Drive to reduce risks for pregnant diabetics

Nov 17 2007 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

A DRIVE to reduce the risk of complications for diabetic mothers and their babies is under way on Tyneside.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is offering a special pre-conception service for women with type one and two diabetes, providing advice and support to would-be mothers before they conceive.

The clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead will give mothers-to-be advice and support to improve their diabetes before they even become pregnant.

Treatment started before pregnancy means expectant mothers can reduce the rate of complications in pregnancy including early delivery, babies with disabilities or caesarean section.

Consultant endocrinologist at the QE Hospital, Dr Jolanta Weaver said: “It really does make sense to seek advice before trying to conceive because, while complications can be serious, the risks can be reduced by making sure diabetes is under control before becoming pregnant.

“Some of the treatments such as high-dose folic acid need to be started at least three months before baby is conceived to reduce the risk of spinal problems such as spina bifida and can only be obtained on prescription.”

GPs are being urged to send women considering starting a family to the Wednesday morning clinic being at the hospital.

Participants’ current medication would also be checked at the Women’s Health Clinic where a midwife, obstetrician, diabetologist, dietician and a diabetes specialist nurse would have regular contact with the women by telephone, e-mail or appointments.

The women are offered continuing support in their efforts to prepare for pregnancy and so can be given an early appointment in the Obstetric Medicine Clinic once they have a positive pregnancy test.

All patients seen in the preconception clinic receive a copy of the regional standards for care of diabetics in pregnancy so that they can understand which tests and visits to expect.

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Help and support result in healthy baby

JOANNE Dodd from Gateshead was diagnosed with type one diabetes 18 years ago.

The 24-year-old injects herself four times a day with insulin to control her condition, and gave birth to her first baby Rosin three weeks ago at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being monitored by the pregnancy team.

She said the doctors explained that if her blood sugar levels weren’t controlled, her baby could have birth defects or be premature. Doctors and Joanne’s diabetes nurse made sure her blood sugar levels were kept stable and she had weekly phone calls offering advice and support.

She said: “It was a great help to know that all the advice, guidance and support I needed was at hand.

“I can imagine that if I had been in the dark about the dangers, I would have been very anxious but Michelle Hook was always there if I needed to know anything. It really made a big difference knowing I was in safe hands.”

Joanne is now urging others diabetic mothers to attend the clinic.

She said: “It was really reassuring as this is my first baby and I’ve always been in control of my diabetes but the pregnancy sends it all to pot.

“If you go before you conceive, they give you any information to keep your diabetes on track and make sure you have the best chance possible of having a healthy baby.”