(OR13-01-24) Breastfeeding Experiences of Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: An Exploratory Study

Objectives: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their infants benefit from breastfeeding but have lower exclusive breastfeeding rates than women without GDM. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the perinatal experiences of women with GDM who intended to breastfeed.

Methods: Women who had GDM in their most recent pregnancy, had a full-term delivery in the United States, and were no more than 18 months postpartum were recruited to participate in a virtual focus group between November 2022 and August 2023. Focus group transcripts were coded by two independent coders and differences were reconciled with codebook consensus. Codes were then analyzed to identify major themes and sub-themes.

Results: Three major themes and 14 sub-themes emerged: 1) Challenges, including sub-themes of GDM diagnosis, doubt, physical challenges, balancing demands, lack of support, and pressure or judgement; 2) Lack of Information from Healthcare Providers, with sub-themes of separation of GDM and breastfeeding, inadequate information or support, and provider neutrality; and 3) Facilitating or Motivating Factors, including sub-themes knowledge, intention, confidence, determination, and positive support.

Conclusions: In this study, women with GDM experienced many breastfeeding challenges and felt they had received little information or support from healthcare providers. They also expressed feelings of pressure or judgement about their infant feeding choices and highlighted the value of having support systems in person or online. Finally, few participants were aware of any relationship between GDM and breastfeeding. If this experience is common among women with GDM broadly, it represents a missed opportunity to ensure that women with GDM are adequately informed and prepared for the challenges they may face (e.g., neonatal hypoglycemia).

Funding Sources: This study was supported by Fairfield University through the Elizabeth DeCamp McInerny Endowed Chair of Health Sciences.