Ten Lies About Diabetes in Pregnancy - And the Truth
When you find out that you have diabetes in pregnancy, you may feel like your pregnancy is spoiled.
Confronting the lies about diabetes in pregnancy
You were cruising along, picking out strollers and thinking about baby names, and now something unexpected and scary is happening. And to top it off, there is an abundance of misinformation about diabetes, some of it fed to you by well-meaning friends, relatives, and your own inner Negative Nancy.
Let’s look at these lies one by one and counter them with the truth.
Knowledge is power, my friend, and the more you learn about diabetes, the more effectively you can conquer it!
Lie One: Diabetes is my fault
Let’s settle this right now. Diabetes is not your fault. You are not being punished. Some people have a genetic predisposition to diabetes – they have family members with the condition. Or you may have risk factors, like being overweight. That doesn’t mean you are to blame for diabetes. Let’s just begin where you are and move forward.
Lie Two: I have no control over diabetes
That’s a scary thought, and we all have it when we first find out that we are diabetic. The truth, though, is that you have almost all the control. Stay with me, and I will show you how to crush this!
Lie Three: My pregnancy is destined for a bad outcome
Nonsense! Most women with diabetes have healthy babies.
Lie Four: I will have to take insulin or dangerous medications to treat diabetes
Also not true. The majority of women with diabetes in pregnancy are able to manage it with diet, exercise, and a little common sense. And if you are placed on medication of any kind, you and your baby will be monitored closely. Most medications can be stopped after the pregnancy.
Lie Five: I will have diabetes forever
Not necessarily. Although it’s true that women with gestational diabetes are at increased for risk for developing Type II diabetes, there are steps you can take to reduce that risk. This is not a curse. It’s a stroke of luck that you are finding out about your risks, so you have the opportunity to be healthier long-term.
Lie Six: I will have to deprive myself of my favorite foods
A diabetic diet is not a deprivation diet. You simply have to learn the tricks of combining foods and managing portions of carbohydrates. It’s a process, but once you get the hang of it, diabetic eating will make you feel better than ever, with so much more energy!
Lie Seven: There is no time to make a difference
It’s never too late to make a difference. No matter when you are given this diagnosis, there are positive steps you can take to improve your well-being and your baby’s.
Lie Eight: I am alone
You may feel alone, but trust me, there are women all around you experiencing the same freak-out and overwhelm. I am here to help, and so is your community.
Lie Nine: I can’t eat out at restaurants
Sure you can. You will learn to navigate restaurant menus like a boss. I’ll show you how.
Lie ten: This is too complicated
Blood glucose monitoring? A brand new diet? More OB office visits? I can’t do this.Now we are at the heart of your resistance. Diabetes is big. I get it. But you can conquer it, with some very real support from me, and your OB provider, and some excellent resources that I’ll share.
In conclusion
Feel better? I hope so. Remember that I have you, yes you, tucked in my pocket. Sending you my love, my expertise, and the tools you will need for your new path.