Recent research looked at how women living with pre-existing diabetes manage it during pregnancy and what support they need. The researchers involved are McMaster’s School of Nursing PhD student Katelyn Sushko and Associate Professors Patricia Strachan, Michelle Butt, and Diana Sherifali, as well as University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine Associate Professor, Kara Nerenberg. They conducted interviews with 12 women who had pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes during their pregnancy.

Four main themes appeared from the study; these women often felt scared, alone, overwhelmed, and that they had less control over the management of their diabetes. The women said to help combat these challenges, they felt they needed personalized healthcare that considered their needs and their mental health, as well as support from other women going through the same thing and from their healthcare providers.

Study findings show that by providing better support and individualized care, women with diabetes in pregnancy can have a significantly better experience and feel less isolated. They suggest that healthcare providers should not treat all women with diabetes the same way, but instead tailor their care to each woman’s specific needs. For example, policy and decision-makers should assess current clinical management protocols and consider the use of patient self-management of insulin administration, particularly during labour and delivery. Additionally, early facilitated peer support, where women can talk to others who are going through the same thing, would be very helpful.

Overall, this study shows that women with diabetes in pregnancy face unique challenges and need specific support to manage their diabetes and have a healthy pregnancy. By addressing these needs, healthcare providers can improve the experience and outcomes for these women.