Psychological impact of the diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

The psychological impact of the diagnosis of gestational diabetes was examined in 68 pregnant women. No differences between the women with gestational diabetes and 50 non-diabetic pregnant controls, matched for gestational age, were found on the Profile of Mood States--Bipolar Form. Contrary to clinical lore, the prescription of insulin was not found to have an adverse effect on the emotional status of women with gestational diabetes. In this diabetic population whose blood glucose levels were well controlled, psychological status was not found to be related to blood glucose levels. The results suggest that the majority of pregnant women adapt readily to the unexpected diagnosis of gestational diabetes.