Published in News
In honor of International Women’s Day, our Communications Officer Ekow Tachie-Mensah sat down with Sian Graham, a researcher in the Diabetes across the Lifecourse: Northern Australia Partnership, to discuss her personal experience with diabetes during pregnancy.
Ekow: Sian Graham, it has been great reading about your team’s work especially in addressing diabetes during pregnancy. Can you tell us about your own experience with diabetes during pregnancy?
Sian: I fell pregnant with my first daughter in 2002 while living in a remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia. Due to limited access to healthcare, I moved to Darwin to receive better support. During that pregnancy, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM), which was controlled through diet. I had two more healthy pregnancies in 2005 and 2006, both cleared for diabetes through the oral glucose tolerance test. However, I was later diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2014. In 2018, I found out I was pregnant again, this time with type 2 diabetes. I felt overwhelmed with the information and process, as diabetes became my second job.
Ekow: That must have been a stressful period. What do you think were the biggest challenges you faced during your pregnancy because of the diabetes?
Sian: The most significant challenge I would say was managing my diabetes when I was pregnant. I had to constantly monitor my blood sugar levels and learn how to administer and adjust insulin. It was hard for me, considering the potential negative outcomes if I failed to manage my diabetes properly. As a mother, it was my responsibility to take control of my diabetes and ensure that I grew a healthy baby who would be strong. Though it was challenging, I knew that I had to take care of myself and my baby, and so I did my best to manage my diabetes during my pregnancy.
Ekow: It’s so good to know you were doing your best to manage the diabetes. How did the healthcare system support you during your pregnancy?
Sian: The first trimester of my pregnancy was the toughest stage for me as I was constantly worried about my baby’s health and safety. I felt alone and would have liked more support from clinicians. It felt like I was just given insulin and told to manage my diabetes without anyone asking how I was doing. Fortunately, by the 20-week mark, I received a flood of support. I was lucky that because of my research work, I had already established relationships with Diabetes Educators and Endocrinologists who made it comfortable for me to ask questions, express my concerns and receive guidance. The support and guidance from my diabetes team were invaluable, without them I wouldn’t have had a healthy baby.
Ekow: Indeed, we all need that support system during various phases in life. Aside the healthcare system support, how did the Diabetes across the Lifecourse program you participated in help you manage your diabetes during pregnancy?
Sian: The Diabetes across the Lifecourse program helped me learn about the importance of managing diabetes during pregnancy. It emphasized the need for health checks and working with your health team to keep diabetes under control. I believe it is important that you have the right support to help you navigate the health systems, for example having access to more Aboriginal Health Practitioners, Aboriginal Diabetes Educators and Aboriginal Liaison Officer.
Ekow: From your personal experience, what advice would you give to other women with diabetes during pregnancy?
Sian: Managing diabetes during pregnancy is tough. My advice to others would be to take it one day at a time, stay positive and seek support from your Diabetes Educators. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how small or silly they may seem. Remember, you’ll have good days and bad days, so be patient with yourself and stay committed to managing your diabetes.
Ekow: We definitely have good and bad days and I couldn’t agree more. So what would you like to see change in the healthcare system to better support women with diabetes during pregnancy?
Sian: As someone who has personally experienced diabetes during pregnancy and works in the space, I believe the healthcare system needs to improve in several areas. We need more resources and support for people who speak languages other than English, as well as for Indigenous communities. Stigma surrounding diabetes needs to be addressed through community conversations and health promotion. Also, building relationships between clinicians and patients is essential for providing the best possible care.
Ekow: Thank you so much Sian for making time to share your journey with us.
Sian: It was my pleasure.