The language we use in maternity care has power. When supporting women living with diabetes, our words can either build confidence and trust—or unintentionally create anxiety, shame or stigma.

This webinar focuses on why language matters, how it impacts women’s experiences of care, and how midwives can use professional, supportive and empathetic communication to improve outcomes.

Terms that imply blame, failure or judgement, often unintentionally can increase distress. Person‑centred language helps shift the focus from “what’s wrong” to “how can we support you”.  As midwives or MSWs, we communicate not only clinical information, but compassion, understanding and respect

Learning outcomes

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the impact of language on women living with diabetes
• Use person‑centred, non‑judgemental language in clinical conversations
• Engage in more supportive discussions with women and colleagues

• How can healthcare professionals support glucose management without creating fear of food?

• How can we discuss nutrition without judgement?

• How midwives and dieticians can work together?

A useful recommended read before the webinar:

Application of continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery technologies for pregnant women with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes: an international consensus statement – The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology

Speakers

Dawn Adams, Diabetes Support midwife, Southern Health and Social care trust.  Dawn is an experienced midwife currently working in the southern health and social care trust. Dawn has a wealth of knowledge and experience caring for women living with diabetes and currently works as a diabetes support midwife. Dawn is also a researcher. Dawn was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 22.

Tazmin Lewis is a Registered Dietitian specialising in prenatal and paediatric nutrition. She has over 12 years of experience working across the NHS and private practice, with a background as a Diabetes Specialist Dietitian supporting women with gestational diabetes and complex pregnancies, and more recently as a Neonatal Dietitian.

She is passionate about helping families feel more supported and confident with nutrition through preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and early childhood. Alongside her clinical work, she is a committee member of the BDA Women’s Health & Fertility Group and a mum of two young children.

Charlene Spence is a year 2 midwifery student studying at Queen’s university. Charlene represents Northern Ireland on the student midwifery forum.