First natural birth supported by artificial pancreas

A UK woman with Type 1 diabetes has become the first in the world to use the artificial pancreas to help her give birth naturally.

Catriona Finlayson-Wilkins gave birth to her son Euan at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital last week.

The artificial pancreas, which was developed by JDRF-funded researchers at the University of Cambridge, combines a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump to automatically manage blood glucose levels.

It has previously been used in three other pregnancies, but all three women gave birth by caesarean section.

They and Ms Finlayson-Wilkins were part of a study looking at whether the pioneering technology can help support pregnant women with diabetes in managing their blood glucose levels.

Although good management of blood glucose levels is important at all stages of life, it is especially vital during pregnancy to minimise the risks to mother and baby. However, pregnancy can also make managing blood glucose levels much more difficult.

Dr Helen Murphy, who led the trial, said: “Treating diabetes in pregnancy can be particularly challenging because hormone levels are constantly changing and blood sugars can be difficult to predict.”

She said that she hopes the trial will show the benefits of the artificial pancreas during pregnancy for women with Type 1 diabetes, adding: “It’s an exciting new technology that may help us to treat diabetes in pregnancy and create a group of healthier mothers and babies.”

Although this trial is no longer recruiting, Dr Murphy is also running another study looking at the benefits of continuous glucose monitors during pregnancy. If you would like to take part in that trial, you can find more information by clicking here.

In addition, if you have Type 1 diabetes and are thinking of starting a family, you can download JDRF’s free pregnancy toolkit by clicking here.