Women’s and Partners’ Experiences With a Closed-loop Insulin Delivery System to Manage Type 1 Diabetes in the Postpartum Period

Objectives

Closed-loop insulin delivery has the potential to offer women with type 1 diabetes a break from intense diabetes self-care efforts postpartum. Our aim in this study was to explore the views and opinions of hybrid closed-loop users and their partners in the first 24 weeks postpartum.

Methods

This qualitative study was embedded in a controlled study of women with type 1 diabetes randomized to closed-loop insulin delivery (MiniMed 670G or 770G; Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States) or sensor-augmented pump use for 1 to 11 weeks 6 days postpartum, with all on closed-loop delivery from 12 to 24 weeks postpartum. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 study participants and their partners at 12 and 24 weeks postpartum. Thematic analyses were used to examine participants’ and partners’ experiences.

Results

Participants’ positive perceptions of closed-loop use related to reduced hypoglycemia, in contrast to previous experiences with nonautomated insulin delivery. These perceptions were balanced against frustrations with the system, allowing blood glucose levels to be higher than desired. Closed-loop use did not influence infant feeding choice, but infant feeding and care impacted participants’ diabetes management. Partners expressed uncertainty about the closed loop taking away control from participants who were highly skilled with diabetes self-management.

Conclusions

Participants reported that closed-loop insulin delivery resulted in less time spent in hypoglycemia when compared with the previously used nonautomated delivery. However, participants desired a greater understanding of the workings of the closed-loop algorithm. Our study provides potential users with realistic expectations about the experience with the MiniMed 670G or 770G closed-loop system in the postpartum period.