If you're overweight, have you got gestational diabetes?

[Hummingbird15]

Hi

I'm 7+6 at the moment and my BMI is 34. I have read a lot about additional issues that are likely/possible because of being overweight.

So I am just wondering, for others who are pregnant/have had other children when overweight, what problems did you have as a result and am trying to get an idea of likelihood of developing Gestational diabetes?

Thanks

[Augustwedding]

My bmi was 30.5 and mine came back negative.

[fattymcfatfat]

I had BMI of 30 and mine was negative

[MsMittens]

I am 40 wks now and unfortunately have a higher BMI than yours. No GD at all but they did do a full GTT test and then even though my results came back low asked me to do blood sugar monitoring for 2 weeks (again no high results). Obviously try and have a healthy diet throughout pregnancy and this will be less likely to bring about GD. Good luck and remember a high BMI is a risk factor but it doesn't necessarily mean you will develop complications etc but you will probably be more closely monitored (no bad thing!).

[MsMittens]

Also this is DC2 and have had no complications in either pregnancy, routine delivery of DC1 with gas and air (hoping for the same with DC2) despite being overweight.

[Hummingbird15]

Thanks for your responses so far - that's encouraging. As you are further along than me, can I also ask, have you been told to expect anything different/challenging for the birth itself? I've read that I'll have to be on a labour ward rather than a birth centre, but are there other joys to worry about at all??

[Number3cometome]

My BMI to start was fine (26) but is now 30 (have put on nearly 3 stone)

My GTT was negative, and actually the results were pretty blooming good!!

DC1 was 9lb (I put on 3st)
DC2 was 8lb 2oz (at 38 weeks!) and I put on nearly 5 stone.
This DC is currently measuring average at 29 weeks.

[tootsietoo]

I've got a BMI of about 23 or something (size 10 anyway) and I had gestational diabetes diagnosed with pg with DD2. Just make sure you don't forget to have a Glucose Tolerance Test as soon as you can. I didn't have one with DD1 and she was 10lb 1oz and is now overweight and I wonder whether I might have had GD when pg with her and whether this makes her pre-disposed to putting on weight.

[dementedpixie]

I was overweight/obese with both pregnancies. I had borderline gestational diabetes with dd which was controlled by diet (had to test blood sugars several times a day and avoid sugary foods). I didn't have it with ds.

[Hummingbird15]

Thanks, at what stage do they do the GT test? Do I need to ask for it, or will it just be done?

Also, just a silly question, but I never actually tell DH my weight.... is it likely at any midwife appointments or scans that it will just be openly discussed?!

[LosingNemo]

I've had two DCs and have very high BMI. Didn't get gestational diabetes with either. I did have a consultant for both pregnancies - but they did nothing more than the midwives did (weight, blood pressure, measure bump). In my first pregnancy I also saw the anaesthetist prior to the birth so that they could check that an epidural would be ok (actually this was good as it meant I got an epidural quicker because I'd done all the paper signing and stuff).
My advice? Just be sensible with your diet and try not to worry! X

[MsMittens]

OP - as I mentioned had an uncomplicated first delivery. This time round, slightly higher BMI and different hospital, I have been very vocal about my preferences for a natural birth in birth centre and met with the consultant mid wife and put together a detailed birth plan with the aim of being birth centre based with minmal medical intervention unless actually necessary. We have done a fair amount of natural birth prep including ante natal yoga and a yoga birth workshop. They wil tend to push you toward a labour ward as this will make it easier for them if they you need an epidural or have any complications which may arise. But the are a lot of people who start in birth centre and end up on ward anyway due to lack of progression or other issues. Consultant midwife was very supportive of my birth choices and practical so we have a great plan in place to deal with issues if they arise. Other things that may be likely are consultant led care, meeting with anesthestist, and more scans depending on the pathway adopted by your chosen hospital. My advice is to be as prepared as possible and be your own advocate. Also check whether you should be taking additional folic acid as this may be required due to higher BMI. HTH and good luck

[Hummingbird15]

Thanks MsMittens - I hadn't heard that about folic acid - how should I check that? I haven't been booked in with a midwife yet, so not sure who to ask....

