Christine Newton, a new mother from Brisbane on her experience. She figures out how to adjust to life with gestational diabetes following the birth of her daughter, Indiana. Indiana, just two weeks old, is booming! Her mom is just glad the little one has passed her blood sugar tests, so they can go home as soon as possible. This unfortunate experience speaks to a very disturbing trend. During the last five years, diagnoses of gestational diabetes have increased by 70%, affecting tens of thousands of expectant mothers each year.
Newton was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks of pregnancy. Her self-management plan required her to check her glucose levels four times a day with extreme vigilance. The diagnosis introduced a new set of worries — dangers, such as stillbirth and preterm birth, that I had to consider. “I was definitely terrifying once you find out and then told of the risks that come with diabetes, it is a shock,” she admitted.
The recent surge in diagnoses have sent up red flags across the health community. Associate Professor Jo Laurie, the director of obstetrics at Mater Mothers in Brisbane, emphasizes the importance of awareness surrounding this condition. She pointed out that more women are starting pregnancy with pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, further adding to the alarming statistics.
Understanding Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes happens when the body is unable to process glucose as efficiently during pregnancy. Nearly one out of five pregnant women will be given this diagnosis. Nearly one-third of women with gestational diabetes require insulin injections during their pregnancies. For the 30% not producing enough insulin, a healthy diet and sometimes medication are enough to control the disease.
Professor David Simmons expressed concern over the growing number of diagnoses, stating, “It is extremely concerning. We do not want these large numbers of people having these kinds of risks.” He elaborated that three main factors accounted for this increase. These factors include hormonal changes from the placenta, older maternal age at first pregnancy, and increasing obesity and inactivity rates among expectant mothers.
Women like Christine Newton experience a lot of guilt with their diagnosis. “Women often feel like they are at fault when they get diagnosed and are quite concerned they have done something,” said Laurie. Newton echoed these sentiments, reflecting on her own initial reactions: “I was thinking, what have I done to get this? What could I have done better? Have I hurt little bub?”
Managing the Condition
Although gestational diabetes can seem overwhelming, most women are able to control it through changes in diet and exercise. Christine Newton focused on her diet and exercise regime during her pregnancy, despite facing sleepless nights as a new mother. “I managed that with the help of the team, especially the nutritionists,” she remarked.
After delivering, Newton’s gestational diabetes went away, though she is careful and very aware about protecting her long-term health. The Mater’s new postnatal clinic is now keeping her under the radar for any risk factors. Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes face a serious worry. By these measures, they have a 30-50% chance of progressing to type 2 diabetes within the next 10-15 years.
Having gone through this experience, Newton said she felt hopeful. She was convinced that the discipline she built in pregnancy would serve her well. “It is always there, and the habits I have learnt now will help me not to get diabetes in the future I hope,” she said.
The Road Ahead
With the rising awareness surrounding gestational diabetes, healthcare providers are finding more ways to improve the screening process. A/Prof Simmons warned that existing diagnostic approaches risk over- and under-diagnosing. “Glucose levels fluctuate,” he explained. When you draw an arbitrary line and say if you are above this line you have got something and if you are below this line then you don’t, you are always going to miss some on both sides.
Given the surging incidence of gestational diabetes, a greater familiarity with the condition is essential. Expectant mothers and healthcare professionals deserve appropriate management strategies to combat this increasing concern. Christine Newton adjusts to motherhood in a new way, upon seeking conscientious care. Today she’s just as thankful for the support she got along her journey to pregnancy.
