Abstract
ABSTRACTObjectiveTo explore the impact of psychological and social factors on mother‐infant bonding in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) living in the United Kingdom.DesignA cross‐sectional online survey study conducted between November 2022 and January 2023 administered to women who self‐reported current or past (within the previous 1 year) GDM.MethodsThe survey comprised demographic and validated self‐report measures for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, perceived social support, pregnancy and birth experience, and breastfeeding. Mother‐infant bonding was measures using the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale for women who were currently pregnant with GDM (antenatal) and the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale for women with past GDM (postnatal).ResultsN = 149 women (n = 37 antenatal, and n = 112 postnatal) completed the survey. Higher anxiety and depression symptoms and managing GDM using metformin and insulin were associated with poorer mother‐infant bonding for women in both antenatal and postnatal periods. Higher social support was associated with higher mother‐infant bonding scores in women in both the antenatal and postnatal period.ConclusionThe experience of GDM may be amplifying the known risk factors for impaired mother‐infant bonding. Targeted psychological support for women with GDM may be necessary to ensure that their emotional well‐being is addressed as part of comprehensive perinatal care.
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