We are taught to believe since childhood that women are born to be mothers. But the road to being pregnant and being a mother does not come very naturally and easily to every woman. And when you realize that you do not fit into the society’s concept of an ideal woman, what goes through your mind, is turmoil.
Seetal Savla is an Indian, born and brought up in the UK. She has a blog Savlafaire in which she reviews food and has exclusive restaurant reviews. It was all good till the realization struck after an unexpected pregnancy and miscarriage, that she really wanted to have babies. But there was a long tough journey ahead.
Since having babies naturally did not happen to Seetal and her husband, they decided to go through IVF. They have since had four cycles of failed IVF and they are now trying to use donor eggs for the next cycle. Each IVF try has its own struggle in terms of expense and also trying to keep a positive outlook.
In India, a lot of stigmas are attached to infertility -the constant questions on what is wrong, the look of judgement in people’s eyes, the weird superstitions and solutions that suggested to overcome the issue – leaving one with a feeling of being incomplete. In spite of living in a developed country, Seetal still had to go through all of this, maybe to a lesser extreme. Seetal decided to be more vocal about her experience so that other women who are going through don’t feel alone and know they can always be there for each other. She also strongly believes that to bring about a long-term change in the outlook of the society towards infertility and IVF, it is necessary to have sex education in schools and remove the taboo around menstruation. Cheers to Seetal @SavlaFaire for being so courageous and trying to make a change in the world!
Infano is a platform that aims to impact every facet of a woman's life - health, career, motherhood, lifestyle, and much more. We are a team of like-minded individuals who wish to be a support to women from all walks of life and in everything they do. Our aim, through our posts and articles, is to bring to light the issues and problems that women face in their day-to-day life, to try and make their life a little easier and a little better, provide the latest news updates of women around the world, and to highlight their big and small achievements. We celebrate womanhood each and every day.
For many pregnant women, their blood sugar levels elevate during pregnancy causing gestational diabetes. This is diagnosed through blood sugar testing and those with Gestational Diabetes (GD) are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Managing this condition can be quiet challenging because they have to be mindful of what they consume to make sure that their blood sugar does not increase and this can be difficult at a time when the nutritional needs of mother and baby are paramount but you have to make certain choices given an added condition of GD.
So how can you deal with this apart from the nutritional and medical aspect?
“Just being pregnant seems to invite advice or comments from well-meaning relatives to random strangers”, says Robyn Compton, a gestational diabetes dietitian. “Add in a diagnosis of GD & suddenly there are all these “experts” telling you what you should or shouldn’t be eating”.
Robyn Compton is a dietitian who has a private practice in Melbourne, Australia. She specializes in assisting and supporting women with Gestational Diabetes. More recently she has also worked as a research dietitian with adults with type 1 diabetes.
Getting evidence-based information for women with gestational diabetes is her goal. Follow her on Instagram at Gestationaldiabetes_Dietitian
It is stressful enough to deal with a diagnosis of GD. It’s a big learning curve in terms of understanding the condition, management & eating plan. Then there’s your own worries & feelings about GD, your pregnancy & having to change your diet. The last thing you need is someone commenting on your food choices or giving unsolicited, insensitive & often incorrect dietary advice. Every case of gestational diabetes is different & what works for one woman may not work for another. That fact in itself is often the easiest comeback to any unhelpful advice.
How should a mom-to-be react when they receive a GD diagnosis?
“Being diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (GD) can come as quite a shock. It can be very upsetting. Many emotions arise. Initially, it can feel quite overwhelming. Guilt & shame are very commonly experienced by women. Unfortunately, diabetes stigma exists due to ignorance about the condition & why it occurs. It is important to know that GD is NOT your fault. You didn’t cause this condition. It is not because you ate too many sweets. The reasons are multi-factorial but mostly a result of hormonal, genetic & cultural influences which are out of your control. It’s normal to feel angry. It’s not how you imagined your pregnancy journey. Understanding more about the condition & its management can clarify questions”.
“Talking about it can help to lift that burden. Distress and anxiety about the impact of GD on your baby, pregnancy & your own health are very understandable. Talking with your doctor & health professionals who specialize in diabetes can answer many questions & offer basic support, as well as talking with supportive family or friends”.
What kind of awareness and support should they look out for?
“You may feel overwhelmed with how you need to manage GD. Being armed with the right GD education, advice & support makes a huge difference. Seeing a diabetes educator and/ or midwife initially is recommended to understand how to monitor your blood glucose levels (BGLS) & learn more about GD management. Seeing a dietitian specializing in GD can help to answer all the practical questions about food, types, amounts, meal planning, pregnancy nutrition & provide ongoing support. Generally, with this assistance, women with GD will manage well but it’s very normal to have good & bad days. It’s ok to acknowledge if you are struggling. For further support speak with your Diabetes Team or health care provider”.
What about women who are asked to take insulin?
“Remember that despite attention to diet & exercise, some women may need to take insulin to assist with optimizing blood glucose levels (BGLs). Genetics & hormones contribute to insulin resistance. This is not your fault. Some women may just need bedtime insulin (long-acting) to control elevated fasting levels. Others may need mealtime insulin (short-acting) at 1, 2, or all 3 meals. Or any combination of the above, based on individual BGLs”.
What kind of postpartum care would you suggest for women with GD?
“If you have just had your baby following a pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes ( GD). Congratulations!! It was a big job managing your GD during pregnancy. Well done to have got through that challenging journey. Now you are at home with your little one, life continues to be busy but in different ways. You are juggling many new roles, with usually much less sleep. Your energy levels need to be supported with adequate nutrition, rest, sleep & self-care. If you are breastfeeding, the energy demands are further increased”.
“However, women who have had GD have usually been advised about their increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in the future. Some women feel the pressure to lose any extra pregnancy weight quickly or feel that they need to follow a restrictive postpartum diet plan. This is what I suggest:
It is not a race. It’s a steady journey back to look after your future health.
Your body has just grown a baby and is nurturing a newborn. It is pretty amazing and should be celebrated & appreciated.
Don’t compare yourself with others. Women’s bodies recover at different rates in their own time. And women have very different experiences with how their baby’s feed and sleep too.
Just focus on you and your baby. Nurture your physical & emotional health with healthy sustainable lifestyle changes.
Hold onto any healthy eating habits which are in your control & you enjoy. Be active when your body is ready & you feel up to it. Take it day by day as you find your new path.
As time progresses, routines generally get more established for your baby, family & you. However, your energy levels still need to be respected.
Reach out for support whether it’s with feeding or sleeping issues for the baby or your own physical & mental health needs.
A healthy lifestyle continues to be important for future health of course but in your individualized realistic framework.
Seeking advice from your dietitian down the track can provide extra support if needed. Postnatal online lifestyle programs are another option some women find helpful when they are ready.
“BOTTOMLINE: Take the pressure off yourself to do everything at once. Enjoy your little one. Remember your self-care needs too”, adds Robyn.
Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin has done her masters in Journalism & Communication and has worked as a senior journalist, editor and columnist for leading publications like The Logical Indian, Deccan Chronicle, Worldwide Media Corporation, The Bridge and Provoke.
With Infano, she hopes to create more awareness about women’s health issues. Suffering with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, she has also been advocating for its awareness through media.
