Pregnant women's knowledge about the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study
Abstract
Background: Rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been steadily increasing over the last two decades ( Ferrara, 2007 ). A diagnosis of GDM has major implications for a woman's pregnancy and care management. At the same time, a healthy lifestyle and diet may significantly reduce the risk of GDM in pregnancy. Aim: This study explores the ‘knowledge’ of at-risk pregnant women about the role of lifestyle and diet in the prevention of GDM. Setting: A large hospital that provides secondary-level medical care as well as having a large midwifery group practice in Australia. Methods: The methodology used for this study is qualitative and was informed by phenomenology. A purposive sample of six women over 30 years old participated in a conversational interview using an interview guide. Results: Transcripts were analysed thematically and four broad themes emerged from the study: knowledge of GDM; effect of GDM on mother and baby; diet and exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle; and prevention of GDM. These findings indicated a range of gaps in the women's understanding of how lifestyle and diet can reduce the risk of GDM. Gaps included misconceptions about the cause of GDM, an incomplete understanding of lifestyle risk factors, limited awareness of the effect GDM has on mother and baby, incomplete knowledge of a healthy diet, inconsistent views of recommended physical activity and frequency, and limited understanding of GDM preventative measures. Conclusion: The lack of dietary and lifestyle knowledge demonstrated in this study may suggest that women need more appropriate health information on diet and exercise during their antenatal care.
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Despite the well-documented impact of factors such as diet, physical activity, micronutrient intake, age and family history on GDM risk, little is known about how women perceive and act upon these risks prior to pregnancy.
“Despite the well‐documented impact of factors such as diet, physical activity, micronutrient intake, age and family history on GDM risk, little is known about how women perceive and act upon these risks prior to pregnancy [29].”
From Preconception Perceptions, Knowledge and Behaviours of Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Qualitative Study (2026) · cites this paper as [29]
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- Authors
- Poth, M., & Carolan, M.
- Affiliations
- Royal Women's Hospital (AU)
- Victoria University (AU)
- ORCID
- Carolan, Mary
- Venue
- British Journal of Midwifery
- Publisher
- Mark Allen Group
- Published
- 2013-10
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 692-700
- ISSN
- 0969-4900 (ISSN-L)
- 2052-4307
- OpenAlex
- W2088860483
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Midwifery (publishedVersion)
- Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- 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, prevention, pregnant women's knowledge, diet, lifestyle, physical activity, prenatal care, health information, misconceptions, maternal and fetal outcomes, midwifery practice
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