Preconception care for women with diabetes: the midwife's role

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness which affects a significant number of childbearing women. Despite the potential for adverse consequences for both maternal and fetal wellbeing, few women with diabetes plan their pregnancies to ensure that they enter pregnancy in optimal health. Furthermore, while adverse pregnancy outcomes are well documented for women with type I diabetes, it is now apparent that an increasing number of women with type II diabetes are becoming pregnant with similar adverse associated risk. There is an increasing recognition that significant adverse pregnancy outcomes are determined before a woman initiates pregnancy care, many of which could be minimized with the introduction of preconception care. As formalized preconception care clinics remain scant across the UK, there is an urgent need to increase the opportunities for the provision of preconception care and advice to women with diabetes. Midwives are ideally placed to provide preconception advice to women and could provide the missing link in terms of preconception advice for women with diabetes.