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Cited by 188Gestational Diabetes Research and ManagementDiabetes Management and EducationMaternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Women’s experiences of factors that facilitate or inhibit gestational diabetes self-management

Open access
Carolan, Mary, Gill, Gurjeet K, Steele, Cheryl·2012·BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
DOI 10.1186/1471-2393-12-99PMC PMC3561108
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes rates have increased dramatically in the past two decades and this pattern of increase appears to relate primarily to the obesity epidemic, older maternal age and migration from world areas of high GDM risk. Women from disadvantaged and migrant backgrounds are most at risk of developing and of mismanaging this condition. The aim of the study was to explore the factors that facilitated or inhibited gestational diabetes self-management among women in a socially deprived area. METHODS: Fifteen pregnant women, with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, were purposively recruited for this study. Qualitative semi structured interviews and 1 focus group were conducted when participants were approximately 28-38 weeks gestation. The study's theoretical framework was based on interpretative phenomenology and data was analysed using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Women in this study identified a number of factors that complicated their task of GDM self-management. Barriers included: (1) time pressures; (2) physical constraints; (3) social constraints; (4) limited comprehension of requirements, and (5) insulin as an easier option. Factors facilitating GDM self-management included: thinking about the baby and psychological support from partners and families. CONCLUSION: Women from low socio economic and migrant backgrounds often struggle to comprehend GDM self-management requirements. To improve adherence to management plans, these women require educational and supportive services that are culturally appropriate and aimed at a low level of literacy.

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  • Other factors such as hunger, time pressure, and food cravings often impede adherence to medical nutrition therapy.

    “Other factors such as hunger, time pressure, and food cravings often impede adherence to medical nutrition therapy [157].”

    From Medical Nutrition Therapy for Women with Gestational Diabetes: Current Practice and Future Perspectives (2025) · cites this paper as [157]

    The Results section, “Barriers to GDM self-management” (page unavailable), identifies time pressure as a major difficulty with dietary self-management, and a participant says cravings made managing her diet hard. The passages do not identify hunger as a barrier among this study’s participants; the Discussion’s incomplete mention of others feeling hungry does not establish that part of the claim. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Effecting behavioural change would require strategies that deliver culturally appropriate educational resources tailored to the specific needs and health literacy levels of diverse population groups.

    “Thus, effecting behavioural change would require strategies that deliver culturally appropriate educational resources tailored to the specific needs and health literacy levels of diverse population groups [157].”

    From Medical Nutrition Therapy for Women with Gestational Diabetes: Current Practice and Future Perspectives (2025) · cites this paper as [157]

    The Conclusion says women from low-socioeconomic and migrant backgrounds need GDM support that is culturally appropriate and pitched at an appropriate health-literacy level. The Implications for practice also calls for targeted educational resources. The cited paper supports this approach for women managing gestational diabetes, but not the claim’s broader application to diverse population groups generally. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Most women remain committed to ensuring their baby's well-being and are willing to adopt recommended dietary and glucose monitoring practices to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

    “Despite these challenges, most women remain committed to ensuring their baby’s well-being and are willing to adopt recommended dietary and glucose monitoring practices to ensure a healthy pregnancy [157].”

    From Medical Nutrition Therapy for Women with Gestational Diabetes: Current Practice and Future Perspectives (2025) · cites this paper as [157]

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Carolan, M., Gill, G. K., & Steele, C.
Affiliations
  • Victoria University (AU)
  • Western Health (AU)
Corresponding author
Carolan, Mary
ORCID
Venue
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2012-09-18
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
99-99
ISSN
1471-2393 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/1471-2393-12-99
PMC
PMC3561108
OpenAlex
W1974585907
Cited by
188
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 4
FWCI
11.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • David and Elaine Potter Foundation
  • Ian Potter Foundation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Education
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Keywords
gestational diabetes mellitus, self-management, barriers to self-management, migrant women, low socioeconomic status, maternal obesity, time pressure, insulin use, psychological support, culturally appropriate education, health literacy, pregnant women's experiences
MeSH terms
Adult, Australia, Diet Therapy, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Insulin, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, Third, Risk Factors, Self Care, Social Support, Time Factors, Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring, Diabetes, Gestational, Focus Groups, Vulnerable Populations, Qualitative Research, Young Adult

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