Diabetes in pregnancy: a practical guide for midwives
Diabetes is a growing concern. With the rising incidence of obesity in the younger people, the incidence of diabetes has also increased. This has resulted in more women of childbearing age attending antenatal clinic with a diagnosis of either pre-existing or gestational diabetes. This article provides a concise guide to the management of diabetes in pregnancy for midwives, who are often the first point of contact for these women. Read more...
This article will discuss the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes, as well as methods of screening, diagnosis, and intervention; increased knowledge and optimisation of which have the potential to slow the amplifying intergenerational cycle of these conditions. Read more...
Postnatal care of women with diabetes
Midwives have reported a deficit in their knowledge regarding postnatal care of women with diabetes. In this article, the challenges of maternity care for women with diabetes are highlighted, and the specific midwifery role in some aspects of postnatal care is discussed. Read more...
Reducing diabetes-related complications in pregnancy
Women with pre-existing type 1 and 2 diabetes have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, fetal congenital anomaly and perinatal death. There is a further group of women who develop diabetes during pregnancy, who are also at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This article outlines the background to diabetes, preconception care and the management and prevention of complications throughout pregnancy. Read more...
Supporting women with diabetes to breastfeed
When pregnancy is complicated by diabetes, there are specific challenges to breastfeeding, including delayed lactogenesis II, neonatal hypoglycaemia and separation of mothers and infants because of admissions to neonatal intensive care. Practices that are supportive of breastfeeding can reduce some of these challenges. Read more...
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