Diabetes and pregnancy: women's opinions about the care provided during the childbearing year.

Scand J Caring Sci; 2009 Diabetes and pregnancy: women's opinions about the care provided during the childbearing yearBackground: The extended programmes for pregnant women with diabetes, needed to improve pregnancy outcome, might negatively influence the experience of expecting a baby. Aim: To investigate opinions about care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period among women with diabetes mellitus (DM) and gestational DM (GDM). Method: A four-part questionnaire was constructed, covering the childbearing year, with a focus on treatment and information. A total of 156 women were asked to participate (53 DM, 103 GDM), three refused. The questionnaire was anonymous. Results: The reply frequency was 94%. Of all answers, 95% fell in neutral-satisfied range (Lickert scale 2-5). Three answering patterns deviated positively (care on Specialist Antenatal Clinic, accessibility, and participation-responsibility-respect). Four patterns deviated negatively (information flow, preparation, postpartum care and postpartum check-up). Increased supervision caused problems with time for the family and at work. Comments showed focus on diabetes, forcing the healthy pregnancy aspects into the background. The answers concerning treatment indicated satisfaction (4 + 5 Lickert scale). Women with GDM felt badly prepared before the glucose tolerance test. It was doubtful whether they had been able to make an informed choice about participating. Lack of knowledge among staff was pointed out. Need for more written material was expressed. Conclusion: Satisfaction with care was shown. A discussion about the implication of informed choice with both staff and mothers are needed. Sharper implementation of the diabetes-care-chain was also an area for improvement.