Innovative education programme for women affected by gestational diabetes across Leicestershire and Rutland to close in a month

Time is running out for women across Leicestershire and Rutland who have a history of gestational diabetes to access an innovative NHS-approved education programme designed to help them prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.

Babysteps digital will not be available to access after Friday, March 17, 2023, so women who have had gestational diabetes in a recent pregnancy and living in either of these two counties are being encouraged to sign up to the programme before it closes.

Developed by the multi-disciplinary team at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, Babysteps is the first digital programme of its kind to offer support and advice to women at risk of developing type 2 diabetes as a result of gestational diabetes.

Babysteps is closing next month to give researchers the opportunity to review the innovative programme.

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases seven-fold following a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. It is estimated that up to 50 per cent of women with, or have previously had, gestational diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes in the future, and Babysteps can help to reduce this risk.

Professor Kamlesh Khunti CBE, Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre and Professor of Primary Care, Diabetes and Vascular Medicine said: “With almost 50 per cent of all women who have or previously had gestational diabetes going on to develop type 2 diabetes in the future, it is vitally important that digital health innovations like Babysteps are available to help people to reduce their risk.

“Babysteps provides digital high-quality information that is designed to fit around busy lifestyles and family commitments.”

The Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) is a collaborative partnership between the NHS and the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and is based at the Leicester General Hospital.

Babysteps is supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (East Midlands and North West London). Babysteps is offered in conjunction with Xyla Health, which delivers Healthier You as part of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. This is part of the national programme helping people to prevent type 2 diabetes.

To access Babysteps visit www.babysteps.fit.

Photo by Cassidy Rowell on Unsplash