Experiences of Women with Diabetes Using Wearable Continuous Glucose Monitors During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Jan 5, 2026, 15:41 PM
ADCES Research Committee Member Commentary on This December 2025 Study in The Science of Diabetes Self-Management Care and Education
By Jean W. Davis, PhD, DNP, EdD, APRN, FNP-BC, PHCNS-BC, FNAP
Experiences of Women with Diabetes Using Wearable Continuous Glucose Monitors During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Authors: Hee Sun Kang, Hyang Rang Park, Jangmi Kang, and Chun-Ja Kim.
Use of a wearable continuous glucose monitor (CGM) device during pregnancy is a standard practice and has become the norm for pregnant women with diabetes. The CGM allows a woman to monitor and her glucose level, to self-manage her eating, exercise, and medication to keep the level in her target range. The CGM also allows her healthcare providers to view time-in-range and glucose trends throughout pregnancy for maternal and fetal health.
Through this important qualitative research report Hee Sun Kang and colleagues expand our understanding of how vital CGM wearable device use is perceived by pregnant women. These nurse scientists interviewed 14 perinatal women with diabetes—13 with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) developed during pregnancy and 1 with preexisting diabetes. Three key themes were identified from the interviews: (1) navigating self-care for glucose management by integrating wearable CGM, (2) guidance of health care providers for glucose management and fetal well-being, and (3) expected improvements in affordability and usability.
Women appreciated the enhanced ability to care for themselves based on their ability to continuously see their glucose levels and adjust eating, exercise, or insulin accordingly with guidance from their healthcare providers. However, the CGMs were not perceived as ideal in terms of cost or wearability. Women expressed that sleep was disturbed by CGM placement on the arm, and that an option to place it on the abdomen would be better. Some had a skin reaction to the adhesive, an issue that is now addressed with barrier skin wipe use before a CGM is applied. Also, color-coded visual displays were suggested and are now standard. The ability to express food portions using fractions or photos rather than only whole grams was a suggested improvement also which now exists.
Based on this research, as this vital wearable technology evolves, it is important that all providers advocate for better wearability and lower patient costs to improve the acceptability of CGMs for pregnant women’s health and the health of their babies.