BACKGROUND: Women diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Victoria are advised to complete a 6-week postpartum Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) via their GP. However, follow-up rates remain low due to barriers such as false reassurance, limited awareness of diabetes risk, inadequate postnatal support, and newborn care challenges. Migrant families, first-time mothers, and infants requiring extended neonatal care are particularly affected, heightening their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (T2D).
AIM: To enhance postpartum OGTT follow-up and reduce T2D risk using a dual-role nursing model within neonatal and maternal and child health nursing (MCHN) services.
METHOD: A nurse qualified in neonatal care, MCHN, and diabetes education identified gaps in OGTT follow-up. Neonatal nurses educate mothers of infants with hypoglycaemia about glucose management, GDM, and the importance of postpartum OGTT. MCH nurses flag GDM in the Child Development Information System (CDIS), ensuring consistent reinforcement at Ten Key Ages and Stages visits. This allows MCHNs to reinforce the need for OGTT, offer tailored education, and provide culturally appropriate support to families at increased risk of developing T2D.
RESULTS: The dual-role approach effectively strengthens postpartum diabetes screening and preventive care. Integrating GDM status within CDIS enhances continuity, promoting consistent follow-up and education across early childhood visits.
CONCLUSION: Empowering nurses through diabetes education and embedding interventions within neonatal and MCHN settings creates essential follow-up opportunities. Sustainable improvements require collaboration between nurses, GPs, and broader primary care teams, forming a coordinated, system-wide strategy to reduce T2D incidence among women with prior GDM.