The effect of individual counseling intervention on health practices in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract This research was carried out to determine the effect of individual counseling intervention on health practices in pregnancy. This research is a single-blind randomized controlled experimental and follow-up design. Population of the research consisted of 126 pregnant women in total, with 64 of them being in the training group and 64 being in the control group. The research data were collected by using a ‘Pregnant Identifying Information Form’ and ‘Health Practices in Pregnancy Questionnaire (HPQ)’. In this research, it was found that there was no significant difference in total score average of the HPQ before the individual counseling training between the pregnant women in the training and control groups (P > 0.05). It was also determined that there was a statistically significant difference in total score average of the HPQ after the individual counseling training during the second trimester between the two groups (P < 0.05). It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in total score average of the HPQ during the third trimester between two groups (P < 0.05). It has been determined that the training provided with individual counseling to pregnant women is an effective initiative in increasing the health practices of pregnant women.

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The Effect of Writing Therapy on Anxiety in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.5812/ijpbs.98256 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Maryam Montazeri ◽

Khalil Esmaeilpour ◽

Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi ◽

Sevda Golizadeh ◽

Mojgan Mirghafourvand

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Block Design ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Writing Therapy ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Significant Difference

Background: As one of the most enjoyable life experiences, pregnancy may be accompanied by many physiological and psychological changes that make women susceptible to developing mental disorders such as anxiety. Non-pharmacological methods such as writing therapy are among the ways to deal with anxiety. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of writing therapy on anxiety in women during pregnancy. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 pregnant women with a gestational age between 28 - 31 weeks. The participants were assigned to an intervention group and a control group using a randomized block design. The intervention group received three in-person writing therapy-based counseling sessions and two telephone calls between the sessions, while the control group received routine pregnancy care. The Beck anxiety inventory was completed before and six weeks after the intervention. Independent t-test and ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of socio-demographic variables and baseline anxiety scores. Based on ANCOVA with baseline score adjustment, the mean score of anxiety was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group after the intervention (adjusted mean difference = -6.8; 95%CI = -4.5 to -9.1; P < 0.001). Conclusions: According to the results, writing therapy can reduce anxiety in pregnant women; however, further studies are needed before a definitive conclusion.

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Effectiveness of WeChat for Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding in Huzhu County China: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/23273 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. e23273

Author(s):

Qiong Wu ◽

Yiwen Huang ◽

Zijun Liao ◽

Michelle Helena van Velthoven ◽

Wei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Breastfeeding Rate ◽

Significant Difference

Background The benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers have been well recognized. However, the exclusive breastfeeding rate in China is low and decreasing. Mobile technologies have rapidly developed; communication apps such as WeChat (one of the largest social networking platforms in China) are widely used and have the potential to conveniently improve health behaviors. Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of using WeChat to improve breastfeeding practices. Methods This 2-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among pregnant women from May 2019 to April 2020 in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province, China. Pregnant women were eligible to participate if they were aged 18 years or older, were 11 to 37 weeks pregnant with a singleton fetus, had no known illness that could limit breastfeeding after childbirth, used WeChat through their smartphone, and had access to the internet. A total of 344 pregnant women were recruited at baseline, with 170 in the intervention group and 174 in the control group. Women in the intervention group received breastfeeding knowledge and promotion information weekly through a WeChat official account from their third month of pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The primary outcome of exclusive and predominant breastfeeding rate was measured 0-1 month, 2-3 months, and 4-5 months postpartum. Results At 0-1 month postpartum, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than that in the control group (81.1% vs 63.3%; odds ratio [OR] 2.75, 95% CI 1.58-4.78; P<.001). Similarly, mothers in the intervention group were more likely to provide predominantly breast milk (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.55-4.96; P<.001) and less likely to give dairy products to their children (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.75; P=.005). There was no statistically significant difference for exclusive breastfeeding rate 2-3 months (P=.09) and 4-5 months postpartum (P=.27), though more children in the intervention group were exclusively breastfed than those in the control group 2-3 months postpartum (intervention: 111/152, 73.0%; control: 96/152, 63.2%) and 4-5 months postpartum(intervention: 50/108, 46.3%; control: 46/109, 42.2%). Conclusions This study is the first effort to promote exclusive breastfeeding through WeChat in China, which proved to be an effective method of promoting exclusive breastfeeding in early life. WeChat health education can be used in addition to local breastfeeding promotion programs. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017364; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=29325 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7676-2

