Björk Javanshiri Amanda, Modig Sara, Nymberg Peter, Calling Susanna
Center for Primary Health Care Research, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
Office for Primary Care, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025 Feb 28;25(1):224. doi: 10.1186/s12884-025-07328-2.
Gestational diabetes is one of the most common pregnancy complications, affecting 14% of all pregnancies globally, and its prevalence is increasing. Gestational diabetes is associated with short and long-term complications for both the mother and their offspring, which are possible to prevent by glycemic control mainly facilitated by healthy lifestyle behaviors. Hence, women diagnosed with gestational diabetes have a significant role in disease management which can be perceived as burdensome. Previous research has well documented the psychological implications of diagnosis in the women and the need for support from healthcare. Despite the global burden of disease associated with gestational diabetes, recent qualitative studies exploring women's experiences are scarce, particularly in Sweden. Thus, highlighting a critical gap in understanding the impact of this condition and the women's experiences of diagnosis and prenatal healthcare, which this study aimed to address.
Purposive sampling was used to recruit women with previous gestational diabetes in southern Sweden. Individual interviews were held with 17 participants according to a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted according to qualitative content analysis.
The analysis generated 10 subcategories, which were grouped into three categories labeled: "experience of diagnosis", "a complex relationship with food" and "experience of prenatal healthcare". One theme emerged: to suddenly become a patient as opposed to an expectant mother. Most women were initially overwhelmed by the diagnosis and its consequences. They felt that healthy eating was important, despite it limiting their everyday lives, which also revealed a complicated relationship with food. Women felt supported during pregnancy but abandoned after labor. They requested additional information and emotional support from healthcare personnel, increased awareness and understanding of the treatment burden of gestational diabetes, improved person-centered care, and collaboration between healthcare providers, particularly to ensure better support in reducing future risk of disease.
This study provides an understanding of women's experience of gestational diabetes and the care provided in southern Sweden. Their views could improve future care regarding both successful gestational diabetes management and post-pregnancy follow-up to prevent long-term adverse health outcomes.
妊娠期糖尿病是最常见的妊娠并发症之一，全球所有妊娠中有14%受其影响，且其患病率正在上升。妊娠期糖尿病与母亲及其后代的短期和长期并发症相关，通过以健康生活方式行为为主导的血糖控制有可能预防这些并发症。因此，被诊断为妊娠期糖尿病的女性在疾病管理中起着重要作用，而这可能被视为负担。先前的研究充分记录了该诊断对女性的心理影响以及她们对医疗保健支持的需求。尽管妊娠期糖尿病带来全球疾病负担，但近期探索女性经历的定性研究很少，尤其是在瑞典。因此，凸显了在理解这种疾病的影响以及女性的诊断和产前保健经历方面的关键差距，本研究旨在解决这一问题。
采用目的抽样法招募瑞典南部有既往妊娠期糖尿病史的女性。根据半结构化访谈指南对17名参与者进行了个体访谈。访谈进行了录音并逐字转录。根据定性内容分析法进行数据分析。
分析产生了10个子类别，分为三个类别，分别为：“诊断经历”、“与食物的复杂关系”和“产前保健经历”。出现了一个主题：突然从准妈妈变成患者。大多数女性最初被诊断及其后果压得喘不过气来。她们觉得健康饮食很重要，尽管这限制了她们的日常生活，这也揭示了与食物的复杂关系。女性在孕期感到得到了支持，但产后却被忽视。她们要求医护人员提供更多信息和情感支持，提高对妊娠期糖尿病治疗负担的认识和理解，改善以患者为中心的护理，以及医护人员之间的协作，特别是要确保在降低未来疾病风险方面提供更好的支持。
本研究增进了对瑞典南部女性妊娠期糖尿病经历及所接受护理的理解。她们的观点有助于改善未来在成功管理妊娠期糖尿病及产后随访以预防长期不良健康后果方面的护理。
