Overview
If you have recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will be contacted by mail to attend a class within two weeks.
There, diabetes educators and dietitians will provide information about how to best to manage your diabetes. If you would like further information before the class, you can visit the Diabetes Australia and National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) websites.
Getting here
Find us at:
300 Princes Highway
Werribee Victoria 3030
For more information on getting here, visit Werribee Mercy Hospital .
Location details
Outpatients Reception 1
How can people get access?
Phone: Outpatients Clinic 03 8754 6700
Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm
Outpatient Clinics (antenatal and medical/surgical clinics) are located in the small standalone building facing Princes Highway next to car park 5 (P5).
Once inside the Outpatient Clinics building, follow the yellow line for surgical/medical clinics and the red line for antenatal clinics.
If you have an urgent concern about your diabetes after hours, please phone Maternity reception on 03 8754 3400
Opening hours
Monday–Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm
Your appointment
What to do before
You can read Diabetes Australia’s dietary guidelines and start making healthy changes to your diet before your first visit.
What to bring
Please bring:
- Medicare card
- a pen to complete forms
- water bottle
- small snack
What to expect on the day
Your first visit with the diabetes service will take two to three hours.
You will participate in a group information session with six to eight other women, facilitated by a diabetes educator, dietitian and lactation consultant. Your partner or support person is welcome to attend. Please note you will need to make alternative care arrangements for any other children.
We can provide sessions with an interpreter for women who do not speak English.
More information
Team Composition
During your pregnancy with gestational diabetes, you will be supported by a team including:
- diabetes educators
- dietitians
- midwives
- lactation consultants (breastfeeding nurses).
Depending on your pregnancy you may also see:
- endocrinologists
- obstetricians.
What questions should you ask
You will learn how to manage gestational diabetes, including healthy eating and exercise in pregnancy, and how to test your blood glucose levels. You will receive a blood glucose meter and some sample testing strips, and we will show you how to use them. You will register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme for these supplies.
Discharge information
The class is interactive and you will have an opportunity to ask questions. You will receive a new blood glucose meter and we will show you how to monitor your blood glucose levels.
Additional support
Following the class, you will be offered a review appointment with the dietitian within one to two weeks.
Opportunities to be involved in research
We participate in research projects and you can choose to be involved. Find out more about research projects at Mercy Health, and how they can potentially benefit other mothers, families and babies, by talking to a clinician.
Who to call if you have concerns afterwards
We advise you call us if you have three high blood glucose level readings in a one-week period. Contact us on 03 8754 3133.
For health professionals
This service provides gestational diabetes care including commencement of insulin. The team includes diabetes educators, dietitians, midwives, obstetricians and endocrinologists.
How to prepare the patient
Women with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus birthing at Werribee Mercy Hospital are no longer permitted to participate in a shared care model of maternity care. All general practitioners and patients will be notified of this.
What/when you should refer to us
Please refer any women with gestational diabetes.
GDM is diagnosed if any one or more of the 3 results are elevated after an OGTT
- Fasting glucose ≥5.1 mmol/L
- 1 hour glucose ≥10.0 mmol/L
- 2 hour glucose ≥8.5mmol/L
What/when you should not refer to us
Women with pre-pregnancy diabetes should be referred to the endocrinology clinic and antenatal clinic, for pre-pregnancy counselling and antenatal care.
Additional contact details
To contact the shared care liaison midwife, call Kerrie-Ann Parr on 03 8754 6700.
To contact the diabetes educators, call 03 8754 3133.
More information
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