Rub shoulders with Kerri Barwick MPS (centre) and other members of team PSA at CPC24[/caption]
The use of insulin, considered a high-risk medication with APINCHs classification,5 Ms Barwick notes, provides justification for a Home Medicines Review (HMR). ‘There’s an advantage to going into the home to observe the patient’s diet, consider potential interactions, and educate patients on the best effects and outcomes,’ she says.
Advice around cleaning blood glucose level (BGL) monitors to ensure accuracy can also be provided. ‘Pharmacists can explain how to put test drops through and clean blood spills on the monitor, common in pregnancy due to higher blood volume,’ says Ms Barwick.
With only 50% of women diagnosed with GDM receiving tests for heart disease and type 2 diabetes post-pregnancy,6 HMRs can be beneficial at this stage of the journey, too.
‘Along with conversations around diet choices, exercise regimes and sleep, I also explain how often testing is required over the next 5–10 years, and how to monitor for signs of the development of diabetes,’ Ms Barwick advises.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
The presence of iron in pregnancy multivitamins may exacerbate symptoms of nausea and vomiting in some pregnancies, according to Ms Barwick.
‘Pharmacists can recommend a trial cessation of the iron component of pregnancy vitamins, often unnecessary in pregnancy,’ she says.
In 2020, photographer Bobbi Lockyer created a Birthing on Country project to highlight and create awareness around birthing issues and outcomes in Aboriginal women. For more, see 
Suzanne Nielsen MPS[/caption]
Case Scenario
Jane is a 30-year-old woman who is married with a 3-year-old child. She was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 12 months ago and has been taking sertraline, prescribed by her GP. She has told you that she feels better over the last 12 months, since starting sertraline. She has just discovered she is 6 weeks pregnant and is concerned about the safety of the fetus and whether she should now discontinue the sertraline. How would you advise her?
Learning ObjectivesAfter reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:
Competency standards addressed: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5,2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6 |
Already read the CPD in the journal? Scroll to the bottom to SUBMIT ANSWERS.
Introduction
Mental illnesses significantly contribute to disease burden for women of reproductive age. Anxiety is the leading cause of total burden for females aged 15–44 in Australia, and depressive disorders are among the three leading causes of total burden for females in this age group.1 Adult females in Australia more commonly experience anxie
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