The experience of women with diabetes in pre-pregnancy, antenatal and postpartum period in Australia

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Diabetes in pregnancy is considered high-risk due to the increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes. It was reported that women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or gestational diabetes (GDM) have fears of complications and lack of psychological support. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women with T1D and GDM during the pre-pregnancy, antenatal, and postpartum periods, compared to women without diabetes. DESIGN/METHODS: Participants who attended the antenatal clinic at the Royal North Shore Hospital were contacted via email. The interviews were semi-structured and one-on-one via phone calls. Transcripts were analysed using an inductive and descriptive coding approach. RESULTS: Seventeen women (6 T1D, 8 GDM, and 3 control) were interviewed. Five main topics were identified: (1) Concerns before conception, (2) Challenges of antenatal diabetes management, (3) Experience in postpartum period, (4) Interactions with healthcare staff, and (5) Supportive family network. Women with T1D had more concerns prior to pregnancy than women with GDM, whereas women with GDM found antenatal diabetes management more challenging than women with T1D. The support received during recovery in hospital after birth was limited due to lack of healthcare staff. CONCLUSION: These findings shed light on the extra burden of pre-pregnancy and antenatal care in women with T1D and GDM. Healthcare systems should adjust models of care accordingly to provide necessary support and alleviate concerns specific to women's pregnancy experiences. Better patient handover between hospitals should be prioritised to improve continuation of care for all women in the postpartum period.