CAPRE-DM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Contraception and Pregnancy in Diabetes Mellitus
IRAS ID
274613
Contact name
Rochan Agha-Jaffar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 0 days
Research summary
Women with poorly controlled diabetes are at risk of a number of complications during pregnancy. For the mother, there is a risk of worsening nephropathy and retinopathy, worsening hypoglycaemia, particularly in the 1st trimester, an increased risk of pre-eclampsia and placental dysfunction. For the baby, there is an increased risk of congenital abnormalities, particularly of the heart, a risk or increased fetal growth which can lead to birth trauma including shoulder dystocia, and increased risk of still birth.
All women with diabetes should be aware of these risks, so that they can make an informed decision about fertility and pregnancy. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence had a number of recommendations for women with diabetes of reproductive age. It recommends that all women with diabetes planning a pregnancy are given pre-conception counselling; that those who wish for a pregnancy optimise their glycaemic control prior to conception; those who have poor control are encouraged to avoid pregnancy; and those who do not wish to become pregnant are given appropriate contraceptive advice.
However, the National Diabetes in Pregnancy Audit shows that women with diabetes are poorly prepared for pregnancy with suboptimal diabetes control, and there are many women with diabetes who have poor pregnancy outcomes. This project aims to determine what women with diabetes who are of reproductive age know about planning pregnancy and the risks associated with an unplanned pregnancy, as well as their knowledge about contraception. This may provide information that can help improve clinical services to women with diabetes who could become pregnant, and ultimately may improve personal and pregnancy outcomes for women with diabetes.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NE/0081
Date of REC Opinion
6 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion