Multidisciplinary Group Education for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study

The value of diabetes education, focusing on lifestyle measures, in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is acknowledged, but requires intensive education and input of resources if done on an individual basis. Group education could be a valuable alternative to individual education. This study aims to investigate the impact of multidisciplinary group education on women's knowledge about GDM, education, treatment satisfaction, and emotional status. Two hundred women with GDM were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Dutch speaking women were offered group education at their first visit after GDM diagnosis. Non-Dutch speaking women or women for whom group education was not possible received individual education. Individual follow-up with a dietitian was planned within two weeks for all women. Women receiving individual education (n = 100) were more often from an ethnic minority background compared to women in group education (n = 100) (32.0% (n = 31) vs. 15.3% (n = 15), p = 0.01). Knowledge about GDM significantly improved after education, with few differences between the two education settings. Both patients in group and individual education were equally satisfied with the content and duration of the initial and follow-up education. Of all group participants, 91.8% (n = 90) were satisfied with group size (on average three participants) and 76.5% (n = 75) found that group education fulfilled their expectations. In conclusion, women diagnosed with GDM were overall satisfied with the education session's content leading to a better understanding of their condition, independent of the education setting. Group education is a valuable alternative to better manage the increasing workload and is perceived as an added value by GDM patients.status: publishe

INTER-ACT: prevention of pregnancy complications through an e-health driven interpregnancy lifestyle intervention – study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Excessive maternal pre-pregnancy and gestational weight gain are related to pregnancy- and birth outcomes. The interpregnancy time window offers a unique opportunity to intervene in order to acquire a healthy lifestyle before the start of a new pregnancy. METHODS: INTER-ACT is an e-health driven multicentre randomised controlled intervention trial targeting women at high risk of pregnancy- and birth related complications. Eligible women are recruited for the study at day 2 or 3 postpartum. At week 6 postpartum, participants are randomised into the intervention or control arm of the study. The intervention focuses on weight, diet, physical activity and mental well-being, and comprises face-to-face coaching, in which behavioural change techniques are central, and use of a mobile application, which is Bluetooth-connected to a weighing scale and activity tracker. The intervention is rolled out postpartum (4 coaching sessions between week 6 and month 6) and in a new pregnancy (3 coaching sessions, one in each trimester of pregnancy); the mobile app is used throughout the two intervention phases. Data collection includes data from the medical record of the participants (pregnancy outcomes and medical history), anthropometric data (height, weight, waist- and hip circumferences, skinfold thickness and body composition by bio-electrical impedance analysis), data from the mobile app (physical activity and weight; intervention group only) and questionnaires (socio-demographics, breastfeeding, food intake, physical activity, lifestyle, psychosocial factors and process evaluation). Medical record data are collected at inclusion and at delivery of the subsequent pregnancy. All other data are collected at week 6 and month 6 postpartum and every subsequent 6 months until a new pregnancy, and in every trimester in the new pregnancy. Primary outcome is the composite endpoint score of pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, caesarean section, and large-for-gestational-age infant in the subsequent pregnancy. DISCUSSION: INTER-ACT is a unique randomised controlled lifestyle intervention trial in its implementation between pregnancies and during the subsequent pregnancy, with an e-health driven approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02989142 . Registered August 2016.status: publishe

INTER-ACT: prevention of pregnancy complications through an e-health driven interpregnancy lifestyle intervention – study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Abstract Background Excessive maternal pre-pregnancy and gestational weight gain are related to pregnancy- and birth outcomes. The interpregnancy time window offers a unique opportunity to intervene in order to acquire a healthy lifestyle before the start of a new pregnancy. Methods INTER-ACT is an e-health driven multicentre randomised controlled intervention trial targeting women at high risk of pregnancy- and birth related complications. Eligible women are recruited for the study at day 2 or 3 postpartum. At week 6 postpartum, participants are randomised into the intervention or control arm of the study. The intervention focuses on weight, diet, physical activity and mental well-being, and comprises face-to-face coaching, in which behavioural change techniques are central, and use of a mobile application, which is Bluetooth-connected to a weighing scale and activity tracker. The intervention is rolled out postpartum (4 coaching sessions between week 6 and month 6) and in a new pregnancy (3 coaching sessions, one in each trimester of pregnancy); the mobile app is used throughout the two intervention phases. Data collection includes data from the medical record of the participants (pregnancy outcomes and medical history), anthropometric data (height, weight, waist- and hip circumferences, skinfold thickness and body composition by bio-electrical impedance analysis), data from the mobile app (physical activity and weight; intervention group only) and questionnaires (socio-demographics, breastfeeding, food intake, physical activity, lifestyle, psychosocial factors and process evaluation). Medical record data are collected at inclusion and at delivery of the subsequent pregnancy. All other data are collected at week 6 and month 6 postpartum and every subsequent 6 months until a new pregnancy, and in every trimester in the new pregnancy. Primary outcome is the composite endpoint score of pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, caesarean section, and large-for-gestational-age infant in the subsequent pregnancy. Discussion INTER-ACT is a unique randomised controlled lifestyle intervention trial in its implementation between pregnancies and during the subsequent pregnancy, with an e-health driven approach. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02989142 . Registered August 2016