A Qualitative Study on Fears and Beliefs Experienced by Women with Gestational Diabetes

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus can be associated with maternal and foetal adverse outcomes. Health conditions can be culturally constructed. This study aimed to understand the experience of gestational diabetes mellitus among women in Jordan. Method A descriptive exploratory qualitative design was used to conduct this study. Data were collected using semi-structured and audio-recorded interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Two researchers collected and analysed the data. A third expert researcher reviewed the analysis process and confirmed the findings. Participants were recruited from antenatal maternity clinics and hospitals governed by Jordan’s ministry of health from two major cities in Jordan: Amman and Irbid. Eleven women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus participated in this study, and most of them were multiparous. Findings Two themes emerged from the data, which are fears and beliefs associated with gestational diabetes mellitus. Mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus experienced several fears about their health and their growing foetus’ health. Also, women had some health and religious beliefs which helped them dealing with gestational diabetes mellitus uncertainties. These themes are overlapping. Conclusion This study showed how women’s fears and beliefs shaped women’s experience of gestational diabetes mellitus. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus experienced feelings of fear that could be lessened by proper information and support from healthcare providers as well as the social network. The experience was also shaped by religious beliefs that women have in Jordan. These findings could have an implication for other context as dealing with pregnant women dealing with gestational diabetes mellitus in Islamic contexts.