I did not have any risk factors for gestational diabetes, except that diabetes (adult-onset) runs in my family, both sides.
I was horrified, mad, angry and scared when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I hesitated to write about it under the "Diabetes" category, because my diabetes had a definite end-date, but I at least can talk about the "tip of the diabetes iceberg" that I experienced. And, as a result of my gestational diabetes, I am now at higher risk of developing adult-onset diabetes, along with being labeled a "high risk pregnancy" (if/when we choose to have another child).
So, I was not a happy pregnant woman. Everything hurt, and I was surprised that it was not just the typical back pain and swelling belly. I just did not realize that pregnancy effects your ENTIRE body...circulatory system (almost doubling your blood-volume), hormonal and endocrine systems, even your BONES change--women's spines actually lengthen and pelvis grows...ouch! Your vision worsens, too..I could go on and on. Pregnancy was not just about swollen ankles for me.
When I went in for my regular checkup, doing the regular blood tests that are ordered and was Dx with gestational diabetes, I had to learn quick what that meant, how to control it, how to emotionally deal with it...I didn't have much time to let it sink in, since it was also effecting my baby (whom I lovingly referred to as a parasite at the time...I told you I didn't love being pregnant!).
I learned to hate the number 30. And 15. They were everywhere. You can only have 30 grams of carbs at lunch. 15 grams for snack. But you can have 45 grams for dinner! woohoo! That equates to two stinkin' slices of bread and a tiny apple. What made me angry was that eating "healthy" was not even an option, as fruit---healthy, right?!--has lots of carbs. And, when you're pregnant, isn't that when you can eat whatever you want, for one time in your life?! Plus, you hear about "good carbs" and "bad carbs", and I live under the philosophy of "there are no "bad" foods", and our bodies *need* carbs for fuel...so where did that leave me as far as my choices? I became anxious about not wanting to "count carbs" for fear that I would develop an eating disorder.
Well, I can go on and on...but in the end, I was able to deal with learning about carbs, the finger-pricking five times a day, knowing that it would soon end. Now, I feel better educated as to how to eat in a healthy manner for my blood-sugar levels, and that I have the tools to help prevent adult-onset diabetes.
There seems to be a lot of resentment with the diagnosis of this disease, as a few of my friends have diabetes, as well as my close relatives, who have been living with this disease for decades. Have you found this resentment to hold true in yourself or loved ones? How have you managed to control the emotions surrounding diabetes?
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I did not have any risk factors for gestational diabetes, except that diabetes (adult-onset) runs in my family, both sides.
I was horrified, mad, angry and scared when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I hesitated to write about it under the "Diabetes" category, because my diabetes had a definite end-date, but I at least can talk about the "tip of the diabetes iceberg" that I experienced. And, as a result of my gestational diabetes, I am now at higher risk of developing adult-onset diabetes, along with being labeled a "high risk pregnancy" (if/when we choose to have another child).
So, I was not a happy pregnant woman. Everything hurt, and I was surprised that it was not just the typical back pain and swelling belly. I just did not realize that pregnancy effects your ENTIRE body...circulatory system (almost doubling your blood-volume), hormonal and endocrine systems, even your BONES change--women's spines actually lengthen and pelvis grows...ouch! Your vision worsens, too..I could go on and on. Pregnancy was not just about swollen ankles for me.
When I went in for my regular checkup, doing the regular blood tests that are ordered and was Dx with gestational diabetes, I had to learn quick what that meant, how to control it, how to emotionally deal with it...I didn't have much time to let it sink in, since it was also effecting my baby (whom I lovingly referred to as a parasite at the time...I told you I didn't love being pregnant!).
I learned to hate the number 30. And 15. They were everywhere. You can only have 30 grams of carbs at lunch. 15 grams for snack. But you can have 45 grams for dinner! woohoo! That equates to two stinkin' slices of bread and a tiny apple. What made me angry was that eating "healthy" was not even an option, as fruit---healthy, right?!--has lots of carbs. And, when you're pregnant, isn't that when you can eat whatever you want, for one time in your life?! Plus, you hear about "good carbs" and "bad carbs", and I live under the philosophy of "there are no "bad" foods", and our bodies *need* carbs for fuel...so where did that leave me as far as my choices? I became anxious about not wanting to "count carbs" for fear that I would develop an eating disorder.
Well, I can go on and on...but in the end, I was able to deal with learning about carbs, the finger-pricking five times a day, knowing that it would soon end. Now, I feel better educated as to how to eat in a healthy manner for my blood-sugar levels, and that I have the tools to help prevent adult-onset diabetes.
There seems to be a lot of resentment with the diagnosis of this disease, as a few of my friends have diabetes, as well as my close relatives, who have been living with this disease for decades. Have you found this resentment to hold true in yourself or loved ones? How have you managed to control the emotions surrounding diabetes?
February 14, 2008 - 3:13pmThis Comment
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