| Title: |
The experience of women with recent gestational diabetes during the COVID-19 lockdown: a qualitative study from Denmark |
| Authors: |
NH Jensen; KK Nielsen; IK Dahl-Petersen; HT Maindal |
| Publication Year: |
2022 |
| Subject Terms: |
Reproductive medicine not elsewhere classified; Nursing not elsewhere classified; Public health not elsewhere classified; Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Obstetrics & Gynecology; Gestational diabetes mellitus; COVID-19; Lockdown; Coronavirus; Health care delivery; Mental health; Diabetes prevention; Motherhood adaptation; Infant's health; PREVALENCE; PREGNANCY; MELLITUS |
| Description: |
Background Following COVID-19 and the lockdowns, maternity care and support for women after delivery have been temporary restructured. Studies show that COVID-19 adversely impacts pregnant and peripartum women in the general population, but experiences among women in the first year after delivery/in the wider postpartum period remain unexplored. Moreover, experiences among women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are lacking; though it is a group with a potential high need for support after delivery. The aim of our study was to investigate (i) how women with recent GDM experienced COVID-19 and the first lockdown in Denmark, and (ii) the women’s risk perception and health literacy in terms of interaction with the healthcare system in relation to COVID-19. Methods We performed a qualitative study among 11 women with recent GDM (infants aged 2-11 months old). Semi-structured interviews were conducted in April-May 2020 by telephone or Skype for Business, when Denmark was under lockdown. We analysed data using a thematic qualitative content analysis. Results Three themes emerged: i) Everyday life and family well-being, ii) Worries about COVID-19 and iii) Health literacy: Health information and access to healthcare. The women were generally not worried about their own or their infant’s risk of COVID-19. The lockdown had a negative impact on everyday life e.g. routines, loneliness, breastfeeding uncertainties and worries for the infant’s social well-being; but better family dynamics were also described. It was challenging to maintain healthy behaviours and thus the women described worries for the risk of type 2 diabetes and GDM in subsequent pregnancies. The women missed peer support and face-to-face visits from health visitors and found it difficult to navigate the restructured care with online/telephone set-ups. Conclusions COVID-19 and the lockdown affected everyday life among women with recent GDM both positively and negatively. Our findings suggest a need for care that are responsive to ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
unknown |
| Relation: |
http://hdl.handle.net/10779/DRO/DU:20596479.v3 |
| Availability: |
http://hdl.handle.net/10779/DRO/DU:20596479.v3; https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/The_experience_of_women_with_recent_gestational_diabetes_during_the_COVID-19_lockdown_a_qualitative_study_from_Denmark/20596479 |
| Rights: |
CC BY 4.0 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.C6D01ED0 |
| Database: |
BASE |