Can you blame women with diabetes, who just had a baby, for having worse “control” after delivery?? Notice I put “control” in quotes. I’ve written previously about why I don’t like to use that word, but I’m using it today for emphasis (and because I’m quoting a study).
There are many reasons why it makes sense to me that women with diabetes would have less than ideal blood glucose levels after giving birth. Pregnancy with diabetes on board is a lot of work. It’s exhausting to be pregnant baseline, and then add all the finger sticking, medication dosing, health care provider visits, food choices, constant worry (and quite a bit of guilt), low blood glucose treating and more. And of course, it’s all for a good (amazing) cause!
Self-care goes out the window for most new moms (with or without diabetes). The last thing a new mom is thinking about is her blood glucose or remembering to take medications or exercise. She has only one thing on her mind: BABY.
Once a woman delivers that beautiful baby, low blood glucose kicks in because there are no more pregnancy hormones, and if she’s breast-feeding that can cause lows as well. And can you just imagine how badly she wants a hot dog or a Margarita or whatever else she didn’t eat/drink for up to 40 weeks?
So I propose a new approach for post-partum women with diabetes. I think there should be a “relaxation window,” where women have a slightly higher A1C target, and while being encouraged to take care of themselves, they are not harrassed or made to feel guilty.
This goes for moms with diabetes who have just adopted a baby and new dads with diabetes as well, by the way!