According to National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) a Statistical Snapshot at 31 December 2017 identified 38,171 women were registered in the last 12 months with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. This was an increase of 2% in the last 12months, ending December 2017. Further to this, 128,136 women who previously had GDM were sent reminder letters to have a check for type 2 diabetes.
You have been given the role of developing an education program for women diagnosed with GDM.
It is important that the education program will inform women of all aspects associated with the diagnosis, the management, associated risks factors and complications associated with GDM including the prevention of a poor outcome associated with poor glycaemic control to both mother and baby.
You are to refer to current Australian clinical recommendations and guidelines where available, ensuring correct reference values of mmol/L when discussing glucose level.

Topics you should include in your education (Structure)
-Introduction – What is Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
-Screening and diagnosis of GDM
-Aetiology
-Antenatal, Intrapartum and Postpartum Care
-Blood Glucose Monitoring
-Glycaemic reference targets
-Dietary Management of GDM
-Physical Activity and GDM
-Pharmacological Management of GDM
-Self-Administration of Insulin
-Treatment of medication side affects
-Conclusion

It is your choice as to how you set out your education program, it must flow logically.

Criteria
Explains the definition of GDM and describes how the development of GDM differs from T1 and T2 diabetes.
Identifies risk factors that contribute to a woman being diagnosed with GDM. Provides good understanding of GDM, identifies the probable cause of GDM at cellular level and majority of factors that increase the risk of a woman developing GDM. Compares this to risk factors of developing T1 and T2 diabetes.
Explains testing requirements to diagnose GDM and diagnostic criteria used for confirmation of GDM diagnosis. Provides good information with reference to current guidelines and recommendations for diagnosis of GDM. Identifies and provides appropriate explanation of the appropriate test used to diagnose GDM and diagnostic criteria with reference to correct measurement values for Australia
Explains associated implications to both mother and baby during Antenatal, Intrapartum and Postpartum care if poor glycaemic control is a factor. Discusses the Antenatal, Intrapartum and Postpartum risks to mother and baby.

Demonstrates a good understanding about the risk associated with poor glycaemic control to the health of both mother and baby. Demonstrates sensitivity when discussing poor outcome factors affecting a smooth vaginal delivery, for the mother in terms of delivering a large baby, and the implications to the baby in terms of pre term delivery, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, respiratory distress, jaundice and neonatal hypoglycaemia.
Discusses the management GDM from diagnosis.
Identifies target range of glycaemic control, Blood Glucose Monitoring.
Explains the importance of healthy eating, and physical activity during pregnancy. Demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of blood glucose monitoring in management of GDM, with reference to
blood glucose monitoring as a management tool. Explains correct technique, frequency of testing including times test needs to be performed and rationale. Identifies correct glycaemic target ranges with reference to Australian measurement.
Refers to appropriate guidelines and recommendations for healthy eating including frequency of meals and snacks with reference to importance of carbohydrate consumption. At each meal. Includes recommendations for physical activity in management of GDM
Explains the need for Pharmacological treatment in GDM.
Identifies which medication is recommended for use in GDM, including the administration route and clinical effect.
Discusses side effect and treatment of both oral medication and insulin injection. Demonstrates good knowledge by identifying recommended oral hypoglycaemic agent, meal time and bed time insulin type and timing of medication administration. Superior understanding of clinical effect and side effect of all medication discussed