title: Australian women's experiences of living with gestational diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe Australian women's reflections on the experience of having a pregnancy affected by GDM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were women aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with GDM ≤3 years previously and registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Data was collected from a cross-sectional written postal survey which included the opportunity for women to document their experiences of living with GDM. Thematic framework analysis was undertaken to determine underlying themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 4098 invited eligible women, 1372 consented to participate. Of these, 393 provided feedback on their experiences of living with GDM. Eight key themes emerged from the data (1) shock, fear and anxiety (8.9%), (2) uncertainty and scepticism (9.4%), (3) an opportunity to improve one's health (9.6%), (4) adapting to life with GDM (11.6%), (5) the need for support (17.2%), (6) better awareness (3.5%), (7) abandoned (14.9%), (8) staying healthy and preventing diabetes (13.7%). Women taking insulin were more likely to experience shock, fear or anxiety (p=0.001) and there was a trend towards women who spoke another language also being more likely to report this experience (p=0.061). Those diagnosed with GDM in a previous pregnancy (p=0.034) and younger women (p=0.054) were less likely to view the diagnosis as an opportunity to improve their health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides an insight into the experience of the pregnant woman diagnosed with GDM. It emphasises the importance of health professional support and provides insight into the challenges and opportunities for future diabetes risk reduction.
authors.affiliation: Education & Prevention Division, Australian Diabetes Council, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia. Electronic address: melindam@australiandiabetescouncil.com.
authors.forename: Melinda K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: Julia.Lowe@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, HA12, Hunter Building, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Clare.Collins@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Clare E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Experience; Gestational diabetes; Pregnancy; Support; Type 2 diabetes prevention