title: Women's experiences of gestational diabetes self-management: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to explore women's experiences of self-managing their gestational diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  the study design was informed by interpretive phenomenological analysis. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and one focus group. Participants included 15 women with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes who had experienced self-management of their condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  incremental adjustment occurred over 4 discrete themes, including: (1) the shock of diagnosis; (2) coming to terms with GDM; (3) working it out/learning new strategies; (4) looking to the future. Each adjustment phase was underpinned by the fifth theme (5) having a supportive environment. Throughout, participants reported that thinking about the baby was a powerful motivator for adherence to gestational diabetes management regimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  this study has shown that women undergo a process of adjustment following GDM diagnosis as they learn to self-manage their condition. The process is largely facilitated by the women's interest in maximising fetal health which may make them receptive to interventions to improve GDM control and to prevent type 2 diabetes in the future.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, St Alban's Campus, Victoria University, PO Box 14228, Melbourne 8001, Australia. Mary.carolan@vu.edu.au
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carolan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support