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The Effectiveness of a Guided Internet-Based Tool for the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety in Pregnancy (MamaKits Online): Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.15172 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Hanna M Heller ◽

Adriaan W Hoogendoorn ◽

Adriaan Honig ◽

Birit FP Broekman ◽

Annemieke van Straten

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Child Outcomes ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Internet Intervention ◽

Control Group ◽

Treatment As Usual ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Affective Symptoms ◽

In Pregnancy

BACKGROUND Pregnant women with symptoms of depression or anxiety often do not receive adequate treatment. In view of the high incidence of these symptoms in pregnancy and their impact on pregnancy outcomes, getting treatment is of the utmost importance. A guided internet self-help intervention may help to provide more women with appropriate treatment. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a guided internet intervention (MamaKits online) for pregnant women with moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression. Assessments took place before randomization (T0), post intervention (T1), at 36 weeks of pregnancy (T2), and 6 weeks postpartum (T3). We also explored effects on perinatal child outcomes 6 weeks postpartum. METHODS This randomized controlled trial included pregnant women (<30 weeks) with depressive symptoms above threshold (ie, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale [CES-D] >16) or anxiety above threshold (ie, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale [HADS-A] >8) or both of them. Participants were recruited via general media and flyers in prenatal care waiting rooms or via obstetricians and midwives. After initial assessment, women were randomized to (1) MamaKits online in addition to treatment as usual or (2) treatment as usual (control condition). MamaKits online is a 5-week guided internet intervention based on problem solving treatment. Guidance was was provided by trained students pursuing a Master's in Psychology. Outcomes were based on a Web-based self-report. Women in the control condition were allowed to receive the intervention after the last assessment (6 weeks postpartum). RESULTS Of the 159 included women, 79 were randomized to MamaKits online, 47% (79/37) of whom completed the intervention. Both groups showed a substantial decrease in affective symptoms on the CES-D, HADS-A, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale over time. In the intervention group, affective symptoms decreased more than that in the control group, but between-group effect sizes were small to medium (Cohen d at T3=0.45, 0.21, and 0.23 for the 3 questionnaires, respectively) and statistically not significant. Negative perinatal child outcomes did not differ between the 2 groups (χ21=0.1; P=.78). Completer analysis revealed no differences in outcome between the treatment completers and the control group. The trial was terminated early for reasons of futility based on the results of an interim analysis, which we performed because of inclusion problems. CONCLUSIONS Our study did show a significant reduction in affective symptoms in both groups, but the differences in reduction of affective symptoms between the intervention and control groups were not significant. There were also no differences in perinatal child outcomes. Future research should examine for which women these interventions might be effective or if changes in the internet intervention might make the intervention more effective. CLINICALTRIAL Netherlands Trial Register NL4162; https://tinyurl.com/sdckjek

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The effect of self-care counseling on health practices of adolescent pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-04203-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ronya Rezaie ◽

Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi ◽

Fatemeh Nemati ◽

Mojgan Mirghafourvand

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Self Care ◽

Control Group ◽

Health Practices ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Link Type ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background Pregnancy and childbirth at an early age are associated with potential risks and complications for adolescent mothers. Health practices are behaviors that can positively affect maternal and fetal health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of self-care counseling on health practices (main outcome), attitudes towards motherhood and pregnancy, and pregnancy symptoms (secondary outcomes) in adolescent pregnant women. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 54 adolescent pregnant women admitted to the health centers of Bukan, Iran in 2020 were enrolled. Using randomized block design, the participants were randomly assigned to the counseling (n=27) and control (n=27) groups. Those in the intervention group attended 6 self-care group counseling sessions. The Health Practices Questionnaire-II (HPQ-II), Attitudes towards Motherhood and Pregnancy Questionnaire (PRE-MAMA), and Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory (PSI) were completed before and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results Based on the results of ANCOVA with controlled baseline values, after the intervention the mean health practices score of the participants in the intervention group was significantly higher than those in the control group (adjusted mean difference (AMD): 36.34; 95% CI: 34.69 to 37.98; P<0.001). The mean attitude towards motherhood score of the participants in the intervention group was significantly higher than those in the control group (AMD: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.06 to 1.96; P= 0.038). However, the mean pregnancy symptoms score of the participants in the intervention group was partially lower than those in the control group (AMD: -1.37; 95% CI: -4.32 to 1.58; P= 0.354). Conclusion Self-care counseling sessions can improve the health practices of adolescent pregnant women and enhance their attitudes towards maternal role and pregnancy. Therefore, planners are recommended to organize self-care counseling programs for all pregnant women, especially for adolescent pregnant women. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20120718010324N54. Date of registration: 2/3/2020. URL: https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/42571/view; Date of first registration: February 3, 2020.

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The Effect of Sexual Counseling Based on PLISSIT Model on Sexual Function of Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

International Journal of Women s Health and Reproduction Sciences ◽

10.15296/ijwhr.2019.61 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 372-379

Author(s):

Zhila Shahbazi ◽

Azizeh Farshbaf-Khalili ◽

Niloofar Sattarzadeh ◽

Mahin Kamalifard

Keyword(s):

Sexual Function ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Control Group ◽

Female Sexual Function ◽

Control Groups ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Sexual Counseling ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Plissit Model ◽

And Control

Objectives: Several factors, including pregnancy which is associated with physical, psychological, and hormonal changes, affect females and their sexual partners’ relation and function. This study aimed to investigate the effect of "permission, limited information, specific suggestions, intensive therapy" (PLISSIT)-based sexual counseling on the sexual function of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: The present randomized controlled trial was performed on 70 pregnant women who had a sexual function score of less than the cut-off point within a gestation period of 16-20 weeks. The participants were randomly divided into intervention and control groups by the blocking method. The intervention group received individual counseling based on the PLISSIT model by a well-trained midwife while the control group only received the usual care for pregnancy. The primary outcome measures were the total score of female sexual function four weeks after the intervention. Finally, the data were collected using a questionnaire of personal and midwifery information, as well as the female sexual function index in previous stages and four weeks after the intervention. All analyses were based on the intention to treat the approach. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean total score of sexual function (adjusted mean difference: 9.07; 95% CI: 7.24 to 10.90) and all the sub-scales that intervention and control groups adjusted for baseline scores four weeks after the intervention (P<0.05). Consultation significantly reduced the frequency of sexual dysfunction and there was a significant difference between the 2 groups in this regard (P<0.001). Conclusions: Given the effect of sexual counseling on the improvement of sexual function of pregnant women based on the PLISSIT model, this approach is recommended during pregnancy.

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The Effectiveness of a Guided Internet-Based Tool for the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety in Pregnancy (MamaKits Online): Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/15172 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. e15172 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hanna M Heller ◽

Adriaan W Hoogendoorn ◽

Adriaan Honig ◽

Birit F P Broekman ◽

Annemieke van Straten

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Child Outcomes ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Internet Intervention ◽

Control Group ◽

Treatment As Usual ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Affective Symptoms ◽

