A TRANSFORMED PREGNANCY - THE PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Gestational diabetes (i.e. diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy) has im portant implications for maternal and foetal well-being. This paper pr esents an ethnographic study of gestational diabetes, an unexpected, p otentially life-threatening illness diagnosed during the second half o f pregnancy. While previous research has conceptualised gestational di abetes as producing few consequences since it commonly disappears afte r delivery, this study explores the meaning women attach to the disord er. It found, that gestational diabetes had a profound effect on the r espondents, resulting in fear, depression and anxiety. The respondents ' imagery of diabetes as a debilitating disease concomitant with blind ness, amputations, and premature death generated increased anxiety thr oughout pregnancy and six-weeks postpartum. The personal disruption in complying with the diabetic regimen as well as health care provider t ransactions exaggerated the unique stress of a 'normal' pregnancy. We suggest that a strictly medical view of gestational diabetes minimises its broader psychosocial significance and recommend effective provide r-patient interactions with 'high-risk' pregnant women.