Griffiths, Frances, Lowe, Pam, Boardman, Felicity K., Ayre, Catherine and Gadsby, Roger. (2008) Becoming pregnant : exploring the perspectives of women living with diabetes. British Journal of General Practice, Vol.58 (No.548). pp. 184-190. ISSN 0960-1643

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Abstract

Background: The risk of adverse pregnancy outcome for women with type 1 diabetes is reduced through tight diabetes control. Most women enter pregnancy with inadequate blood glucose control. Interview studies with women suggest the concept of 'planned' and 'unplanned' pregnancies is unhelpful. Aim: To explore women's accounts of their journeys to becoming pregnant while living with type I diabetes. Design of study: Semi-structured interviews with 15 women living with pre-gestational type 1 diabetes, between 20 and 30 weeks gestation and with a normal pregnancy ultrasound scan. Setting: Four UK specialist diabetes antenatal clinics. Method: Interviews explored women's journeys to becoming pregnant and the impact of health care. Analysis involved comparison of women's accounts of each pregnancy and a thematic analysis. Results: Women's experiences of becoming pregnant were diverse. Of the 40 pregnancies described, at least one positive step towards becoming pregnant was taken by 11 women in 23 pregnancies but not in the remaining 17 pregnancies, with variation between pregnancies. Prior to and in early pregnancy, some women described themselves as experts in their diabetes but most described seeking and/or receiving advice from their usual health professionals. Three women described pre-conception counselling and the anxiety this provoked. Conclusion: For women living with type 1 diabetes each pregnancy is different. The concept of planned and unplanned pregnancy is unhelpful for designing health care. Formal preconception counselling can have unintended consequences. Those providing usual care to women are well positioned to provide advice and support to women about becoming pregnant, tailoring it to the changing needs and situation of each woman.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Diabetes in pregnancy -- Case studies, Conception, Health counseling, Preconception care, Pregnancy, Medical history taking
Journal or Publication Title:	British Journal of General Practice
Publisher:	Royal College of General Practitioners
ISSN:	0960-1643
Date:	March 2008
Volume:	Vol.58
Number:	No.548
Number of Pages:	7
Page Range:	pp. 184-190
Identification Number:	10.3399/bjgp08X277294
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Diabetes UK (BDA)
Grant number:	RD06/0003245 (BDA)
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/30237

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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