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Background Postpartum women with type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing cardiovascular complications. Tai chi qigong is one kind of exercise considered to be effective in improving glycaemic control. However, little is known about the health benefits for postpartum women. Objectives This randomised controlled trial was carried out to investigate the effect of tai chi qigong exercise on plasma glucose levels and health status of postpartum women with type 2 diabetes. Methods Sixty‐four participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=32) and control group (n=32). Participants in the intervention group practised a 50‐min tai chi qigong exercise programme, three times a week for 12 weeks during the period of 3–6 months postpartum. The control group received usual care. Results A statistically significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and blood pressure were seen in the intervention group when compared with the control group (P<0.05) at 12 weeks. Mean fasting plasma glucose in the intervention and control groups at 12 weeks were 120.19 (standard deviation (SD)=17.51) mg/dl and 129.88 (SD=15.23) mg/dl, respectively. There were no significant between‐group differences in body‐weight or body‐mass index at trial completion. Conclusions Tai chi qigong exercise improved glycaemic control and blood pressure in postpartum women with type 2 diabetes. Its use should therefore be considered in clinical and community health services.

The researchers conducted this grounded theory study in order to describe the decision making surrounding management of the pregnancy experience of 38 pregnant, HIV-infected Thai women. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and an open-ended questionnaire, and they were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. We found that "weighing distress" was the core category of the decision-making process. The supporting categories were being ambivalent about continuing the pregnancy, exploring alternative options, and selecting the appropriate choice. Health care providers should encourage family members to participate and be involved in the women's decision-making processes.

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing prediabetes. Using a crosssectional analytic design, the factors related to prediabetes among Thai women (n = 210) with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus were investigated. The main outcomes measured were two-hour plasma glucose after taking a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at a six week postpartum visit. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation. The study showed that the incidence of prediabetes among postpartum Thai women was 26.67%. Factors associated with prediabetes were: (i) being over 35 years of age; (ii) three or more pregnancies; (iii) recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus; (iv) high plasma glucose before taking a 100 g glucose tolerance test and high postprandial plasma glucose during pregnancy; and (v) being overweight or obese at six weeks' postpartum. The results showed that nursing interventions need to be implemented to reduce plasma glucose and body mass index in order to prevent or reverse prediabetes.

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