I'm pregnant!

28th June 2016, 12 weeks pregnant watching the most romantic sunset in the world in Oia, Santorini.

In Santorini at 12 weeks pregnant. My husband, Trevor and I stayed in Oia. One of the most romantic places on the planet.

I’ve been soooo excited about this post for 3 months and the day has finally come. There is a little baby 6.6cm (2.59 inches) growing inside me. One trimester into my first pregnancy and I couldn’t be happier. Being pregnant has brought new meaning to life. My husband and I have been planning for a baby for a year. When I say planning, I mean diabetic planning. You see, love making is only one part of a successful diabetic pregnancy. There's a whole myriad of things that need to be orchestrated to create the perfect environment for mum (that would be me yay!) and baby. These “things” consist of gathering a team of health professionals that you trust, feel comfortable with and actually want to attend appointments; endocrinologist, diabetes educator, dietitian, obstetrician, gynaecologist and a psychologist if you desire. In addition to the healthcare team, getting your blood sugar “perfect” or “in range” is like touching wet paint, you know you shouldn’t (eat that donut) but you will anyway. 


When diagnosed I was never told how important I was to managing my diabetes. But that’s just it, you’re never told a lot of things in life. You have to figure things out for yourself. I figured out pretty quickly that I needed to change my insulin requirements daily. But I always thought the doctors would tell me what I needed to know regarding food. It took me 18 years and seeing a dietician (who I love) to ignite my desire for eating less processed food. And what a difference it’s made. You are responsible for educating yourself. You are the director of your life and your healthcare team. You are the CEO, the manager, the day and night supervisor. The team around you matters, like a coach to a star player. That star player is you!! 


I hope sharing my journey, I can inspire and motivate you to take charge of your lifestyle, whether you are diabetic or not. Your lifestyle encompasses so many elements ALL of which affect your blood sugar and insulin levels (diabetic or not). Fine-tuning your choices takes effort, no doubt about it. When there's only vegetables and meat in the fridge and it takes effort to prepare it and all you wanna do is order takeaway, it takes strength to change your habits (clearly I am talking from my own experience). But when there’s a baby inside you, the decision is already made, you muster up the energy, put your Jaime Oliver hat on, and start cooking.


Diabetes is sooooo complicated and can lead to critical self judgement, guilt, blame and regret.. after every time you eat. Think about how many times you eat a day and multiply that by constantly feeling like you just can’t get it right. Then you have a high or low blood sugar as evidence. Exhibit A: the glucose meter or monitor. However I’ve learned by making healthier food choices I’ve made things a little easier for myself. In fact, a lot easier for myself. 


On the flip side, diabetes has gently and forcefully pushed me to learn about carbohydrates and its serious effects on blood sugar levels. Hence, I think very carefully before eating white bread.. or shoving hot, delicious, crispy fries down my throat. Mmmmmm fries. Allow me to digress, a Shake Shack burger is one of my guilty but oh-so-worth it pleasures. Sorry, that’s a double Shake Shack burger. I haven’t eaten one my entire pregnancy (ok, that’s only 3 months, well 13 weeks). Eating healthy involves a lot of work.. but it’s worth it. Rest assured as soon as bubs is born, and I’m in the clear, I will have champagne and Shake Shack (I’m reassuring myself).


You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Recording what you eat and checking your sugar more often or using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is the first step in being honest with yourself. Then you can  moderate or eliminate certain foods to achieve better results. Focus on the good things, congratulate yourself and be mindful when eating (as much as possible). I still eat soooo quickly sometimes and then hope no one was watching me in a restaurant. Like no one. And if they did, I hope they we’re thinking, wow, she eats like me. 


It's an incredible journey and I'll keep you updated the whole way.