Women’s accounts of the gestational diabetes experience – a South African perspective

The stigma associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: A scoping review

“… 21 Studies have also identified various other negative stereotypes associated with the GDM label, such as women with GDM not being able to control their weight; not engaging in physical activity; being lazy; having poor eating habits; lack of willpower and judgement as well as the notion that women diagnosed with GDM have brought the condition upon themselves through their own failings. 18 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 The negative labelling and stereotypes mean that women diagnosed with GDM may be vulnerable to being discredited as ‘bad mothers’ or having unhealthy pregnancies and children. 19 , 27 In some cases, labelling and stereotyping was found to overtly result in status loss, for example in settings where women's health was already neglected or their status in the family or society was particularly rooted in childbearing.…”

“…18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 From healthcare personnel, women diagnosed with GDM report feeling judged; being told ‘horror stories’ about their unborn child's health; being made fun of for weight gain; not being given a choice regarding treatment; feeling threatened, shamed or ‘chastised’ for not meeting glucose targets; being mistrusted regarding whether they follow the diet; and being treated like ‘irresponsible children’. 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 29 , 30 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 38 , 39 , 42 Studies have also documented that the women were being accused by their spouses of laziness, and women with GDM have reported feeling like they were under surveillance and scrutiny from their spouse during day-to-day activities, which may be accompanied by being nagged at and judged for what they ate. 30 , 31 , 33 , 34 The heightened attention to the women's diet was also reported from people in general.…”

“…Thus, numerous studies have documented that women diagnosed with GDM report feeling responsible for their diagnosis and experiencing feelings of guilt, self-blame, failure, embarrassment, sadness, shame and negative self-talk. 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 41 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 In some studies, these reactions and perceptions were reported to decrease as the women familiarise themselves with the diagnosis and succeed in managing their GDM. 32 However, in some cases, the feelings were also presented as lasting and impactful.…”

“… 24 , 42 , 47 , 48 , 53 , 63 This means that the women do not get the necessary information about their diagnosis, which can lead to the reported misunderstandings about GDM and result in self-blame regarding their diagnosis or previous miscarriages. 18 , 20 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 63 Studies further suggest that lack of knowledge about the aetiology and risk factors associated with GDM amongst family and peers may also lead to misunderstandings and accusations towards women diagnosed with GDM, leaving the women feeling judged and frightened. 18 , 27 , 31 , 40 Finally, co-existing stigmatised conditions, such as being overweight and pregnant, simply being a woman, or belonging to an ethnic minority group also appear to interact with the identified consequences associated with experiencing GDM-specific stigma.…”

A scoping review of gestational diabetes mellitus healthcare: experiences of care reported by pregnant women internationally

“…Dickson, L.M. (2020) [ 42 ] South Africa English, other (interpreters/translators were used) 12. Muhwava, L.S.…”