Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is diagnosed in 19% of all pregnancies in Australia. GDM is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy (gestation). Like other types of diabetes, GDM affects how cells use sugar (glucose). It causes high blood sugar and if not managed properly during pregnancy it can cause problems for both the pregnant woman and baby: 

Baby is at increased risk of: 

• excessive birth weight which can lead to difficult births that leads to birth injuries and/or unwanted interventions; 
• early (preterm) birth may be recommended because of larger baby which carries a range of potential complications as baby has not fully developed; 
• low blood glucose shortly after birth; 
• higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Pregnant woman is at risk of:

• high blood pressure and preeclampsia;
• Increased interventions in childbirth like C-section;
• developing GDM in later pregnancies
• developing type 2 diabetes later in life with around 1 in 2 women diagnosed with GDM developing type 2 diabetes in the future. 

With no quick fix for GDM, lifestyle and diet changes are required as well as blood sugar monitoring and close monitoring of baby. This can overwhelm women already adjusting to the demands of pregnancy. Mobile health applications have been shown as a useful resource for women with Type 1 diabetes and could successfully contribute to GDM management by supporting women to better monitor their blood sugar levels, diet and physical activity. 

UC researchers undertook the development of an app to better support pregnant women to successfully manage GDM.