It is anticipated that the proposed changes to diagnostic criteria will increase rates of gestational diabetes in Queensland and Australia ¹  leading to a rising demand for intervention, ranging from medical to supportive care strategies. Innovative approaches will be required to meet this demand.

Peer support offers opportunities for people to feel emotionally connected by sharing of experiences. This can decrease emotional isolation and anxiety thereby improving self management of the condition. You2 Connect is a telephone based, Queensland wide, peer support pilot program for women newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Trained volunteers from across the State who have experienced gestational diabetes in the last 1-3 years provide six phone calls to newly diagnosed women over a period of 12 weeks. All volunteers undergo risk assessments and comprehensive training delivered by an experienced Social Worker and Credentialled Diabetes Educator. Peers are assessed for compatibility based on their experience of gestational diabetes and demographic details.

Support phone calls aim to encourage women to maintain a healthy lifestyle, during and post pregnancy and provide confidence to communicate regularly with health professionals in order to manage their condition effectively.

While peer support has proven a very successful supportive care strategy in type 2 diabetes ² , it is a relatively innovative model of care in gestational diabetes. While this requires further investigation and program evaluation will be conducted, we intend this to be a further source of support for women with gestational diabetes, complementing advice and information provided by health professionals.