I was always concerned about getting Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) during each pregnancy because of the complications it can cause. I’d say I was fortunate with my first two pregnancies, but not with my third, as I was diagnosed with GDM at such an early stage. Well, there’s no one else to blame but myself since I was overweight at the time. >_<
It took me by surprise at first, but I soon realised that it was a manageable journey. However, it took a lot of patience and discipline, especially since I love food! Anyway, follow along as I recount my experience from the moment I was diagnosed, what I did to improve my eating habits and ensure a healthy pregnancy even with GDM, and what happened after birth.
Being Diagnosed with GDM
This is how it all began. I was about ten days past due for my period, so I took a urine test and discovered I was pregnant! Using an online pregnancy calculator, I discovered that I was still in the early stages of pregnancy, so my husband and I decided to wait a few weeks before opening the ‘pink book’ at the clinic.
When the time came, I went to the clinic and did the basics at the front desk, such as measuring height and weight, providing the date of my last period, and briefing about the previous two pregnancies, before waiting to be called in.
When I sat in front of the doctor, my BMI was the first thing she noticed; she said, “Your BMI shows that you’re overweight, so you’ll have to do the ‘sugar test’ next week to check for diabetes!” I was caught off guard because, in my first two pregnancies, I didn’t have to take the glucose tolerance test until I was nearly 30 weeks pregnant!
So, whether I liked it or not, I had to prepare myself by fasting the night before the test. They took my fasting blood first, then asked me to drink the glucose liquid (which made me gag every time; just thinking about it gives me the heebie-jeebies!). I then had to wait 2 hours after the drink, without eating or drinking anything, before they took my blood for the second time.
That was the end of the test and I had to wait about a week to get my results. It was nerve-racking waiting for that call from the nurse, especially since I had no prior experience with GDM. I don’t even think I have time to show any symptoms because it was too early. :s As a precaution, I began searching for GDM warning signs.
Possible GDM signs and symptoms
(Source: Medical News Today)
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Extreme thirst
- Nausea
- Frequent bladder, vaginal, or skin infections
- Frequent urination
- Sugar in the urine
I got a call from the clinic a week after the blood test, and my heart was racing like crazy. When I picked up the phone, the nurse said, “Ms, based on the sugar test result, you have GDM. You must return for an HbA1c test (average blood sugar level over the previous three months) and begin recording your BSP (Blood Sugar Profile) test results four times a day, every two weeks.”
I was gobsmacked and terrified, wondering if I would have to take diabetes medication or begin insulin injections. Nonetheless, I pulled myself together and began telling myself that I needed to be strong and change whatever was necessary to ensure the health of my unborn child.
Pregnant with GDM and Making Diet Changes
To be honest, when I was diagnosed with GDM, I was more concerned about how it would affect my baby than I was about myself. It’s terrifying to think that GDM can endanger the baby and the delivery process such as causing:
- Big baby
- Premature birth
- A severe problem with breathing
- Obesity or Type 2 diabetes when the baby grows up
- Stillbirth
My nurse and doctor also advised me to change my eating habits and to eat cleaner and healthier. Because I was already overweight, I aimed to gain as little weight as possible to avoid harming my baby. So, by the time I was about to give birth to my third child, I had gained only about 5kg compared to my first pregnancy, when I gained nearly 13kg!
Anyway, I changed my diet completely and avoid sugar at all costs. This is roughly my diet to ensure that I do not gain too much weight and that I maintain my BSP reading.
- Eat rice 2-3 times per week.
- Avoid eating noodles after discovering that they cause my BSP to skyrocket (this may differ for others).
- Only consume whole wheat bread and wraps.
- No sugary drinks at all.
- Desserts, if I’m really craving, just like 2 spoons (then I feel guilty!).
- I don’t eat many fruits, but I do eat a lot more vegetables.
- I can only drink chocolate milk, so I would make it very light.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid constipation.
That was pretty much my diet for the duration of my pregnancy. Oh, and my nurse also explained the symptoms of hyperglycaemia (high sugar) and hypoglycaemia (low sugar) to me, as shown below.
Hyperglycaemia
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Dry skin
- Hunger
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
Hypoglycaemia
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Anxious
- Dizziness
- Hunger
- Fast heartbeat
- Impaired vision
- Weakness/fatigue
- Headache
- Irritable
Basically, the two most important things I had to watch out for during my GDM pregnancy were my diet and my BSP reading. Regular blood sugar testing was strange at first, but I got used to it and even bought my own glucometer.
Approaching Term and After Birth
And just like that, I’ve taken 14 days’ worth of BSP readings at two weeks intervals (14 x 4 = 56 pricks on the finger!). While waiting for my next BSP on July 16th, I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl! The funny part was (sorry, it’s funny now that I think about it), at my last appointment with my doctor, she was so concerned that as a GDM patient, I couldn’t go past my due date, which was on July 30th, and she was already talking about inducing me two weeks early and all that.
Hearing that, I silently yelled “Noooo!” Then, I kept telling my baby in the womb, “Please come out early baby, don’t let me get induced, please,” day and night ;p The panic attack I had from not wanting to get induced >_< I’m so glad my baby arrived two weeks early, but as someone with GDM, it doesn’t end there.
Before my baby could be discharged, the nurse had to take a BSP reading to ensure that her blood sugar level was normal. It was upsetting to see newborn small feet being punctured for the reading (I’m so sorry, baby!). After about a month, I had to repeat the ‘sugar test’ to ensure that diabetes didn’t stay with me. My test was great news, but I am now concerned that it will occur later in life.
My Advice to My Fellow Ladies
If you intend to become pregnant, it is best to keep an eye on your weight and what you eat to avoid gestational diabetes. Even though GDM can occur at any stage of pregnancy, I believe that taking care of yourself before becoming pregnant is the first step toward ensuring a healthy self and pregnancy. 
Take care and stay healthy, dearies! 🙂
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