Lived experience of gestational diabetes mellitus among immigrant South Asian women in Australia

Abstract

Background: Women from South Asia have a high incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) placing them at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite the higher rates of GDM in this group, there are no studies of their experiences of living with GDM in Australia or elsewhere. Aims: We aimed to explore the experiences and understandings of South Asian women in Melbourne, Australia, after diagnosis with GDM. Methods: A qualitative approach was used. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 immigrant women from South Asia recently diagnosed with GDM. They were interviewed in the language of their choice at two time points: in pregnancy after GDM diagnosis and at six weeks po..