There I was, confidently navigating through my third pregnancy, convinced I had everything figured out. But then, I began experiencing some unusual symptoms.
First, my thirst became insatiable. I was chugging a liter of water first thing in the morning and downing two more liters throughout the day. It felt like I could consume an entire warehouse of bottled water and still be thirsty—almost like a mythical curse.
Next, my vision started getting blurry, which I initially dismissed, recalling that pregnancy could mess with my eyesight as I’m already nearsighted. However, the fatigue I felt was unlike any typical pregnancy tiredness; it was overwhelming and relentless.
Around week 27, I noticed these symptoms, and when I failed the one-hour glucose test at week 28 and the three-hour test at week 29, I wasn’t shocked when I received the call confirming my gestational diabetes diagnosis.
Understanding Gestational Diabetes
For those unfamiliar with gestational diabetes (GD), it occurs only during pregnancy and is typically not permanent. However, it does increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on, making it crucial to learn how to regulate sugar intake and maintain a healthy level of physical activity. Interestingly, breastfeeding can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes by half—how amazing is that?
During pregnancy, hormones can disrupt insulin production, which is responsible for converting blood sugar into energy. This disruption can cause excess sugar in your blood to flow to your unborn child, leading to significant weight gain and potential complications such as premature birth and jaundice.
Receiving the diagnosis was overwhelming. I immediately thought about the cheesecake I had indulged in, the extra bites of fries, and those delightful mango smoothies. I felt guilty, as if I had already failed my unborn child, despite the fact that I was “eating for two.”
Adjusting to a New Diet
Before my appointment with the diabetic nurse and dietitian, I found myself frantically searching online for information about sugar and gestational diabetes. My doctor advised limiting sugar, and without any knowledge of my daily sugar levels, I impulsively committed to a complete sugar detox.
That was a real struggle. For five days, I felt loopy and drained while my body adjusted to a diet of lean meats, nuts, fresh vegetables, and limited fruits. Goodbye coffee with creamer, sugary mocktails, and cheesecake.
On day six of the detox, my cranky uterus sent me to the hospital with false labor contractions. Thankfully, both my baby and I were fine, but I had to let go of sugar, which proved exceptionally challenging. Sugar is hidden in everything, and I found myself researching the sugar and carb content of every food item before taking a bite. This was inconvenient but necessary, forcing me to rethink what I consider a healthy portion and what qualifies as a “treat.”
Shifting Perspectives
While gestational diabetes may be a temporary hurdle in my journey to a healthy pregnancy, it has significantly shifted my perspective on food. What once served as a source of comfort now needs to be redefined as fuel for my body and my developing baby. This aspect of gestational diabetes isn’t inherently negative, but the rest of the experience? Well, it’s definitely not a walk in the park.
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In summary, my experience with gestational diabetes was unexpected and challenging, but it has prompted a much-needed reevaluation of my relationship with food, steering me towards healthier choices for both myself and my baby.