Diabetes Ireland > Exploring the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences of women who developed gestational diabetes on the Island of Ireland: a qualitative study 

Exploring the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences of women who developed gestational diabetes on the Island of Ireland: a qualitative study 

Name of Study

Exploring the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences of women who developed gestational diabetes on the Island of Ireland: a qualitative study

 

Purpose of Study (300 words)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as hyperglycaemia first recognised during pregnancy and one of the most common pregnancy-related complications. Women who experience GDM in a previous pregnancy are more likely to develop GDM in a subsequent pregnancy. GDM is associated with an increased risk of several maternal complications in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, preterm labour, need for induction of labour, and caesarean delivery as well as increased long-term risks of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Fetal exposure to GDM increases the risk for complications in offspring as well, including macrosomia and birth trauma, and long-term risk of metabolic diseases. Given the large proportion of women with increased risk factors and suboptimal health behaviours before pregnancy, the preconception period is a critical time to promote and support well-being and healthy lifestyle behaviour change. Lifestyle behaviours, such as achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, optimising dietary intake, and engaging in regular physical activity (PA) have been shown to promote fertility and metabolic health and offer an opportunity to improve alignment with current health guidelines. Previous preconception lifestyle interventions have demonstrated benefits in improving health behaviours and have shown some promise in reducing risk of GDM, however, are limited in power to support the implementation of any specific approach among high-risk women. Due to the paucity of research in this area, the next step is to ask women who have experienced GDM what content and mode of delivery is needed for an intervention to effectively target women at all stages of pregnancy planning, and what are the needs of the target population for a preconception intervention. In this study, we will conduct interviews with women with a history of GDM to ask them about their preconception and pregnancy experiences. We will also ask them about what resources they think would help them prepare for pregnancy. These insights will inform the development of interventions aimed at optimising preconception health for GDM-affected women in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

 

Type of Study (observational/exploratory etc)

Observational/Exploratory

 

Are you recruiting participants for this trial?

  • Yes

State geographical location of study (city/county/country) (single or multiple sites)

Island of Ireland

 

Who can take part?

a) previously diagnosed with GDM during at least one pregnancy in the past five years b) resident in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland at the time of the GDM pregnancy c) aged 18 and over d) able to converse in and understand English e) capable of providing informed consent

 

What will the participants be asked to do? (max 300 words)

Upon initial contact with the research team, potential participants will be provided with a participant information leaflet. If they are interested in participating in this study, they will fill out a consent form and online questionnaire. The online questionnaire will collect social and demographic data before the interviews are conducted. Questions pertaining to age, ethnicity, highest level of education, relationship status, number of children, county of residence, and health insurance will be included in the questionnaire. Next they will be asked to participate in one online interview over Microsoft Teams where they will be asked about their experience from pre-pregnancy to postpartum as it relates to GDM. Participants will receive a One4All gift card (€30) after completion of the interview.

 

Recruitment Start Date

03/18/2025

 

Recruitment Finish Date

17/05/2025

 

Study Duration

12 months

 

This study is funded by:

Cameron Scholarship in the School of Population at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

 

For further information contact:

Cat Caro

 

Phone

+44 7564076946

 

Email

catherinecaro23@rcsi.com

 

NAME – completed this form

Catherine V Caro

 

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