'Artificial pancreas' offered to pregnant diabetics at HDUHB
Hywel Dda University Health Board has introduced this technology, which is made up of an insulin pump, a glucose sensor, and an advanced algorithm running on a mobile phone application.
The artificial pancreas will then calculate and deliver precise insulin dosages required before and during pregnancy.
Dr Lisa Forrest, consultant physician, diabetes and general medicine at Hywel Dda, said: "Women with type 1 diabetes often have difficulties managing their glucose levels before and during pregnancy.
"This can result in complications for newborns, such as premature birth, high birth weight, and the need for intensive care.
"However, reducing blood glucose levels before and during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of serious adverse outcomes, including birth defects, stillbirth, and neonatal death.
"This 'artificial pancreas' can transform these women's experience of pregnancy – helping to make this special time in a woman's life less stressful and more enjoyable."
The Hywel Dda diabetes team had training on the technology in July and November 2024 and were excited to be one of the first hospitals in Wales to routinely offer the technology to all new pregnancies affected by type 1 diabetes.
In December 2024, eight women living with type 1 diabetes who were pregnant or planning pregnancy were started on the Ypsopump (insulin pump) alongside the hybrid closed-loop CAM APS FX algorithm.
Dr Forrest said: "A report published in 2023 looked at the use of 'artificial pancreas' technology with the insulin pump and the CAM APS FX hybrid closed loop algorithm during pregnancy.
"Compared to traditional insulin therapy methods, women who used the technology during pregnancy spent more time with their glucose levels in the pregnancy target range, were less likely to have blood pressure complications during pregnancy and gained less weight.
"They also reported that using the system lessened the physical, mental and emotional demands of managing their diabetes and increased their confidence to reach glucose targets, improved sleep and decreased their stress and anxiety."
Michelle Jones, from Milford Haven, is one of the mums-to-be who benefited from the artificial pancreas treatment.
She said: "The artificial pancreas just changed everything really.
"Sometimes if your blood sugar levels aren't in range, it gives you that confidence, that bit of reassurance that it's going to help you correct your levels.
"It's given me tighter control with my glucose levels."
Mark Henwood, interim medical director at Hywel Dda, said: "I am very proud of the ground-breaking work being done by our amazing diabetes team.
"The artificial technology will transform the experiences of women living with type 1 diabetes and help make their pregnancy a safer, less stressful experience."
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