For Mrs. Vanita Saxena, all hope of conceiving a second child seemed to be lost, after she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and underwent 2 miscarriages. Despite the desire to have another baby, she was afraid of the consequences of trying to conceive once again due to the effect that it might have on her physical and mental health. However, despite all odds, and with the support of her endocrinologist Dr. Maneesha Pandey and her gynaecologist Dr. Stuti Mishra, Mrs. Saxena was able to fulfill her dream of having another healthy and happy baby. This is the story of how one woman with diabetes, overcame insurmountable odds by believing in herself and in the treatment plan that was prescribed to her.
Being an insulin dependent diabetic with a history of two miscarriages, motherhood was nothing short of a miracle for Mrs. Saxena who had given up hope of going through a second pregnancy. Recounting the tough ordeal, she said “I had first conceived in 2015 and by the first trimester had developed gestational diabetes. I suffered a miscarriage by the fourth month and was devastated.”
Undeterred, she conceived again six months later, but this time she miscarried within eight weeks because of severe viral infection. “These two experiences had left me very weak and I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In the beginning, I was on pills and then was prescribed long acting insulin for the night,” said Mrs. Saxena, who was familiar with the condition as her husband Shantanu has been a patient of diabetes for over five years.
However, with a strict control on her diet, regular exercise, timely use of insulin, and a dash of optimism, Mrs. Saxena was given renewed hope in having another child.
Mrs. Saxena thanks her endocrinologist Dr Maneesha Pandey from Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai and her obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Stuti Mishra, from Aster Clinic, International City, who motivated and inspired her to overcome the fear of diabetes.
“Dr Pandey who was treating my husband encouraged me to go in for pregnancy and to give my best shot at being a mother again,” said Mrs. Saxena who was able to conceive for the third time in May, 2017.
“The first thing I did was banish all negative thoughts from my mind. With the help of my brother who is a nutritionist I drew up an elaborate diet chart and implemented it in my daily routine. I also began working out. The doctor put me on insulin injections with every meal to get better blood sugar control,” she added.
On January 11, 2018 she delivered a healthy baby through C-section and named him Vedansh.
Providing a word of optimism to other women in similar situations, Mrs. Saxena said: “I just want other diabetic women hopeful of being mothers, to quit fearing their condition. With a combination of diet, exercise and medicine it is possible for diabetic women to conceive and be mothers. Our family is complete and other mothers too can with the support and guidance of their doctors enjoy this beautiful gift.”