In Pregnancy

Background Pregnant women with symptoms of depression or anxiety often do not receive adequate treatment. In view of the high incidence of these symptoms in pregnancy and their impact on pregnancy outcomes, getting treatment is of the utmost importance. A guided internet self-help intervention may help to provide more women with appropriate treatment. Objective This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a guided internet intervention (MamaKits online) for pregnant women with moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression. Assessments took place before randomization (T0), post intervention (T1), at 36 weeks of pregnancy (T2), and 6 weeks postpartum (T3). We also explored effects on perinatal child outcomes 6 weeks postpartum. Methods This randomized controlled trial included pregnant women (<30 weeks) with depressive symptoms above threshold (ie, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale [CES-D] >16) or anxiety above threshold (ie, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale [HADS-A] >8) or both of them. Participants were recruited via general media and flyers in prenatal care waiting rooms or via obstetricians and midwives. After initial assessment, women were randomized to (1) MamaKits online in addition to treatment as usual or (2) treatment as usual (control condition). MamaKits online is a 5-week guided internet intervention based on problem solving treatment. Guidance was was provided by trained students pursuing a Master's in Psychology. Outcomes were based on a Web-based self-report. Women in the control condition were allowed to receive the intervention after the last assessment (6 weeks postpartum). Results Of the 159 included women, 79 were randomized to MamaKits online, 47% (79/37) of whom completed the intervention. Both groups showed a substantial decrease in affective symptoms on the CES-D, HADS-A, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale over time. In the intervention group, affective symptoms decreased more than that in the control group, but between-group effect sizes were small to medium (Cohen d at T3=0.45, 0.21, and 0.23 for the 3 questionnaires, respectively) and statistically not significant. Negative perinatal child outcomes did not differ between the 2 groups (χ21=0.1; P=.78). Completer analysis revealed no differences in outcome between the treatment completers and the control group. The trial was terminated early for reasons of futility based on the results of an interim analysis, which we performed because of inclusion problems. Conclusions Our study did show a significant reduction in affective symptoms in both groups, but the differences in reduction of affective symptoms between the intervention and control groups were not significant. There were also no differences in perinatal child outcomes. Future research should examine for which women these interventions might be effective or if changes in the internet intervention might make the intervention more effective. Trial Registration Netherlands Trial Register NL4162; https://tinyurl.com/sdckjek

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Chicory Aroma Water for Neonatal Jaundice: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Galen Medical Journal ◽

10.31661/gmj.v6i4.973 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 312-318

Author(s):

Mohsen Manouchehrian ◽

Mehrdad Shakiba ◽

Mamak Shariat ◽

Mohammad Kamalinejad ◽

Mehdi Pasalar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Neonatal Jaundice ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Mean Value ◽

Control Group ◽

Term Infants ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Single Blind

Background: Although neonatal jaundice occurs in 60% of term infants, very little evidence is available on how to prevent it. Given the ethno-medical use of chicory aroma water (CAW) for the management of jaundice by Iranian pregnant women, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the frequent CAW consumption was associated with fewer jaundice symptoms after 40 days. Materials and Methods: A single blind randomized controlled trial was designed to enroll participants from Lolagar Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Pregnant women (n=80) were randomly divided into two groups. The trial group was provided with common diet and an instruction to consume CAW. The control group was maintained on common diet. The proportion of phototherapy and mean value of bilirubin were measured and compared between the two groups. (IRCT registry number: IRCT2017041633475N1) Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean value of bilirubin between the women with frequent CAW consumption compared with the control. Also, the intake of CAW was not associated with a marked improvement in the need for phototherapy (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study highlighted that the intake of CAW by pregnant women failed to ameliorate neonatal jaundice.[GMJ.2017;6(4):312-8] DOI: 10.22086/gmj.v6i4.973

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Effectiveness of WeChat for Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding in Huzhu County China: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.23273 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Qiong Wu ◽

