Expectations and experiences regarding family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood in women with type 1 diabetes – A qualitative study

TL;DR

Women with type 1 diabetes face unique challenges in family planning and pregnancy, and they need personalized support and guidance from healthcare providers.

Contribution

This study provides new qualitative insights into the expectations and experiences of women with type 1 diabetes regarding family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood.

Findings

Women with T1D expressed significant concerns and uncertainties about family planning and pregnancy.

They emphasized the need for individualized and sensitive support from healthcare providers.

Motherhood was seen as closely intertwined with diabetes management.

Abstract

Optimal treatment and support in family planning for women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and follow-up during pregnancy are important, however, there is limited knowledge from the women’s perspective on their considerations of family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood.

To explore expectations and experiences of family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood among women with T1D.

We employed a qualitative study design with semi-structured interviews.

We conducted semi-structured individual interviews (June to November 2022) with 17 women with T1D aged 18–45 at a diabetes outpatient clinic in Norway. We analyzed the data using thematic analysis.

Four main themes, each with sub-themes, linked to a timeline from planning the pregnancy to becoming a mother were identified: (1) Existential considerations in family planning; (2) Ambiguous information sources and the need for individualized guidance about pregnancy and T1D; (3) Preparations for pregnancy and balancing uncertainties during pregnancy; and (4) Motherhood intertwined with diabetes. Overall, the women expressed a need for support in handling and managing their glucose control in the phase of family planning, during pregnancy, and when preparing for the role of mother.

Women with T1D reported many worries and concerns related to family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood, and thus, individualized information and support related to diabetes and reproductive health should be an integrated part of follow-up care. Women with T1D seem to have high expectations and strong commitment to their diabetes self-management during pregnancy, conditional on support and guidance from health care providers (HCPs). A sensitive approach from HCPs in clinical consultations is vital to meet the individual woman’s need for support. More research about reproductive health in women with T1D is needed, especially regarding how motherhood and diabetes intersect in everyday life.

Expecatations and experiences regarding family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood in women with type 1 diabetes

Why was the study done? Women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have higher risk for complications in pregnancy than others, and family planning and optimal gestational care are important to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. More knowledge from the women’s perspective on their considerations of family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood related to T1D is needed. What did the researchers do? The research team conducted a qualitative study with individual interviews with 17 women with T1D aged 18–45 at a diabetes outpatient clinic, to explore expectations and experiences of family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood. What did the research find? The women with T1D had many thoughts and concerns related to family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood. They expressed high expectations and strong commitment to their diabetes self-management during pregnancy, and support and guidance from health care providers were considered important. What do the findings mean? Individualized information and guidance related to diabetes and reproductive health should be an integrated part of follow-up care. A sensitive approach from healthcare providers in clinical consultations is vital, to meet the individual woman’s need for support.

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