Who We Are?

 We are just me at the moment!

I am Nicky.I have had diabetes for 27 years. In the early years of having diabetes, back in the 80s I had 3 children. I am now a midwife and I have a very keen interest in diabetes and pregnancy.

This is my story:

I was diagnosed with diabetes in 1979 justbefore I got married. a year later i was pregnant with my first child. in those days being diabetic and pregnant was a very uncertain condition. It was still quite unusual for diabetics to even be pregnant. There was no home monitoring, insulins were not as refined, no such thing as injection pens. It was not common for a diabetic to have a normal delivery and babys of diabetic mothers were always admitted to special care. However i survived and went on to have 2 more children without any major problems.

However I felt really isolated from other pregnant mums. I had all of my care at the hospital and never saw a midwife of any description. i had no one who had anything in common with me to chat to about diabetes and pregnancy. Aftermy first two pregnancies my diabetes consultant asked me if

I would share my experiences with other diabetic women. Thisworked well and I discovered other women had the same concerns as I had.

I later trained as a midwife and I currently work with women who have high risk pregnancies. Of course I have a special interest in women with diabetes. Obstetric and medical care has improved vasltey over the years and outcomes have improved. BUT I still find that women tell me that the feel they miss out on 'normal' midwifery care, They do not receicve enough information on what to expect in labour, breastfeeding with diabetes and other related issues. I have found that women still feel isolated or even excluded. Therefore they don't always feel they can relax and enjoy their pregnancy.

That is why I have set up this site, so that diabetic women can get together and share their experiences. Ask each other questions and provide each other with support.

I hope it is successful