Telehealth is essential in a state as vast as Western Australia. As we celebrate our sixtieth anniversary, NATALIE ESCOBAR gives an insight into our Telehealth clinic for women with gestational diabetes.
Pregnancy is a time of big adjustments and emotions, and for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, there are added concerns. For those in rural or remote areas diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus, or GDM, access to local health services can be limited.
Tara Stevens, diabetes educator and clinic leader, founded the Diabetes WA GDM clinic in late 2020 to support those mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes in rural and remote WA.
Responding to the rise in gestational diabetes
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
It is currently the fastest-growing type of diabetes in Australia, with around 1 in 7 women who gave birth in WA diagnosed with GDM in 2024, although the total number is likely to be higher as this figure does not include all pregnancies.
The Diabetes WA GDM clinic has since expanded to working with between 20 to 40 clients at any given time. It is a multidisciplinary team of three diabetes educators – Tara, who has a nursing background, Linda Bradbury, a dietitian, and Sally Kwong, a trained pharmacist.
Diagnosis usually occurs during a routine Oral Glucose Tolerance Test at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy; however, the test is sometimes done earlier in women who have a higher risk of developing GDM.
Many women with GDM go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies. Early diagnosis through the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test and proactive management can make a significant difference, leading to a safe and healthy pregnancy journey for both mother and baby.
The GDM Telehealth Clinic
Tara runs us through a typical day at the GDM clinic.
“Each week, I check for new GDM patients and add them to our follow-up list. Admin sends a Monday reminder for the Tuesday clinic.”
Tara says to make the process smoother, most women will email their blood glucose levels and note their preferred call times.
Depending on the treatment, a typical appointment at the GDM clinic can run from 15 minutes to an hour. During the appointment, a step-by-step approach is taken to ensure clarity and ease for clients.
First, the educators will review the mother’s recorded blood glucose levels. Next, the educator with talk with the client about how the treatment is progressing and address any changes in diet, with a focus on carbohydrate intake.
If new treatment options, such as medication or insulin, are introduced, the educator will consult with the mother’s obstetrics team, ensuring medications are used safely and efficiently.
“We’re an extension of the obstetrics team,” Tara says, explaining that regular email updates from doctors help maintain strong communication.
Who can access the GDM clinic?
The clinic welcomes women from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds across Western Australia via Telehealth and also offers in-person appointments at the Diabetes WA clinics.
It offers flexible options to ensure a safe and comfortable environment, including arranging interpreters or providing resources translated into various languages.
One of the educators, Sally Kwong, even offers appointments in Cantonese. The clinic also provides support to Aboriginal women and has resources and videos tailored to the Indigenous community.
The educators understand that sometimes life can get in the way and emphasise the importance of reaching out to patients they haven’t heard from.
What happens after the birth?
Being a new mum can be overwhelming, and Tara says the team will check in with mothers post birth. “Around six weeks postpartum, I follow up to remind women about their diabetes screening and check in on their recovery and mental health.”
For women who want more postpartum support, the GDM clinic recommends Baby Steps, an online program offered by Diabetes WA that empowers women to implement lifestyle changes and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
Do you have any questions about gestational diabetes?
The GDM Telehealth clinic is free to all pregnant women living in rural or remote WA who have recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and are looking for support.
We take referrals from obstetric services we regularly collaborate with, or alternatively, you can self-refer via our telehealth service by calling the Diabetes WA helpline on 1300 001 880.
We also see women with gestational diabetes at our metro clinics for face-to-face appointments, and anyone living in Western Australia with questions about diabetes can call our free helpline on 1300 001 880.
If you’ve had gestational diabetes, you can also register for the free Baby Steps program.
