Women with gestational diabetes (GDM) are at high risk for the future development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The Diabetes Prevention Study has demonstrated that the risk of developing T2D can be reduced amongst women with impaired glucose tolerance who have had GDM, with an intensive lifestyle intervention. However despite the obvious need, post-pregnancy interventions have not been translated into routine care.
Our group has been trialling the use of mobile health technology to develop a post-pregnancy intervention to reduce diabetes risk following GDM. Our system utilises text messaging and activity monitors to encourage and support a healthy lifestyle post-partum. We have conducted a 60 woman pilot RCT which has demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of the program. We are currently performing a larger 180 woman RCT.
The long term aim is to implement an affordable system which is effective in reducing diabetes risk, and which can be adopted into routine care.