Abstract
Purpose: To explore the relationship between selected factors and
exercises, as well as between exercise and two-hour postprandial
blood glucose levels in pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes
Mellitus (GDM).
Design: A secondary analysis.
Methods: Through convenience sampling, a sample of 90
pregnant women with GDM was recruited from the antenatal
units of Siriraj and Rajvithi Hospitals. Data were collected using
personal information questionnaire, self-report exercise and blood
glucose level record forms. Descriptive statistics and the
correlation coefficients were used for data analysis.
Main findings: Factors significantly associated with exercises
during pregnancy included hours of daily work outside a living
place (p < .05), GDM classification (p < .05), and exercises before
pregnancy (p < .05). Exercises before pregnancy was significantly
associated with two-hour postprandial blood glucose levels
(p < .01), whereas the exercise during pregnancy was not.
Conclusion and recommendations: The findings suggested that
nursing interventions designed for decreasing blood glucose level
should include promoting pregnant women with GDM doing
exercises before and during pregnancy. Nurses should provide
information about benefits and strategies to increase pregnant
women’ confidence to perform exercises before and during
pregnancy, especially women who had risk factors such as family
history of diabetes, previous GDM, and aged over 30.