1583-P: Experience and Needs of Women and Birthing Persons with Pregestational Diabetes to Guide the Adaptation of a Perinatal Mental Health Digital Intervention

Introduction and Objective: The perinatal period is a critical life stage with an increased risk of anxiety and depression for people with pregestational diabetes (PGD). Digital interventions (DI) are effective in preventing and treating psychological distress. To guide the adaptation of a DI to promote mental health in individuals with PGD, a qualitative study was conducted to understand their experience and mental health needs in 3 perinatal stages (planning pregnancy, pregnancy, postpartum). Methods: From April to September 2025, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted among 22 women/birthing persons with T1D and 8 with T2D (10 in each perinatal stage), recruited through social media across Canada. The inductive-deductive thematic analysis was guided by a 3 dimensions theoretical framework of psychosocial hardships of life-events adaptation: self-adaptation; relational dynamic (family, friends, peers, healthcare providers); and time. Results: Self-adaptation is highly challenged by having to relearn how to live with diabetes at each perinatal stage without the information needed. The relational dynamic, characterized by close ones who “don’t get it” and stigmatizing experiences with healthcare providers, increased their need for peer support, life-experience information and empathetic understanding. Hormonal changes during pregnancy contribute to difficulties managing diabetes, leading to feelings of unpredictability and increased anxiety related to pregnancy and childbirth risks. Conclusion: These results will guide the adaptation of a DI which will include tailored psychosocial tools related to the unpredictable aspects of pregnancy changes, acceptance and control, to mobilize their social support and self-advocate combined with an added peer-support feature and, strategies to keep prioritizing their well-being in limited time. Disclosure N. Deville-Stoetzel: None. D. Khoshnafas: None. A. Schifano: None. K. Raptis: None. B. Han: None. J. Kichler: None. D. Da Costa: None. Funding CIHR (492551), Breakthrough T1D (4-SRA-2023-1407-S-N)