Outpatient clinic for pregnancy care

The outpatient clinic for pregnancy care treats pregnant women diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the treatment is to achieve better diabetes regulation during the pregnancy, where insulin sensitivity varies during the three trimesters. Other pregnancy examinations take place at the obstetrics clinic in either Rigshospitalet or Glostrup Hospital.
The pregnancy team consists of a senior consultant, two diabetes nurses and one clinical dietician.

Counselling before pregnancy
Women of child-bearing age are given advice on pregnancy and diabetes. The purpose is to avoid unplanned pregnancies among those with poorly regulated diabetes and to ensure that women have been informed of the target for Hba1c before becoming pregnant. (The target for Hba1c must be below 38 mmol/mol).


The procedure in the outpatient clinic for pregnancy care

• Women are referred to the clinic when pregnancy has been confirmed
• Women are seen every 2 weeks until gestational week 30
• From gestational week 30, women are seen every week until giving birth

If special needs arise earlier in the pregnancy, the woman is seen every week.

A typical visit to the clinic

• Consultation and advice in relation to diabetes during pregnancy
• Blood sugar measurement (HbA1c) and insulin regulation
• Dietary advice
• Advice on and prevention of low blood sugar and insulin events
• Screening for pre-eclampsia
• Screening for the development of diabetes-related complications
• Information on post-natal physiological changes, with focus on breastfeeding and low blood sugar

• Motherhood for women with diabetes
• Advice on insulin regulation when breastfeeding
• Avoiding low blood sugar events
• Post-natal reactions
• Contraception
• Targets for blood sugar regulation
• Assessment of psychosocial needs
• Agreement on a final visit to the outpatient clinic for pregnancy care two months after giving birth.