Daily life realities of women without recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate how women without recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) lived their daily lives after being diagnosed with GDM in the past.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, consisting of semi-structured interviews with five women who did not have a recurrence of GDM. A verbatim transcript was prepared from the data obtained, and the parts of the transcript that were related to the daily life after the diagnosis of GDM were extracted, coded, and subcategories and categories were formed.

Results

Women without GDM recurrence were surprised at their diagnosis and reflected on their lives, while at the same time worrying about the effects of hyperglycemia on their fetus. They also talked about the reality of the mental and physical burden caused by the restrictions on daily life, requested by the medical staff, that they found troublesome and painful, which started along with the diagnosis. However, some women gained positive experience by managing their blood glucose through dietary changes with the support of their family members. By continuing their lifestyle at the time of GDM out of concern for recurrence and the effects on their fetus it prevented the recurrence of GDM. In addition, the cooperation of family members was necessary to maintain this lifestyle, and the participants expressed their continued concern that they would develop diabetes in the future.

Conclusion

Women without GDM recurrence continued with the lifestyle behaviors they had acquired during GDM with the support of their families both during and after GDM treatment. In addition, after pregnancy, these women remained mindful of preventing a recurrence of GDM in order to protect their children, from the harmful effects of hyperglycemia on the fetus. By maintaining their daily lifestyle changes they were able to prevent a recurrence of GDM.