My research focuses on improving care for women and babies affected by diabetes in pregnancy, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes which develops during pregnancy and which normally disappears after delivery of the baby. My research is supported by the Diabetes UK Harry Keen intermediate clinical fellowship and the Future leaders’ Award from the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes in association with the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Women with diabetes have many challenges in pregnancy. Unfortunately, mothers with diabetes and their babies experience higher rates of pregnancy complications including excessive growth (large-for-gestational age), low blood glucose levels at birth (neonatal hypoglycaemia), or need neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Exposure to diabetes antenatally also influences the long-term health of the baby and increases their risks for obesity and diabetes.
My research aims to assess the impact of obesity, diet and weight change upon pregnancy outcomes in women with diabetes. I am also interested in how pregnancy events can influence the baby’s future health. I focus upon understanding the mechanisms of disease in diabetes in pregnancy, and the benefits of potential interventions in order to improve the health of women with diabetes in pregnancy and in later life, and the health of their children.
