Experiences and perceptions of pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q1 NURSING

Midwifery Pub Date : 2025-07-11 DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2025.104513

Eleftheria Lazarou , Theodosia Panteli , Dimitra Metallinou , Ekaterini Lambrinou , Ourania Kolokotroni , Panagiota Miltiadous , Eleni Hadjigeorgiou

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Abstract

Problem

The current antenatal care for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus in Cyprus does not adequately address their informational and emotional needs, resulting in significant gaps in support and overall care quality.

Background

Pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus are classified as high-risk, with studies highlighting both diabetes-related distress and significant impacts on maternal and fetal health.

Aim

To explore the experiences and perceptions of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus in Cyprus to identify areas for improvement.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Cyprus in 2020, using purposive sampling. Ten (N = 10) women with gestational diabetes mellitus and a gestational age greater than 30 weeks were included. Data was collected through a Facebook group page via semi-structured interviews and then analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Participants' experiences and perceptions were categorised into four themes: 1) feelings aroused after gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis, 2) blood glucose maintenance, 3) family-related factors, and 4) suggestions for respectful care. Therefore, deep need for further information emerged throughout the four key themes which led to the development of a core theme identified as the "Overwhelming Need for Knowledge".

Conclusion

Antenatal care in Cyprus for managing gestational diabetes mellitus requires improvements in empowering and educating women and their families, emphasising the need for midwives to be involved in enhancing women's experiences through antenatal education.

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诊断为妊娠期糖尿病的孕妇的经验和观念：一项定性研究

塞浦路斯目前对被诊断患有妊娠糖尿病的妇女的产前护理没有充分满足她们的信息和情感需求，导致在支持和整体护理质量方面存在重大差距。妊娠合并妊娠期糖尿病被归类为高危妊娠，研究强调糖尿病相关窘迫和对孕产妇和胎儿健康的重大影响。目的探讨塞浦路斯妊娠期糖尿病妇女的经验和看法，以确定需要改进的领域。方法采用有目的抽样方法，于2020年在塞浦路斯进行定性描述性研究。纳入10例（N = 10）妊娠期糖尿病且胎龄大于30周的妇女。数据通过半结构化访谈的方式通过Facebook群组页面收集，然后使用主题分析进行分析。研究结果将参与者的感受分为4个主题：1)妊娠糖尿病诊断后的感受；2)血糖维持；3)家庭相关因素；4)尊重护理建议。因此，对进一步信息的深刻需求贯穿于四个关键主题，这导致了确定为“对知识的压倒性需求”的核心主题的发展。结论塞浦路斯管理妊娠期糖尿病的产前护理需要加强对妇女及其家庭的赋权和教育，强调助产士需要通过产前教育参与提高妇女的经验。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Midwifery 医学-护理

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

7.40%

发文量

221

审稿时长

13.4 weeks

期刊介绍： Midwifery publishes the latest peer reviewed international research to inform the safety, quality, outcomes and experiences of pregnancy, birth and maternity care for childbearing women, their babies and families. The journal’s publications support midwives and maternity care providers to explore and develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes informed by best available evidence. Midwifery provides an international, interdisciplinary forum for the publication, dissemination and discussion of advances in evidence, controversies and current research, and promotes continuing education through publication of systematic and other scholarly reviews and updates. Midwifery articles cover the cultural, clinical, psycho-social, sociological, epidemiological, education, managerial, workforce, organizational and technological areas of practice in preconception, maternal and infant care. The journal welcomes the highest quality scholarly research that employs rigorous methodology. Midwifery is a leading international journal in midwifery and maternal health with a current impact factor of 1.861 (© Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports 2016) and employs a double-blind peer review process.