GESTATIONAL DIABETES: MY EXPERIENCE AND SOLUTION

I had checked in for my antenatal with a fasting blood glucose level result of 106mg/dl and a urine analysis result showing glucose to be ++.
From the urine analysis result i knew my results are not good. Am 28 weeks pregnant and i was always urinating, like every 5-15 minutes, cultured my urine no bacteria was found.
Sitting in front of my doctor, she looked at my results and said to me, i will have to diagnose you with GDM- gestational diabetes mellitus. As a diabetes expert i wasn't expecting anything less. I asked her what the glucose target in pregnancy is suppose to be, she said not more than 92mg/dl.
For me reversing it was simple. Below are the steps i took to achieve my present result which is 87mg/dl with no glucose in my urine for the past 4 weeks and counting.
1. Diet modification; i got to the market, i changed my entire food choices. These are the food i shopped for; unripe plantain which i eat either boiled, porridge and sometimes i fry it for snack in the afternoon. Irish potatoes which i use for a lot of wonderful yummies. i replaced my milk with skimmed milk (marvel) and my beverage with lipton. Now this will interest you, i eliminated swallows such as eba, pounded yam, semo etc totally, i started eating my soup with agidi.
I eliminated water melon and pineapple from my fruits since they have the tendency to hike blood glucose, garden eggs, apple, carrots, lettuce became the order of the day. I drastically increased my intake of green leafy vegetables. Another interesting meal i took advantage of its season is fresh corn. i started making delicious corn meal with vegetables. Beans also constituted major part of my meal as i cooked different varieties. I eliminated all canned, bottled and other artifiial drinks, i replaced them with home made drinks like zobo and kunu AYA.  Generally i tried to make healthy choices.
2. Exercise: though i am a very active person even in pregnancy, as the pregnancy advance, the more difficult taking a walk became. I always push myself, outside the normal working day activity, i try to take extra 20-30 minutes walk.

These are the two major simple steps i took and in 2 weeks i was already reaping the results. I advice you share this experience with someone, who knows you may be a saviour.
If you have experience with diabetes you like to share with us, please feel free to comment below or mail us @ diabetesplusmagazine@gmail.com and we will be publishing you right away.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES:MANAGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE

My mum's first encounter with diabetes was during her last pregnancy in 1991.
Gestational diabetes is to mean high blood sugar (glucose) during pregnancy.
Once diagnosed with gestational diabetes the question on your mind may be any of these;

• How will it affect my unborn child?
• How does it affect me?
• Will my blood glucose level be normal again?

Women who develop gestational diabetes never had it until when they are diagnosed during pregnancy. This term does not refer to known diabetics who are pregnant.

EFFECT ON MOTHER AND CHILD.

Risk to child

• If not well managed, the baby have high risk of having low blood glucose and jaundice at birth.
• The baby usually have high birth weight- MACROSOMIA. This causes the baby to be too largeto be delivered vaginally, leading to delivery through cesarean section.
• Most often than not, these babies are delivered before their due date.
• Because the baby develop too fast, early delivery through cesarean section is required, since the lung at the time of delivery is not well developed, the baby may develop respiratory distress.

Risk to mother

• Delivery through cesarean section place the mother at risk of increased bleeding, prolonged recovery and infections.
• The mother may have high blood pressure in pregnancy (PREECLAMPSIA),  This is dangerous to both mother and child.
• Because the body is trying to compensate for glucose, it breaks down fat for energy, thus producing ketones as by product. Ketone can be detected in urine, and it is harmful to both mother and child.

SYMPTOMS
Most expectant mothers do not show any symptoms. Women at risk are usually tested for their blood glucose level between the 24-28 weeks of gestation. this is the period when the baby begins to use insulin. Test method is Oral Glucose Tolerance Test  (OGTT).

MANAGEMENT
Just like in type 2 diabetes, management plans is as follows:

• Diet plan
• Exercise
• Medication (may be insulin)
• Treatment is usually based on outcome of test results.
• Frequent monitoring of blood glucose level at this time is very important

MANAGING GESTATIONAL DIABETES FOR THE FUTURE
Though gestational diabetes increases a woman's chances of developing diabetes in the future, it usually goes away after delivery.
According to American diabetes Association, only 5-10% of women develop type 2 diabetes after giving birth.
6 weeks after delivery women who had gestational diabetes should have a blood glucose test and repeat at least every 3 years.
As soon as you become pregnant again,let your health care provider know you had gestational diabetes earlier, it will help guide them towards prevention or management of diabetes. You can also request for a blood glucose test.
After delivery ensure adequate diet and exercise plan to enable you loose weight and get into shape to prevent diabetes,
Healthy food such as vegetables, fish, fruits, lean meat, whole grain, low or non-fat milk, beans, peas and nuts are of utmost necessity.
Ensure you drink plenty of water at least 8 glasses daily.
Smaller food portions will help you achieve healthy weight.

Walk against diabetes during world diabetes day 2011 in Abuja,Nigeria.

Volunteers walking to curb diabetes



Volunteers dancing during the walk--- music by igbo cultural troupe



Convoy with the Nigeria Road Safety Corps

The 2011 World Diabetes Day in Abuja Nigeria didnot only achieve the aim of increasing diabetes awareness but was also fun for all those who volunteered. A cultural troupe gave pleasure to the walk. Information materials on diabetes prevention and management was distributed to the general public during the walk. We are looking forward to geater things in 2012, join us as we work towards a diabetes free generation. email us on : pdfagainstdiabetes@gmail.com

Be Diabetes aware

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder of carbohydrates. Symptoms include: Excessive thirst, frequent urination, delayed wound healing, Fatigue, Blurred vision.
Types of diabetes include Type 1(Insulin Dependent), Type 2(Non-insulin dependent).
Diabetes is characterzsed by high blood glucose level.
we advice everyone to check their blood glucose level at every given opportunity.

Precious Diabetes Foundation- Diabetes awareness at Suru,Nigeria.