‘Gestational Diabetes was a Blessing in Disguise,’ Says Emirati Business Woman

Seeking to inspire other women

In the case of Nashwa, she went on to develop type 2 diabetes in 2012 after her third child and now wants to raise awareness about the dangers of a poor lifestyle and importance of proper diabetes management during pregnancy. She says that being diagnosed with gestational diabetes was the wake-up call she needed to turn her life around.

“I always had bad eating habits, skipped meals and would have a big dinner right before bedtime. When I was told that I had gestational diabetes, I changed my ways because I was worried that the baby would have diabetes or would be affected by my high blood sugar levels. I followed the ICLDC clinical team’s instructions on diabetes management to the letter and was blessed with a beautiful child,” says Nashwa, who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Abu Dhabi-based media production and consultancy firm Pyramedia Group.

“I learned that a workaholic like me, who is stressed and neglects her body’s need for good nutrition and exercise, can easily fall into the vicious trap of diabetes.”

Dr Tarig Abdalla, a consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at ICLDC who has been assisting Nashwa in her diabetes management since the second pregnancy, says that along with the help of a diabetes educator and dietitian, they were able to reduce her blood sugar levels to the target range of 70 – 120 mg/dL for an uncomplicated pregnancy.

“Nashwa’s blood sugar level was quite high when she came to us, so we had to start her on insulin therapy and advised her on dietary and lifestyle measures. She managed quite well, and her baby was born the right size, which shows that she had good control of her blood sugar.”

Nashwa says that she was fully aware of these risks and went for regular check-ups throughout the pregnancy.

“I had to deal with hypoglycaemia while I learned how to manage my diabetes during the initial stages. I was constantly worried about how the diabetes might affect my child and I got regularly tested to ensure that my baby was not affected by my yo-yo blood sugar levels. Since I had gone through this once, I was better prepared during my third pregnancy. Throughout this time, I was supported by the team at ICLDC and continue to see Dr Abdalla every three months for an assessment.”

Dr Abdalla says there is a worldwide trend of increasing obesity rates and unhealthy lifestyle habits is fuelling the problem. He adds, “The numbers are also increasing because the diagnostic criteria have changed in the past decade.  Expectant mothers with a fasting blood sugar level of more than 95 mg/dL are considered to have gestational diabetes.”

But he stresses this diagnosis means women can turn things around on time. “Ninety per cent of women who have gestational diabetes can successfully manage their blood sugar with diet and

lifestyle changes alone. This is positive news because it increases their awareness about type 2 diabetes and makes them adopt healthy habits for themselves and their children.”

Nashwa echoes her doctor’s advice, saying: “We should all take good care of ourselves, nourish our bodies with nutritious food, movement and rest. I’m always worried for my children too and try to lead by example. I’ve made eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly integral to our lives and keep a watch on the risk factors and symptoms of type 2 diabetes.”