Yiwen Huang ◽

Zijun Liao ◽

Michelle Helena van Velthoven ◽

Wei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Breastfeeding Rate ◽

Significant Difference

BACKGROUND The benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers have been well recognized. However, the exclusive breastfeeding rate in China is low and decreasing. Mobile technologies have rapidly developed; communication apps such as WeChat (one of the largest social networking platforms in China) are widely used and have the potential to conveniently improve health behaviors. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of using WeChat to improve breastfeeding practices. METHODS This 2-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among pregnant women from May 2019 to April 2020 in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province, China. Pregnant women were eligible to participate if they were aged 18 years or older, were 11 to 37 weeks pregnant with a singleton fetus, had no known illness that could limit breastfeeding after childbirth, used WeChat through their smartphone, and had access to the internet. A total of 344 pregnant women were recruited at baseline, with 170 in the intervention group and 174 in the control group. Women in the intervention group received breastfeeding knowledge and promotion information weekly through a WeChat official account from their third month of pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The primary outcome of exclusive and predominant breastfeeding rate was measured 0-1 month, 2-3 months, and 4-5 months postpartum. RESULTS At 0-1 month postpartum, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than that in the control group (81.1% vs 63.3%; odds ratio [OR] 2.75, 95% CI 1.58-4.78; P<.001). Similarly, mothers in the intervention group were more likely to provide predominantly breast milk (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.55-4.96; P<.001) and less likely to give dairy products to their children (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.75; P=.005). There was no statistically significant difference for exclusive breastfeeding rate 2-3 months (P=.09) and 4-5 months postpartum (P=.27), though more children in the intervention group were exclusively breastfed than those in the control group 2-3 months postpartum (intervention: 111/152, 73.0%; control: 96/152, 63.2%) and 4-5 months postpartum(intervention: 50/108, 46.3%; control: 46/109, 42.2%). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first effort to promote exclusive breastfeeding through WeChat in China, which proved to be an effective method of promoting exclusive breastfeeding in early life. WeChat health education can be used in addition to local breastfeeding promotion programs. CLINICALTRIAL Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017364; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=29325 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7676-2

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Breastfeeding Training through Role-Play and Effects on Mother-infant Attachment Behaviours: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ◽

10.25159/2520-5293/6232 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Farokh Saljughi ◽

Mitra Savabi-Esfahani ◽

Shahnaz Kohan ◽

Soheila Ehsanpour

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Maternal Employment ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Role Play ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Maternal Behaviour ◽

Infant Attachment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of

Mother-infant attachment is an intimate, lasting and satisfying relationship that leads to better cognitive, emotional and social growth of the infant. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding training by role-play on mother-infant attachment behaviours. This research was a randomised clinical trial (parallel design). Inclusion criteria were: no history of mental disorders; ability to read and write the Persian language to complete the questionnaire; no history of drug and tobacco intake in primigravida women. The sample comprised 100 pregnant women (in 2 groups), selected through simple random sampling at healthcare centres. The researcher reviewed prenatal care registries of selected healthcare centres and extracted the names of pregnant women in their early third trimester. The data were imported into randomisation software. The control group received routine breastfeeding training, while the intervention group received routine training together with training through role-play. The data collection tool was the Maternal Behaviour Inventory Questionnaire. Consequently 75 samples were analysed in SPSS16. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine the difference between the two groups. Results showed that the mean score of mother-infant attachment one week after delivery was significantly higher in the intervention group in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in maternal age, age of marriage, neonatal gender, maternal employment and education, number of parity, and number of abortions (P>0.05). Since breastfeeding training through role-play could affect mother-infant attachment, it is suggested that this type of training should be provided for pregnant women to promote mother-infant attachment and exclusive breastfeeding.

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Thyroid Dysfunction in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Current Diabetes Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573399816666191223111833 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 895-899 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shahin Safian ◽

Farzaneh Esna-Ashari ◽

Shiva Borzouei

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Thyroid Dysfunction ◽

Control Group ◽

Thyroid Peroxidase ◽

Free T4 ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Experimental Group

Aims: Investigation thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Background: This article was written to evaluate the thyroid function and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti- TPO) antibodies in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Method: A total of 252 women with GDM and 252 healthy pregnant women were enrolled. Thyroid tests, including TSH, FreeT3, Free T4, and anti-TPO were performed for all women at 24–28 weeks of gestation. Data analysis was then carried out using SPSS ver. 22. Result: There was a significant difference between the experimental group (38.4%) and the control group (14.06%) in terms of the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (p= 0.016). The frequency of anti-TPO was higher in the experimental group than the control group and positive anti-TPO was observed in 18.6% of women with GDM and 10.3% of healthy pregnant women (P= 0.008). Conclusion: Thyroid disorders are observed in pregnant women with GDM more frequently than healthy individuals and it may be thus reasonable to perform thyroid tests routinely.

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