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Mama’s life is rewarding but certainly not easy. Finding time for self-care can seem like a feat, especially when juggling co-existing conditions or health concerns, such as gestational diabetes.
Does self-care seem like the last thing you can prioritize right now? We get it, but honestly, you’d be surprised how much you need self-care now more than ever. You don’t have to sacrifice your own comfort to take care of your (growing) family. So, take a deep breath, and continue reading to find support in this self-care guide for mothers with gestational diabetes.
Top Priorities for Self-Care Routines
For expectant mothers managing gestational diabetes, monitoring your blood sugar is an important part of your routine and one that your doctor will help you plan. You want to fully understand fluctuating blood sugar levels throughout the day, for example, observing symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
Some symptoms of hyperglycemia, or excessively high blood sugar levels, include frequent urination, fatigue, weakness, headache, confusion, blurred vision, dry mouth, increased thirst, and , in some extreme cases, nausea or vomiting. Since these symptoms are not exclusive to hyperglycemia, you need to actually check your blood sugar levels in addition to monitoring the symptoms.
This is similar to hypoglycemia, where blood sugar levels are too low, with symptoms ranging from unnatural pallor and irritability to heart palpitations and tremors. You can try to regulate blood sugar levels by consuming fast-acting carbohydrates to replenish your body’s glucose or drinking fluids with electrolyte replacement, but the best treatment is to -avoid, whenever possible.
The more you know your blood sugar levels, the better you can take care of yourself and your baby at any stage.
It’s About the Basics
For any mom, but especially those like you who have a condition that affects their health, it’s all about the basics. Your self-care needs to include a conscious effort to eat right and exercise well, which will benefit not only you but also your baby and the whole family. It goes without saying that you’ll want to take any gestational diabetes medication as prescribed as well as follow your doctor’s advice with frequent follow-up visits and screenings. Other basics include getting enough sleep and aiming for some physical activity every day, whether it’s a short walk around the block or continuing your regular exercise routine with the necessary adjustment for pregnancy, depending on your trimester. Ask your doctor about what types of exercise are right for you.
In general, mothers with gestational diabetes should follow a healthy diet with lean proteins like eggs and fish, non-starchy vegetables like cucumbers and salad greens, healthy fats like avocados and nuts, and complex carbohydrates like beans and berries. Avoid sugary drinks, because these sugary drinks are one of the fastest ways to raise your blood sugar, and increase your water intake instead. You can also come up with a diet plan with your doctor that has more specific dos and don’ts tailored to your individual needs.
Also put your own comfort first
Deliberately prioritizing your own comfort is an effective way to practice self-care and to increase enjoyment of your day and life. It can be as simple as taking a break or giving yourself permission to go to the gym without feeling guilty. You can try to create a work-life balancewhether you have a busy career outside the home or you’re a busy stay-at-home mom or both.
One particular place to consider comfort is in your home. Keeping a clean and tidy home is an important part of maintaining a happy family life, but housework for moms with gestational diabetes can be very daunting. If you feel hopeless when it comes to cleaning your living space, you might want to focus instead on making it look homey. From bringing in nature with houseplants to boosting coziness with throw pillows, a few simple touches can go a long way for you and the whole family.
Be Confident in Your Self-Care Routine
As you practice self-care, the most important thing to remember is that you are doing it for yourself and your family. Practicing self-care is not selfish; rather, an effective self-care routine actually means you can better deal with the stress, responsibility, worry, and activity of motherhood. There are many different self-care strategies, and some will not work for you, while others can be literally life-changing. So don’t feel bad if you end up changing some of the suggestions you implement in your self-care life; your self-care routine probably hasn’t changed, and that’s okay.
When you prioritize your own comfort in addition to fulfilling your responsibilities as a mother and staying confident in your desires for more “me time,” you empower yourself to be the best mom you can be. . You can’t cure your own gestational diabetes, but you can effectively manage your condition while helping yourself, and, by extension, your family, be happier and healthier when you take intentional care of yourself.
Author Bio:
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and writes frequently about health and wellness, but she also enjoys covering the fashion industry and the world of fitness.
