Mater Hospital launches Australian-first model of care for diabetic pregnant mums
Pregnant Brisbane women with diabetes will be able to enjoy midwifery-led care for the first time thanks to an Australian-first model of care being launched by Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
South West
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Pregnant Brisbane women with diabetes will be able to enjoy midwifery-led care for the first time with the launch of an Australian-first model of care being launched by a local Hospital.
Mothers-to-be with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes had typically been unable to participate in Midwifery Group Practices (MGP) for antenatal care because their pregnancies were deemed high risk.
Mater Mothers’ new Obstetric Midwifery Group Practice (OMGP) would support diabetic women through a hybrid care model which combined a traditional midwifery group practice with an extra layer of obstetric care.
Researcher Maria Oliveri, who helped develop the new model of care, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after her first child was born.
She said the clinic would improve the health of women managing their pregnancy and symptoms associated with the disease.
Mrs Oliveri, 33, of Morningside, developed Type 1 diabetes after the arrival of her eldest son Joshua, now six.
She was due to give birth to her third baby in October.
“When I gave birth to Joshua I went through a traditional Midwifery Group Practice and loved it,” Mrs Oliveri said.
“When I had my second baby William three years ago I had developed Type 1 diabetes and was referred to a high-risk, obstetrician-led model of care, which is what I am doing for my third baby.
“My first pregnancy was low risk and I felt so empowered as the care focused on my pregnancy and my baby.
“My second pregnancy was very different. I felt my Type 1 diabetes was the focus of my pregnancy.
“I had to explain my situation to a different doctor each and every time.
“It was somewhat frustrating and I didn’t feel all of the joy I had felt in my first pregnancy.”
Mrs Oliveri, who previously worked as a midwife in an MGP, said the Mater’s new practice would give mums a consistency of care they deserved.
“Expectant mums will find comfort in knowing midwives will be part of their journey during pregnancy and birth, as well as follow-up appointments,” she said.
Mater Associate Professor Shelley Wilkinson said traditional Midwifery Group Practices accepted women with low-risk pregnancies and provided excellent outcomes and continuity of care for women and babies.
“Midwifery Group Practices are a brilliant, evidence-based model of care in which low-risk women are allocated a primary midwife who provides their care throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and post-natal period,” Associate Professor Wilkinson said.
“Unfortunately, many women are unable to participate due to pre-existing illnesses and conditions like Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and cardiac and renal complications.”
After collecting nine-months of baseline data from women using the current model-of-care, Mater researchers will review clinical outcomes and analyse the findings to inform the Obstetric Midwifery Group Practice pilot program, which is set to launch later this year.
“We have been looking at things like how many of these babies spent time in the special care nursery,” Associate Professor Wilkinson said.
“We will also survey these women six weeks after they give birth to get their full reflection on the model.”
Mater Mothers’ Hospital Director of Obstetric Medicine Dr Jo Laurie said eligible women would be offered a place in the program when they booked their antenatal care.
“The early days of pregnancy are absolutely critical for women with diabetes as high blood glucose levels during the embryonic stage can lead to problems with the baby,” Dr Laurie said.
“Obstetric Midwifery Group Practice midwives will help navigate the care journey for these higher risk pregnancies.
“Too often, women fall the through the cracks when they’re going to a range of different services.
“In the Obstetric Midwifery Group Practice, a midwife will provide full wraparound care by attending appointments with women when they see members of the treating team, such as the obstetrician and obstetric medicine physician.
“We believe that this will create a better journey for women.
“By having the same skilled midwives caring for these more complex women during labour, it will hopefully keep these babies out of the special care nursery and with their mums for that precious early bonding time.”