Caring For Yourself and your Plus One

Turning the page on Gestational Diabetes, with Continuous Glucose Monitoring devices.

Diabetes Care|Nov. 19, 2024

Pregnancy is a whirlwind of emotions, filled with anticipation, and a drive to nurture the tiny human growing within. For some, this phase comes with an unexpected detour – a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, a condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Those who have been managing diabetes (since before conception) are familiar with the intricacies of blood sugar regulation. They, thus, may be better equipped to manage their glucose levels alongside the changing needs of their body and their baby. Receiving a diabetes diagnosis in the midst of pregnancy, on the other hand, evokes a lot of mixed feelings. Not only are you navigating the physical and hormonal rollercoaster of pregnancy, but are now presented with the variable of fluctuating blood sugar levels. The good news is that with more education, care and attention, it is possible to balance this complex equation. The key is to manage your glucose levels in a way that ensures your and your baby’s wellbeing during pregnancy and childbirth, and possibly reduces the likelihood of your gestational diabetes turning into a chronic condition post childbirth. 

A glimpse is not enough

Once you have the diagnosis, the most important step in managing diabetes is consistent monitoring of your blood sugar levels— this gives you and your healthcare providers the opportunity to understand your health condition early on and work with you to create a care plan to keep your glucose levels stable. Healthtech tools like sensor-based Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices can discreetly track your data in real-time, giving you and your doctor key insights about your glucose levels. The continuous stream of data makes it easier to manage your health, as it gives your doctor more insight into the inner workings of your body.

Balancing the equilibrium of wellness

Gestational diabetes is not a static condition, but an interplay of factors influenced by genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices, and medical care. Regulated physical activity, rest, and medical supervision can help to keep a check on glucose fluctuations. However, following a balanced lifestyle isn’t always easy when you have so much going on. For starters, you are nurturing the health of your baby along with your own. Besides, there are other responsibilities that call for more time; from groceries to work deadlines. But there’s help at hand, to let you monitor your glucose levels on even the busiest day: health tech devices like sensor-based continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) tools track your glucose levels around the clock, telling you how your food intake, activity levels and lifestyle choices impact your blood sugar. These insights can help you to plan a personalized gestational diabetes diet of healthy, nutrient-rich meals that nourish you and your baby, while maximizing the amount of time your glucose levels remain within normal range.

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A labor of love, care and compassion

Your glucose trends tell a story about your health. That said, there are emotional and psychological dimensions to gestational diabetes that may be affected by factors beyond your control. Gestational diabetes is linked to postnatal depression (PND)— a condition experienced by at least 1 in 10 people within a year of giving birth, possibly due to the added stress of managing gestational diabetes or because of the hormonal changes associated with diabetes itself. While healthtech devices take the edge off health management, it's natural to experience a wave of emotions during this life-changing time – anxiety about dealing with glucose fluctuations and uncertainty about how it might affect your baby. It is important to remind yourself that you don’t have to deal with this on your own— reaching out to your healthcare provider,  or therapist if you find yourself struggling, is an essential part of self-care. It helps to be intuitive to your body’s needs and embrace your support system to address these challenges. Family members and loved ones being familiar with the symptoms of mental distress go a long way to identify any potential concerns early on, and cope with them effectively.

Beyond Diagnosis: A celebration of motherhood

Gestational diabetes can feel like a discordant note in an otherwise harmonious pregnancy, but it doesn’t have to drown out the excitement of your newborn's arrival.  It is a temporary condition; and a balanced approach will help safely bid adieu to glucose fluctuations during and post birth. Technological advancements are making this possible, empowering mothers to celebrate every milestone through pregnancy and prepare for the journey of motherhood with confidence.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.