A simplified model for management of women with gestational diabetes at the primary care level.

A simplified model for management of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) that could be applied at the level of the primary antenatal care was evaluated. Two groups were compared: group I included 172 consecutive GDM subjects cared for at the hospital-based specialized antenatal clinic 1984-85. Group II included 149 consecutive GDM subjects cared for at the primary antenatal clinics 1985-86. Both groups were instructed in self-monitoring of blood glucose and were given dietary instructions. Insulin treatment was initiated if blood-glucose exceeded 9 mmol/l post-prandially three times a week. While women in group II mainly were cared for by midwives, following the routine antenatal program, women in group I were seen every two weeks by an obstetrician and non-stress tests were performed twice weekly from gestational week 35. There were no significant differences with respect to the number of women who required insulin treatment, rate of pregnancy complications or mode of delivery. There were two intrauterine deaths, one in each group, both were unrelated to GDM. There were no group differences regarding large-for-gestational-age infants, respiratory disturbances, neonatal hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia or polycythemia. We conclude that an effective care of GDM-women can be achieved at the primary care level provided frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose is performed for early detection of insulin requiring diabetes.