Managing diabetes in pregnant women in the UAE
Midwives to learn techniques and optimal methodology to manage pregnant woman with diabetes at Obs-Gyne Exhibition and Congress
- (1888PressRelease) March 14, 2011 - Dubai, UAE - Diabetes can cause significant complications during pregnancy and with the incidence of diabetes increasing dramatically in the region, the role of midwives is becoming ever more significant when managing pregnant women with diabetes. In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 13.5% of the UAE population was diabetic, the second highest prevalence in the world. And with this figure is expected to rise significantly by 2030, it is essential for midwives to be aware of the techniques and optimal methodology to manage pregnant woman with diabetes.
The Obs-Gyne Exhibition and Congress, organised by the Life Sciences Division of IIR Middle East and supported by the UAE Ministry of Health and Dubai Health Authority, will take place from 3-5 April 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and running alongside for the second time, the Midwifery Conference (4-5 April) will cover topics of interest to the midwifery practice within the UAE and the region.
"Hyperglycemia in pregnancy is the most common medical complication of pregnancy associated with both maternal and neonatal complication," says Sophia Samuel, Diabetes Nurse Educator, Welcare Hospital and speaker at the conference. "It is linked with higher rates of cesarean section and difficult labour. Poor control of diabetes later in pregnancy also increases the risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm labour.
"Obesity during pregnancy is another cause for concern leading to higher overall healthcare expenditures, measured by length of stay after delivery and use of other services. Obesity negatively affects the health of pregnant women in many ways as it is usually linked with higher rates of cesarean sections and other obstetrical complications such as hypertension."
The role of midwives is vital when managing pregnant women with diabetes. Strict control of blood sugars in the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum period is essential and neonates of women with diabetes or gestational diabetes will require special care.
According to Ms Samuel: "Midwives taking care of such patients should be able to identify the risk related to this group. They must be prepared to identify and manage maternal and fetal complications, and to recognise the signs and symptoms of neonatal emergencies. Midwives should all have the ability to provide specialised care to neonates to enhance positive outcomes."
The Midwifery Conference has been divided into two main stream; management of healthy pregnant women as well as management of high risk pregnancies. The former will focus on topics such as latest evidence based antenatal care, the midwife's role in promoting normal birth and implementation of latest evidence in midwife practice. It will also provide an overview of the various accreditation systems granted to maternity facilities to illustrate the importance of quality assurance and continuous improvement in the maternal facilities. The second day will focus on the midwife's role in management of women with high risk pregnancies. As well as the management of pregnant women with diabetes, this conference stream will also look at the management of thalasemia, sickle cell anemia and neonatal asphyxia. A workshop on 'Ethics in Midwifery Practice' will also be presented by Dr. Joyce Thompson from Western Michigan University Bronson School of Nursing, an international expert in ethics, human rights and safe motherhood policy.
"This year the Annual Arabic Congress in Obstetrics and Gynaecology will be incorporated with the 2011 edition of the Obs-Gyne Exhibition and Congress," says Dr Shamsa Al Awar, Senior Consultant Ob-Gyn at the Al Ain Hospital and representative of the Arab Association of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Societies (AAOGS) in the UAE. "Combining the two events will create the largest ever gathering of obstetricians and gynaecologists the Middle East Region has ever seen, drawing regional and international experts from around the world. This dedicated industry forum will provide an unparalleled platform in the Middle East to deliver a pioneering scientific programme facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience in this field of medicine."
For more information about the Midwifery Conference or the Breast Cancer Conference, both running alongside the Obs-Gyne Exhibition and Congress, please call +971 (0)4 4072 743 or visit www.obs-gyne.com.
About IIR Middle East:
For more information about IIR Middle East, please visit www.iirme.com.
About Welcare Hospital:
For more information about Welcare Hospital, please visit www.welcarehospital.com.
About AAOGS:
For more information about AAOGS, please visit www.arabog.org
For media enquiries please contact:
Inga Stevens
PR Manager
Life Science Division
IIR Middle East
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021
inga.stevens ( @ ) iirme dot com
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