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Introduction Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 12% of women all over the world and its control is important. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises are one of the approaches being used for pregnant women with gestational diabetes to help prenatal attachment and reduce depression, anxiety and stress. Methods This randomised controlled trial of women with gestational diabetes randomly allocated 60 women into either an intervention group or a control group. Over a period of 30 days, the intervention group was asked to practice diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 5 min, once a day. Individuals in the control group were invited to talk about their pregnancy twice during the same time period. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a pregnancy identification form. Outcome measures included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI). Results The mean age of in the intervention and control groups was 30.6 ± 3.3 and 31.3 ± 3.1, respectively, while the mean gestational age was 27.2 ± 0.8 and 27.2 ± 1.0, respectively. The increase in PAI value on day 30 compared to day 1 was more significant in the intervention group than in the control group (p = .000). The rate of decrease in the total DASS score on day 30 compared to day 1 was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p = .000). Conclusion The results of the study indicate that diaphragmatic breathing exercises appear to provide positive effects on psychological state and may increase levels of maternal-foetal attachment.

Nursing education consists of trainings on theoretical information as well as laboratory and clinical practice. This study aims to investigate the views, experiences and feedback of 3 rd year nursing students regarding the theoretical and practical training on the Women's Health and Diseases Nursing Course. The study was descriptive in nature. Target population consisted of 1520 students who were enrolled in 3 rd year between the 2002-2003 and 2012-2013 academic years in Istanbul University, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing. All students who were enrolled in the course in spring and fall semesters within this 11–year period, who accepted to fill in the evaluation form and who filled in the form accurately were involved in the study (n=1200). The data were collected through the course evaluation form developed by the instructors of the course. Students who received the Women's Health and Diseases Nursing Course reported their evaluations about the course in written forms at the end of the term. Analysis of the data was performed using frequencies and percentiles. Majority of the students reported that theoretical courses were informative (71%) and enjoyable, but intensive (41%); the instructors were knowledgeable and willing to teach (80%), they maintained interest in the course; and the students were pleased with the course as a whole (77%). Besides, 63% of the students stated they established effective communication with the instructors. Majority of the students were found to consider themselves qualified in applying the nursing process. Most of the students also stated that they considered themselves qualified in applying the course-related skills in the clinical setting. Most of the students considered themselves qualified in applying the course-related knowledge, skills and practices, and they were pleased with the course as a whole.