Contraception: advice for people with diabetes

Indicator type

General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.

Rationale

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with risks to the woman and the developing fetus. Miscarriage, pre‑eclampsia and preterm labour are more common in women with pre‑existing diabetes and diabetic retinopathy can worsen rapidly during pregnancy. Stillbirth, congenital malformations, macrosomia, birth injury, perinatal mortality and postnatal adaptation problems (such as hypoglycaemia) are more common in babies born to women with pre‑existing diabetes.

This indicator measures the percentage of women with diabetes who have received pregnancy, conception or contraceptive advice tailored to their reproductive intentions. It aims to ensure that pregnancies are planned and any associated risks are minimised, thereby improving the pregnancy outcomes among these women.

Source guidance

Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period. NICE guideline NG3 (2015), recommendation 1.1.3

Specification

Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator who have a record of being given information and advice about pregnancy or conception or contraception tailored to their pregnancy and contraceptive intentions recorded in the preceding 12 months.

Denominator: The number of women on the diabetes register aged 17 or over and who have not attained the age of 45.

Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.

Exclusions: None

Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-6090-3