Abstract:

Abstract This is a qualitative-descriptive study conducted in 2018, at a university hospital in the state of Goiás, which aims to investigate how pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus experienced their diagnosis and hospitalization and to identify coping strategies for dealing with the disease. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six pregnant women. Data analysis was inductive, from the full transcription and curious and exhaustive reading of interviews, later organized in thematic axes and analyzed based on chronic diseases, pregnant women and coping. Four themes emerged: Perceptions about the diagnosis; Experiences related to hospitalization; Coping strategies; and Relationships between emotions and gestational diabetes mellitus. There were feelings such as anxiety and anguish regarding the diagnosis and difficulties with dietary changes during hospitalization. The main coping strategies were related to self-care and social/family support. Regarding emotional aspects, there was no consensus that it is a determining factor for changes in the disease.

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