How I Managed Gestational Diabetes While Pregnant and Pursuing a Degree

"The diagnosis felt like an impossible task—like getting a phone call that said, 'By the way, you need to run a marathon tomorrow without any training, or your baby will die.'"

A Pregnancy Unlike the Movies

I remember it so clearly—being five months pregnant, feeling a kind of exhaustion that dug deep into my bones. My pregnancy wasn’t the glowing, blissful experience you see in movies or on social media. It was five months of constant nausea, barely being able to keep anything down, all while trying to make it through one of the hardest semesters of my biochemical engineering degree. I’d finally hit a point where the nausea let up, and in a bid to just feel normal, I started eating whatever I wanted—something, anything that I could stomach. But then, came the bombshell: gestational diabetes. Suddenly, I wasn’t just managing my degree, a pregnancy, and a job; I was told I had to manage my blood sugar down to every last carb, or my baby would suffer.

From Guilt to Determination

The diagnosis felt like an impossible task—like getting a phone call that said, "By the way, you need to run a marathon tomorrow without any training, or your baby will die." Except it wasn’t even a marathon I could run—it was a relentless cycle of meal planning, carb counting, and blood sugar monitoring. The worst part was the guilt. The media and even some healthcare providers made it seem like it was entirely my fault. I remember days when all I could keep down were Cheez-Its, and now, suddenly, I needed to meal prep three balanced meals and three snacks every day, all with exact macros and micronutrients. I was drowning.

There were days I spent hours crying over my blood sugar numbers, feeling like I was failing myself and my baby. But somewhere in those tears, I found a new determination. I realized that I had already survived some of the hardest months of my life—pregnancy sickness, a brutal academic schedule, and now this. If I could tackle biochemical engineering, surely I could learn how to manage my blood sugar. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t perfect, but I made it through.

What is Gestational Diabetes? Understanding the Condition

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It happens when your body can't produce enough insulin to handle the increased needs during pregnancy, leading to high blood sugar levels. It’s not just about craving sweets or eating too many carbs—gestational diabetes is primarily influenced by the hormones your placenta produces, which can interfere with insulin's ability to do its job.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that gestational diabetes only affects people who eat poorly or are overweight. In reality, it can happen to anyone—sometimes no matter how healthy your habits are. The added pressure that this condition puts on you, especially when you're already exhausted from pregnancy, is immense. And contrary to what some people may think, it’s not something you can just wish away by “eating better.” It takes planning, perseverance, and a lot of trial and error.

Managing Gestational Diabetes When You’re Exhausted

Managing gestational diabetes felt like a second full-time job, and I’m not going to pretend it was easy. But here are some things that helped me keep my blood sugar steady:

• Batch Cooking and Freezing Meals: On the rare days I had more energy, I’d batch cook as much as possible. Having meals ready to go in the freezer saved me on days when cooking was the last thing I could manage.

• Finding Easy Staples: I found a few simple staples that didn’t spike my blood sugar and were easy on my stomach. Things like Greek yogurt with berries, almonds, scrambled eggs, and whole grain toast became my go-to. It wasn’t always exciting, but it worked.

• Blood Sugar Tracking: It was exhausting, but tracking my blood sugar after meals helped me see patterns. I learned which foods worked for me and which didn’t. It took time, but eventually, I had a better sense of what my body could handle.

• Gentle Movement: I wasn’t up for intense exercise, but I made it a point to take short walks after meals when I could. Even 10-15 minutes of walking helped bring my blood sugar down.

• Building a Support Network: Talking to other moms who were going through the same thing was a lifesaver. I found an online group of women also managing gestational diabetes, and it helped me feel less alone.

The Real Struggles and Successes

I wish I could say I had it all figured out from the start, but that’s not true. There were nights when I would lie awake, wondering if I was doing enough or if I was letting my baby down. I had moments of absolute despair, standing in my kitchen at midnight trying to prep snacks for the next day, knowing I still had a mountain of coursework to finish. But I also had moments of triumph—like the time I realized my blood sugar had been stable for a full week, or when I found a snack that made me feel full without making me feel sick.

The truth is, managing gestational diabetes is hard, and it’s okay to admit that. It’s okay to cry, to feel overwhelmed, to need help. The important thing is to keep going, to keep trying. I learned that perfection wasn’t the goal—doing my best was. And some days, my best was just eating what I could keep down, and that was enough.

Aha Moments That Changed Everything

My biggest "aha" moment came when I stopped trying to do everything perfectly. I realized that my body needed grace, not punishment. I stopped focusing on everything I was doing "wrong" and started to focus on the small wins—like keeping my post-meal numbers in range, or finding a meal plan that didn’t make me feel deprived. I learned that this wasn’t about being perfect, but about progress.

Foods, Routines, and Small Wins

• Foods that Worked for Me: I learned to adapt the foods I already loved. Instead of completely overhauling my diet, I focused on adding more of what I needed. If I wanted pasta, I’d add more vegetables and a good source of protein to balance it out. Greek yogurt with nuts and berries, hard-boiled eggs, veggies with hummus, and whole grain crackers were also lifesavers. They were simple, and they worked with my blood sugar.

• Meal Routine: My day started with a protein-rich breakfast—usually scrambled eggs or Greek yogurt. I made sure to eat something every 2-3 hours, which kept my blood sugar more stable. Dinner was always paired with a lot of vegetables and a small amount of carbs. I tried to take recipes I already enjoyed and modify them slightly to meet my nutritional needs—adding extra greens or swapping out refined carbs for whole grains.

• Mindset Practices: I practiced giving myself credit for the small wins. It’s easy to focus on the negative, but I made it a habit to write down one thing I did well each day. It helped me stay positive and motivated.

Finding Hope and Empowerment with Gestational Diabetes

The experience of managing gestational diabetes was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it also gave me a strength I didn’t know I had. It showed me that I was capable of so much more than I realized. I finished my degree, had a healthy baby, and came out of it with a passion for helping other women navigate this challenging journey. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, but there is a way forward.

Progress isn’t linear, and it’s okay to have bad days. The key is to keep going, to keep learning what works for you and your body. There is hope, and there is support available.

Don't Manage Your Gestational Diabetes Alone

If you’re struggling with gestational diabetes and don’t know where to start, I’m here to help. I’ve been through the exhaustion, the confusion, and the guilt. I’ve also done the research, earned my degree, and helped countless women manage their gestational diabetes so they can have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Reach out, share your story, or let’s work together to create a plan that fits your life. You don’t have to do this alone—we can navigate it together.