Perspectives of women living with type 1 diabetes regarding preconception and antenatal care: A qualitative evidence synthesis

INTRODUCTION

Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes may have an increased risk of complications for both the baby and themselves. Educational programmes, preconception planning, strict glycemic control and comprehensive medical care are some of the antenatal interventions that have been proposed to improve the outcomes of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. While some evidence-based recommendations about antenatal care are included in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), the views, and experiences of women with type 1 diabetes about these interventions are not well known.

AIM

To understand and synthesize the perceptions of women with type 1 diabetes about the interventions before pregnancy.

METHOD

A qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) was carried out with a framework analysis guided by the Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group approach. Three online databases (Medline, Embase and Web of Science) were searched. We included qualitative articles that were published from 2011 to 2021 and which were available in English or Spanish.

FINDINGS

Ten references met the inclusion criteria of the study and were included. Three main themes were identified: (a) acceptability of antenatal care, (b) feasibility and implementation consideration and (c) equity and accessibility difficulties.

CONCLUSION

Continuity of care, coordination between health professionals and services, and a more holistic approach are the key aspects women say need to be considered for more acceptable, feasible and equitable preconception and antenatal care.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This QES was carried out as part of the CPGs on diabetes mellitus type 1, carried out as part of the Spanish Network of Health Technology Assessment Agencies. In this CPG, the representatives of the patient associations are Francisco Javier Darias Yanes, from the Association for Diabetes of Tenerife, who has participated in all the phases of the CPG; Aureliano Ruiz Salmón and Julián Antonio González Hernández (representatives of the Spanish Diabetes Federation (FEDE) who have participated as collaborator and external reviewer, respectively.

Preconception care for women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus: a mixed-methods study exploring uptake of preconception care

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem and one of the most common medical conditions in pregnancy. A wide range of modifiable risk factors are associated with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, and it is widely acknowledged that preconception care (PCC) is beneficial for women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus. However, uptake of PCC services is low.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review qualitative research on PCC for women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus of childbearing age, identify facilitators of and barriers to uptake of PCC and establish themes and gaps in knowledge. Through qualitative interviews explore views on the provision of, and facilitators of and barriers to the uptake of, PCC.

DESIGN

Mixed methods encompassing a systematic review and qualitative interviews.

SETTING

Two secondary care sites and 11 primary care sites.

PARTICIPANTS

Women of childbearing age with pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) of white British or Pakistani origin.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

ANALYSIS

A narrative synthesis of the literature using thematic analysis and a thematic analysis of the qualitative interview data using the method of constant comparison.

RESULTS

Eighteen qualitative studies were included in the systematic review and a quality appraisal was carried out using relevant criteria for qualitative research appraisal, including a narrative summary of study quality. Twelve interviews with women with pre-existing T1DM or T2DM were carried out. This fell short of the original aim of interviewing 48 women owing to challenges in recruitment, especially in primary care. A synthesis of these data shows that uptake of PCC is influenced by a range of factors, including the complexity of pregnancy planning, the skill and expertise of health professionals who provide care to women with diabetes mellitus, the role of health professionals in the delivery of PCC, and the quality of relationships between women and health professionals.

LIMITATIONS

Owing to significant challenges with recruitment of participants, particularly in primary care, 12 interviews with women with pre-existing T1DM or T2DM were carried out, which fell short of the a priori sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconceptualising PCC to place greater emphasis on pregnancy planning, fertility and contraception would lower some of the existing barriers to uptake of care. It is important to clarify who is responsible for the delivery of PCC to women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus and to ensure that the correct expertise is available so that opportunities for advice giving are maximised. Relationships between women and health professionals should be based on a partnership approach that encourages mutual trust and respect, focusing on positive change rather than negative outcomes.

FUTURE WORK

Further research is needed to investigate the views and experiences of stakeholders that commission, design and deliver PCC services for women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus; to explore experiences of women from minority or ethnically diverse backgrounds; to investigate the role of family support in contraception, pregnancy planning and PCC; and to investigate the management of diabetes mellitus in neonatal care and its role in breastfeeding.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42014015592 and ISRCTN12983949.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

The future role for a diabetes specialist midwife

In the United Kingdom diabetes is now the most common, pre-existing medical disorder in pregnancy [Jincoe A. Diabetes: monitoring maternal and fetal wellbeing. Br J Midwifery 2006;14(2):91-4], and still continues to have associated risks for the mother, fetus and neonate [Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health. Diabetes in pregnancy: are we providing the best care? Findings of a national enquiry: England, Wales and Northern Ireland. London: CEMACH; 2007]. Worldwide diabetes is becoming more prevalent [Macfarlane A. Diabetes and pregnancy. Br Med J 2006;333(7560):157-8] and there is the added new phenomenon of the increase in Type 2 diabetes in the childbearing population. The midwifery role in such pregnancies has come under question as some units have Diabetes Specialist Midwives and some do not and midwifery care is presently varied [Miller A. Diabetes: lessons for midwives. Pract Midwife 2005;8(11):4-5]. This review will specifically seek to address the midwifery role in relation to this client group with complex needs. It will explore how a specialist midwifery post could have an impact on improving care, how the role is developing and future perspectives. Aspects on how midwifery care is delivered to women with diabetes in the United Kingdom will be discussed and a brief international insight relayed.