Webinar Recap: Pre-Pregnancy Planning and Diabetes with ANP Linda Matthews

On Thursday, June 5th, 2025, Diabetes Ireland was delighted to host a special and informative webinar on Pre-Pregnancy Care and Diabetes, and over 80 people turned in on the night. The webinar was delivered by Advanced Nurse Practitioner Linda Matthews, a leading expert in the field of diabetes care.

 

This valuable session was designed for women living with diabetes who are considering pregnancy—whether in the near future or further down the line. The webinar focused on the importance of preparing for pregnancy in the context of diabetes, and how proactive planning can significantly improve outcomes for both mother and baby.

 

Key Topics Covered:

  • The importance of pre-pregnancy care for women with diabetes
  • Optimising blood glucose levels before conception
  • Practical strategies to support a healthy pregnancy journey
  • How to plan effectively for the best maternal and fetal outcomes

 

About our Speaker:

Linda Matthews is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Diabetes, with over 19 years of specialist experience in diabetes care. She qualified in general nursing from Queen’s University Belfast in 1996 and went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes Nursing at the Mater Hospital and UCD (2005–2007). She later undertook nurse prescribing at RCSI (2015), an MSc in Nursing (2020), and completed her advanced practice training in 2024 at UCD.

 

In 2013, Linda established a pre-pregnancy care clinic specifically for women with diabetes. Her clinical work spans hospital, community, and nurse-led diabetes services, with current roles focused on pre-pregnancy care and insulin pump therapy for people with type 1 diabetes. Linda is deeply committed to providing expert, compassionate care and empowering women with diabetes to plan for pregnancy with confidence and clarity.

 

We extend our sincere thanks to Linda for sharing her expertise and to all who joined us online. Your participation and engagement made this event a great success.

 

Stay tuned for more educational events from Diabetes Ireland as we continue supporting our community with trusted guidance and expert-led resources.