title: Preconception care in diabetic women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes is increasingly becoming prevalent worldwide. Pregnancy with diabetes is prone to maternal and fetal complications. Preconception care (PCC) is an important factor in alleviating gestational complications in those women who suffer from diabetes. This study seeks to gain insight into experiences of diabetic women and providers about PCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present research was a qualitative research conducted on eight women with diabetes during the reproductive age and 15 health care providers of the public and private medical centers, which provide health care for women with diabetes in Isfahan (Iran), with a qualitative approach. Based on the aims of research, purposive sampling was done through semi-structuralized individual interview. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data analysis revealed three major categories: (1) Health centers weakness in providing PCC for diabetic women, (2) lack of a comprehensive PCC plan for diabetic women and (3) diabetic women's negligence about having planned pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to improve diabetic women's health, precise training of students, health care providers and patients themselves with respect to PCCs should be taken into account. Designing diabetic PCC system is an essential factor to succeed in this trend.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Nafisehsadat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nekuei
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kohan
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kazemi
keywords: Diabetic mellitus; health personnel; preconception care