Midwifery and diabetes

Katemcl said:

I’ve had type one diabetes for about 12 years now and I’m just finishing a psychology degree and really want to go into midwifery. However, everyone I speak to says it’s a bad idea because of the shift work? I’m absolutely heartbroken and so confused because I’ve never let my diabetes hold me back and I’d hate for it to ruin something I can see myself loving. I’d love any advice because I’m so stuck.

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Hi - I'm a Consultant Anaesthetist with Type 1; one of our Theatre Sister's is also a Type 1, as is one of our ODPs. You'll find a lot of support in the working environment and your team will be very fortunate to have a Type 1 midwife with the increasing number of pregnant mums with diabetes that we are looking after now. I've found a CGM (Dexcom) incredibly useful. Night shifts need a bit of extra thought with the BG control but are quite manageable. You can always see what the effect is for you now by staying up through the night and sleeping the next day (as if you were doing a shift). A CGM will make it much easier to see what's happening. The very best of luck, and thank you for choosing a career in healthcare. Best wishes, Ian

I am a type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump and have been a qualified midwife for 6 years, I was also diabetic throughout my training. I started using an insulin pump 2 years ago prior to having a baby and this has made my control during shifts much easier. There are ways in which you can adapt shifts to what works best for you for example if night shifts don’t need agree with you then you can work days. I wouldn’t let it hold you back.

kikiwg said:

HI I AM A MIDWIFE AND A TYPE 2 DIABETIC ON INSULIN
it wont be easy shifts are 12 hrs long and you have to fight to get a break to eat and drink, due to pressure of work and staffing levels, once qualified .
its stressful which in combination with shifts and poor diet doesnt help glucose control , in fact my Diabetes was never well controlled until i took early retirement 5 yrs ago now i work 2 days a week .
its a great job but you have to ask yourself is it worth the personal cost ?
lastly midwives have poor understanding of Diabetes its not their speciality , so dont expect understanding

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Yes it may not be their speciality but it’s very untrue & unfair to say all midwives have ‘poor understanding’ of Diabetes.

I am a Type 1 diabetic now using an insulin pump and am also a nurse. I was 24 when diagnosed which is now almost 30 ears ago. I am now part time, and since my sons were born worked nights for many years although I am back to shifts again. I have never had particular problems working the shifts but when at work I test my sugars 3 hourly and before doing any drug rounds. However when I am at work I have not had any particular trouble, although my BG's can swing and go low & high . I get hypo symptoms so recognise if I need to take something. I have more trouble when off than when at work probably because I check my sugars so regularly. It is perfectly possible to work on shifts but you just need work out a method of checking etc that fits around what you need to do. Advice is good but just take what helps you but remember that you need tailor it to you. Good luck

PaigeWeaver93 said:

Yes it may not be their speciality but it’s very untrue & unfair to say all midwives have ‘poor understanding’ of Diabetes.

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I’m a recently retired Midwife and yes ‘all’ is not very fair, I’d replace it with ‘most’ though!
One colleague was chatting with me about my T2 and how long I’ve had it. She went on to ask me if it had turned into proper diabetes yet.

Some of my colleagues who were supposed to specialise in diabetes in pregnancy were sadly lacking in knowledge.