Predictors of Hyperglycemic Women's Perinatal Health Status

Background: Hyperglycemic women face dramatic physiological and psychosocial changes during the perinatal period; however, studies examining hyperglycemic women's health are few, and limited to cross-sectional designs.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine changes in hyperglycemic women's stress, social support, depression, and health status from pregnancy to 1 year postpartum, and to identify factors predicting hyperglycemic women's perinatal health.

Methods: Ninety-nine participants with positive results in a 50-g glucose challenge test were recruited in a medical center in southern Taiwan. A repeated measures study was conducted; measurements were made at 28 weeks of pregnancy, and 1 week, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after childbirth. The Social Support Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire, and the Chinese Health Questionnaire were used.

Results: Compared with hyperglycemic women's depression at 28 weeks of pregnancy, significant decreases in mean depression scores were found at 1 week and 1 year postpartum. Hyperglycemic women's health status improved at 6 months and 1 year postpartum. Depression significantly predicted hyperglycemic women's perinatal health status.

Linking evidence to action: Stress and depression are associated with perinatal health status in hyperglycemic women. Healthcare providers should more closely assess stress and depression levels in hyperglycemic women from pregnancy to 1 year postpartum. Interventions promoting the psychological well-being of hyperglycemic women are required.