My first pregnancy went well for the most part. Aside from the 60-pound weight gain, morning sickness, and disappearing ankles, I was healthy and happy throughout. When I found out I was pregnant with my second, I figured everything would go pretty much the same. Sure, I was eight years older now, but I was still in my 20s and generally healthy, so I had no reason to suspect that any complications would arise. By around 24 weeks, I was proud of myself for not having gained as much weight as I had the first time.
I was convinced that I had done something wrong that was now putting me and my baby at risk of lasting health complications, but it turns out gestational diabetes can happen to anyone.
But a week before Christmas, during my second trimester, my doctor’s office called to break some news: I had gestational diabetes. I was confused. I had thought that a gestational diabetes diagnosis was reserved for those who gained excessive weight with their pregnancy, much like I had with my first. In fact, my weight gain in my first pregnancy and the short time in which I had gained it led my doctor to believe that I’d had gestational diabetes back then, but my tests had come back normal. I hadn’t gained too much weight this time, so how could I have gotten a gestational diabetes diagnosis now?
I was given an appointment with a nutritionist, and while I anxiously waited for it, I did some research. I was convinced that I had done something wrong that was now putting me and my baby at risk of lasting health complications, but it turns out gestational diabetes can happen to anyone. Around 10 percent of pregnant women each year, in fact, receive a gestational diabetes diagnosis. While there are some factors that can increase the chances of its occurrence, the cause is largely out of our control: placental hormones sometimes cause blood sugar levels to increase, overloading mom’s insulin levels, which in turn results in this temporary form of diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually resolves on its own once baby is born—but there are risks to both the mom’s and the baby’s health, and it increases the baby’s chances of being born with type 1 diabetes and the mom’s chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
I felt strangely empowered; it seemed I had more control over this than I thought.
Seeing the nutritionist calmed my nerves significantly. It turned out I was one of the lucky ones: I had type A1 gestational diabetes. This meant my blood sugar wasn’t too dangerously high, and I’d likely be able to control it with diet and exercise. The other form, type A2, involves much higher blood sugar levels and requires medication and/or insulin shots. I was given a blood sugar testing kit and taught how to use it, a chart to record my four daily readings, and some nutritional information that helped me figure out what was and wasn’t OK to eat. I felt strangely empowered; it seemed I had more control over this than I thought.
Armed with my diabetes-safe grocery list and an upbeat, Mama Bear attitude, I removed anything from my house that might tempt me to indulge my sweet tooth. I was already eating healthily (or so I thought), but my nutritionist gave me strict instructions to watch my carb intake, switch any approved carbs to whole-grain or brown options, and nix the sweet and salty snacks completely. I was still allowed to have one cup of sweetened coffee every morning but warned to watch my numbers. My go-to snacks were now fruits and vegetables, and while it seemed quite miserable in the beginning, it was easier to transition than I expected. I started enjoying eating healthier snacks, and reached for crunchy red grapes and juicy tangerines when I felt a sweet craving coming on.
I initially worried that my eight-year-old might be difficult to sway to these new habits, but true to form he was supportive and understanding throughout. I still allowed him to have some kid-friendly stuff, but I just didn’t keep it in the house. My midwife advised me that walking after eating brings blood sugar down, so my son and I adopted an after-dinner walking routine and started walking to and from school, which was a great opportunity for some quality time in addition to the exercise we were both getting. It also helped to lower my stress levels, which is of course important during any pregnancy, but especially a diabetic one.
My go-to snacks were now fruits and vegetables, and while it seemed quite miserable in the beginning, it was easier to transition than I expected.
When my baby was born, he was two pounds smaller than his brother had been, which I attributed to my careful eating during the last trimester, but I’ll never know for sure. My amazing postpartum nurses checked his blood sugar twice daily, making sure there were no lasting effects from the placental hormones, and I continued my scheduled monitoring for the first day. Thankfully his readings all came back normal, as did mine. We were seemingly out of the woods, but I was warned to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as diabetes would always be a risk for both of us. We were both checked again at six weeks postpartum and given the all clear.
When I received my gestational diabetes diagnosis, I initially thought it would make my life miserable. I couldn’t have been more wrong—in fact, I’m grateful for the changes it inspired. My tiny, perfect baby is now a healthy 10-year-old boy, and neither of us have had any signs of diabetes recurrence. Our lifestyle is active (to match his endless energy) and we take full advantage of the year-round delicious produce that we’re blessed to have in California. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that his favorite food is fruit!
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