Diabetes in pregnancy women aged 45 years and Fighting Stigma 

By Alain Kabinda

In the quiet farming community of Mulalika in east part of Chongwe District in Zambia, where dusty roads stretch between scattered villages and the nearest health facility can be several kilometers away, pregnancy is often seen as a blessing shared by the whole community. But for one woman, that blessing became a painful journey marked by illness, fear, and stigma.

Magritte (not Her real name) at 44 never expected to become pregnant again. Speaking to Daily News in an interview in Chongwe in the east part of Zambia, Magritte shares her experience, 

Her older children were already grown, some working in town and others raising families of their own. When she began feeling constantly tired and dizzy, she thought it was simply age catching up with her. But after missing her monthly cycle and making the long trip to the local clinic, she received two pieces of news that changed her life—she was pregnant, and she had diabetes.

“I was shocked,” Magritte said, seated outside her modest home, surrounded by maize fields ready for harvest. “At my age, I thought those days were over. Then the nurse told me my sugar was high and that the pregnancy would need close monitoring. I was afraid for myself and the baby.”

For women in many rural parts of Zambia, healthcare is often difficult to access. Clinics may be understaffed, transport to district hospitals is expensive, and information about conditions such as gestational diabetes is limited.

Magritte said she had never heard of diabetes during pregnancy before her diagnosis.

“In the village, people know about pregnancy and childbirth, but not many understand these diseases. When they heard I had diabetes, some said I had been bewitched. Others said I was too old and that my body could no longer carry a child properly.”

As her pregnancy progressed, Magritte had to walk long distances to attend antenatal check-ups. The nurses advised her to reduce sugary foods, eat balanced meals, and monitor her condition closely. But in a rural setting where meals depend largely on what is harvested or affordable, following a strict diet was not always easy.

“There were days when I just ate nshima and vegetables because that is what we had. The nurse said I needed special food, but I could not always manage,” she said.

What made her experience more painful was the social judgment from neighbors.

Some questioned why she was pregnant at her age. Others whispered that her illness was punishment for having a child so late in life.

“In the beginning, I stopped going to church because people kept asking why I was pregnant again. Some laughed and said I should be preparing to care for grandchildren, not babies,” Magritte recalls.

A midwife who attended to her regularly encouraged her not to lose hope. She explained that diabetes in pregnancy can be managed with proper care and reassured Agnes that many women deliver safely even in high-risk pregnancies.

And months later, after a difficult labour at the district hospital, Magritte gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

Holding the child now, she says the experience changed how she sees both health and community.

“I learned that sickness during pregnancy is not shameful. It can happen to anyone. What hurt me most was how people judged me before understanding what I was going through.”

Health workers in rural of Mulalika say stories like Magritte’s are becoming more common as more women delay childbirth or have pregnancies later in life. Yet awareness around gestational diabetes remains low, especially in remote communities where myths and traditional beliefs often shape public attitudes.

Without proper information, many women delay seeking care, fearing ridicule or misunderstanding. This can place both mother and baby at serious risk.

For Magritte, her daughter’s birth brought relief—but also a new purpose. She now speaks openly to other women in her village about the importance of antenatal care and regular check-ups, especially for older mothers.

“When women hide because of shame, they put themselves in danger,” she says. “It is better to go to the clinic early and know the truth. People will always talk, but your life and your child are more important.”

In rural like in Mulalika area, where access to healthcare remains uneven and cultural expectations still shape women’s choices, stories like Magritte’s reveal a hidden struggle.

For many older pregnant women living with diabetes, the battle is not just against a medical condition—it is also against silence, stigma, and the weight of community judgment.

Ms. Susan Mwale a midwife at a rural health facility in Chongwe District said many cases of diabetes in pregnancy are only detected late due to delayed antenatal attendance.

“Most women come for antenatal care when the pregnancy is already advanced, which makes it harder to manage conditions like diabetes effectively. Early booking is very important so that we can monitor both the mother and the baby from the beginning,” Ms. Mwale stated.

She added that stigma continues to discourage some women, especially older expectant mothers, from seeking timely care.

“Some women fear being judged because of their age or condition, but diabetes in pregnancy is a medical issue, not something to be ashamed of. With proper care, many women deliver safely.”

And Health workers in rural Zambia say stories like Magritte and Susan are becoming more common as more women delay childbirth or have pregnancies later in life. Yet awareness around gestational diabetes remains low, especially in remote communities where myths and traditional beliefs often shape public attitudes.

Without proper information, many women delay seeking care, fearing ridicule or misunderstanding. This can place both mother and baby at serious risk.

Moses Phiri clinical officer also added that gestational diabetes can be managed successfully if detected early and properly monitored.

“With regular check-ups, proper nutrition, and adherence to treatment, most women go on to have healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries,” Mr. Phiri said. “The main challenge we face is late diagnosis and limited awareness, particularly in rural communities where health information is still low.”

He also explained that gestational diabetes can be managed successfully with proper support.

“With good monitoring, proper nutrition, and adherence to treatment, most women go on to deliver healthy babies. The key challenge is awareness and consistent follow-up, particularly in rural settings.”

He warned that untreated diabetes in pregnancy can lead to complications such as high birth weight, difficult labour, and increased risk for both mother and child.

A public health specialist Dr. Given Lungu also emphasized the need for community education.

“We need to strengthen health education at community level so that people understand that pregnancy at an older age is not automatically dangerous, and that diabetes can affect any pregnant woman. Reducing stigma is part of improving health outcomes.” Dr. Lungu said.

He added that involving community leaders and safe motherhood programs is essential to changing attitudes.

“We must normalize antenatal care for all women, regardless of age, and encourage families to support rather than judge expectant mothers.”

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