Gestational diabetes in Australia: Exploration of women’s lived experiences of gestational diabetes and postnatal screening for type 2 diabetes — ASN Events
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Gestational diabetes in Australia: Exploration of women’s lived experiences of gestational diabetes and postnatal screening for type 2 diabetes (#134)

Vanessa J Watkins 1 , Georgia Griffin 1 2 , Clare Devlin 1 , Zoe Bradfield 1 2 3
  1. Curtin University School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
  2. King Edward Memorial Hospital, Women and Newborn Health Service, Subiaco, WA, Australia
  3. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia Medical School, Nedlands, WA, Australia

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy affecting almost one in five pregnancies in Australia. Despite the prevalence and rising incidence, evidence describing women’s lived experience of GDM and postnatal screening remains limited.

Aim: To explore how a diagnosis of GDM shapes women’s experiences of pregnancy, maternity care, and early parenthood in Australia.

Methods: We conducted online qualitative semi-structured interviews with 17 women who had been diagnosed with GDM and had given birth in Australia within the previous two years. Participants were recruited from a national survey and purposively sampled for maximum variation (state/territory, metropolitan/regional/rural residence, model of care, parity, and age). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Five themes captured women’s experiences across the childbirth continuum of care: (1) Screening for GDM reflected women’s experiences of information sharing and decision-making processes to undertake GDM screening; (2) Diagnosis with GDM reflected women’s experiences of diagnosis with GDM and the need to reframe aspirations for pregnancy and birth; (3) Navigating new systems for maternity care reflected women’s perceptions of a shift in the focus of care toward glycaemic control; (4) Living with and managing GDM reflected women’s descriptions of the substantial cognitive and emotional workload involved in GDM monitoring and “fighting” for glycaemic control; and (5) Understanding impacts on transition to parenthood and future health reflected women’s descriptions of their sense of relief postpartum, views of follow-up testing as low-priority and expressions of preferences for different approaches in future pregnancies.

Conclusions: A GDM diagnosis can overshadow women's experience of pregnancy, intensify psychological burden, and reshape women’s care pathways. Service models that prioritise respectful communication, processes for informed decision-making, and co-designed, person-centred support are needed to improve experiences and optimise longer-term family health.