Health Behaviours of Postpartum Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes

Objectives: 1) To explore the health behaviours of women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus in the first year postpartum; and 2) to compare their perceived health status with their actual experiences in establishing and maintaining healthy lifestyle changes. Methods: A concurrent mixed method design using semi-structured interviews, supplemented by the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey, diet recall and activity-level records collected at multiple intervals. Results: A total of 16 women rated their general health (SF-36) as good or very good, but diets rarely met Canada's Food Guide recommendations. Narratives revealed initial experiences of abandonment and uncertainty with respect to staying healthy and moving on at 1 year. Continuing support and education postpartum were identified as being needed to maintain changes made during pregnancy. Conclusions: Participants acknowledged their increased risk for type 2 diabetes and were cognizant of health behaviours that might prevent diabetes; however, sustaining lifestyle changes in diet and activity were described as difficult.