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The impact of gestational diabetes mellitus on perceived mother-infant bonding: a qualitative study
Madeleine Benton1, Jessica Bird1, Susan Pawlby1
1Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
Background:
The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rapidly increasing. It is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes for women and their babies. Mother-infant bonding is important for maternal health and infant development, but the effect of GDM on mother-infant bonding has not been examined.
Objective:
To explore and describe the impact of GDM on perceived mother infant-bonding in the antenatal and postnatal period.
Methods:
Qualitative, individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 women from diverse backgrounds with current or previous GDM. Data were analysed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis.
Results:
Three main themes were generated from the analysis: 1) Concern for baby's health and its impact on bonding; 2) GDM management, the pregnancy experience, and bonding; 3) Continuity and discontinuity of the impact on bonding between the antenatal and postnatal periods.
Conclusion:
It was found that GDM can have both positive and negative impacts on perceived mother-infant bonding, which appear to change over the course of the perinatal period. Further observational research is needed to assist in understanding the impact of GDM on mother-infant bonding and the potential mediating effect of mental disorders, including depression.
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