Improving care in pregnancy after reproductive loss in women with diabetes: an interdisciplinary exploration of patient experiences and health profess

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Background: Women with diabetes have an increased risk of pregnancy ending in miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death, but risks can be reduced with careful pregnancy preparation. There has been a growing awareness and understanding of the bereavement process following reproductive loss, however, specific discussion of planning and preparing for another pregnancy is lacking in existing guidance. There is currently a gap in understanding of how postnatal bereavement support should consider the context of diabetes and link with support for preparation for a subsequent pregnancy. Aim: To investigate, using qualitative methods, experiential perspectives of parents and health professionals on preparing for pregnancy after reproductive loss, in the context of diabetes. The focus will be on the period between the postnatal review following the loss of a baby and the first antenatal appointment in the next pregnancy. Methods: Building on the MSc, the doctoral study will comprise four integrated phases: 1) literature review of research studies and published guidance on inter-pregnancy care after reproductive loss; 2) semi-structured interviews with health professionals; 3) semi-structured interviews with women with diabetes, and their partners, who have experienced reproductive loss and have successfully completed a further pregnancy; 4) Integration of findings and recommendation development. Outputs/Impact: The research will further develop social science understandings of reproductive loss in the context of diabetes. Collaboration with Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, will enhance knowledge transfer and communication of the findings, to improve support for women with diabetes who have lost a baby during or shortly after pregnancy.