregnant women were advised to try to put their phones away in the hours before bed. Photograph: VikaValter/Getty Images

While reading until the small hours or scrolling under the covers are common bedtime habits, pregnant women might want to switch off sooner to reduce their risk of developing gestational diabetes, researchers have suggested.

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, gestational diabetes affects at least four to five in 100 women during pregnancy. If it is not well controlled it can lead to complications, including health problems for the baby.