Review of Patient Perspectives and Psychosocial Experiences With Automated Insulin Delivery in Pregnancy With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Pregnancy adds unique medical and psychosocial complexity to the management of type 1 diabetes (TID). Automated insulin delivery (AID) use in pregnancy increasingly shows promise both in improving clinical outcomes and the patient experience for individuals living with T1D. Survey and qualitative data on psychosocial correlates of AID use in pregnancy demonstrate patient benefits compared with other glucose management strategies (such as multiple daily injections, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, or sensor-augmented pump therapy). Benefits include improved patient well-being, flexibility, and improved collaboration with health care provider teams. However, burdens have also been identified, including technical glitches, device maintenance, device bulk/visibility, frequent alarms, and the overwhelming quantity of available data. This review describes the lived experiences and perspectives of pregnant individuals with T1D using AID systems. Ongoing education and support for both patients and providers may help to maximize the psychosocial benefits of AID use and reduce potentially negative aspects for pregnant individuals with T1D. While AID represents a significant opportunity for optimizing glucose management for individuals with T1D, both patients and providers need to have realistic expectations based on evidence of what such systems can and cannot do.