Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to identify what components of a postpartum lifestyle intervention
would engage postpartum mothers who had a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
Study design
Two online surveys were conducted, one involving postnatal mothers with GDM (n = 83), and a second for health professionals (n = 46).
Results
Seventy-eight percent of mothers were aware that healthy eating, exercise and weight
management were all important to reduce risk of subsequent type 2 diabetes. However,
80% of women in this survey were not ready to engage in a postpartum lifestyle intervention
within the first 6 months of giving birth; in contrast 52% of health professionals
recommended they should be engaged in the first six weeks. Group sessions were the
most commonly chosen format to deliver an intervention (30%). A community setting
was preferred to a medical one. Mothers wanted recipe ideas (95%) in preference to
general dietary advice (76%) or cooking skills courses (39%). Walking was the main
form of exercise for 79% of mothers in this sample. Women highlighted difficulty in
focusing on their own health goals because of competing demands of looking after a
baby (41% agreed, Median 3, IQR 2), tiredness (65% agreed, Md 4, IQR 1) and the need
for childcare (64% agreed, Md 4, IQR 2).
Conclusion
A walking programme, recipe ideas and weight monitoring may be useful components when
designing a postpartum lifestyle intervention. Barriers to engagement are evident
and the intervention should allow women to engage at a time that is appropriate for
them.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 14, 2017
Accepted:
November 13,
2017
Received in revised form:
October 17,
2017
Received:
July 14,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
