I Had Gestational Diabetes and Am Now a Type 2 Diabetic

by Connie
(USA)

I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant. I was 38 years old and it was considered a high risk pregnancy for diabetes, as well as for my age. During a routine urine test, the Doctor found sugar in my urine, and they decided to stick my finger and see what my blood glucose level was. My glucose level was 178. I cried when the Doctor told me I had diabetes. The Doctor wanted to put me on insulin, but I refused to take insulin because I hate needles. However, this was enough to scare me to stay on a diet. I went on a diet and I kept my blood sugar under control when I was pregnant. My glucose level stayed down in low 100's which was very good. I even lost 20 pounds while I was pregnant and this was amazing. My baby was healthy and weighed 8 pound 13 ounces. Unfortunately, my diabetes stayed after I gave birth, and I am currently a type 2 diabetic. It is much harder to control my diabetes now that I am not pregnant because being pregnant was a motivator since I was concerned about the baby's health. Sometimes it is easier to consider the health of someone else than it is to consider our own health. I try to control my diabetes with diet and exercise because I don't like to take medicine but it is a struggle sometimes.