A cross-platform mobile application was developed according to the DoTTI (Design and develOpment, Testing early iterations, Testing for effectiveness, and Integration and implementation) framework, and guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour and Behaviour Change Wheel theories. Content on needs were identified from interviews with GDM women and health care providers (HCPs), and latest evidence-based guidelines. The application underwent alpha and beta testing using the Mobile App Rating Scale and System Usability Scale.

Experience, barriers and facilitators in diabetes prevention interventions were thematically analysed (16 GDM women, 30 HCPs) and incorporated into the app development. In the alpha and beta testing, most participants (14 GDM women and 12 HCPs) reported it as interesting and interactive. Six participants highlighted the need for guidance to navigate the application. Suggested improvements include: the need for more localised recipes, baby-friendly exercises, and the pre- and postnatal interfaces should be better discriminated. The application finally has GDM-related information, recipe choices with their nutritional content and preparation methods that is trans-cultured to local perspectives, carbohydrate exchanges that are tailored to energy requirement, information and videos on exercises, mental wellbeing, medication and health monitoring (weight, glucose and blood pressure measurements), interaction with HCPs, news page, frequently-asked-questions chatbot, and embedded motivational interviewing messages.