Frustratingly, my sister is a midwife, so as soon as we tell people, I'll be able to ask her all my questions, but we're keen not to tell anyone until 12 weeks!

[MsMittens]

I would ask your GP and then give the hospital's ante natal unit a quick call and they might be able to help. I think you need a higher dose if BMI is above 30 (check out the details on baby centre - can't copy the link as on my phone). Frustratingly this isn't very well publisiced even though you need to take the higher dose in the first 13 wks.

[youlemming]

A BMI over 30 is one of the risk factors so your mid-wife should book you in for the test at 28 wks.
Mine was around 31 with DC1 and came back negative, I'm due to have it again with DC2 at the end of this week as I have other risk factors even though my BMI was down to 28 (it's in the family and I have PCOS).

As long as you can keep healthy and active including during the labour being bigger shouldn't automatically mean you will have a difficult birth, mine was 6 hrs start to finish and I was close to 17st at the time.

If you are worried and it's not something the mid-wife mentions when you do the booking app, bring it up and ask for it to be discussed again either at the 16 or 25 wk as they tend not to book it until then anyway.

[laurenlhthompson]

Hi Hummingbird

My BMI is 35 and they booked my GTT test and consultant appointment before I had my bloods at my 12 week scan. They should book it automatically when they notice your BMI.

[CanIGoToBedNow]

My BMI is over 40 and I've not had GD with either of my pregnancies.

First birth was slightly complicated as in my waters went but contractions did not start so had to be induced 2 days later.

This pregnancy has been straight forward and I'm hoping to have a straight forward natural birth..... I've a toddler and dogs that need to be walked twice a day so keeping active has been a great help!

Although I am the size of a bloody whale and I've got 6 weeks to go!

[IceLemonGin]

My BMI at booking in was over 40. I had my GTT last week and I do have GD. I have a family history of diabetes though, so two factors that made me high risk.

[scarednoob]

my friend who was overweight was given a GD test early as they were doing a study at the hospital. she had it, was diagnosed at about 10 weeks, strict diet, weighed less after giving birth than before getting pregnant. she didn't get it with her second.

as my BMI was 32 at booking in, i asked to have the test done early. the midwife, who was quite strict and had a strong jamaican accent, asked me why. i explained about my friend. she shook her head slowly.

"you are not your friend," she said.

can't argue with that! but i will still be nervous about the GTT in a few weeks' time.

[scarednoob]

ps: i mentioned the accent to try and recreate how firmly and sensibly she said it - she really made me listen to her!!

[rhnireland]

I had a very high BMI when I got pregnant and then proceeded to lose weight due to bad morning sickness and then careful eating. I do have gestational diabetes but it's mild and well controlled by diet.

I would say that eating Low GI helped with my morning sickness and has meant that I haven't gained any weight though the baby is growing perfectly (I'm 22 weeks so I'm sure I'll put it on soon!)

So I would suggest you try to eat low GI as much as you can now to reduce the risk of GD and then if like me you do that and still end up with it you'll find it's a lot easier to manage then if you have to make a huge change at once i.e. make one small change a week now is much easier then having to make 20 changes in one week.

[shitebag]

I had a BMI of 43 at my booking in appointment when I was 7+1

I had the GTT at around 16 weeks (in 2012 and I have a terrible memory) I think and it came back negative and my blood pressure was fine throughout the pregnancy too so please don't panic about what the books say.

If your weight is a big worry then use the baby as motivation to eat healthier and stay as active as you can. I weighed 1lb heavier when I was weighed before going to theatre (ELCS due to transverse baby and previous labour issues with DS) and was 1st lighter than pre-pregnancy and 2st lighter within 6 months :)

[Northernlurker]

Weight is one risk factor for GD but there are others - age, ethnicity, previous history and family medical history for example. Women with higher BMIs can still have healthy pregnancies and safe, active, no intervention deliveries. By the way - you don't have to have a GTT. You may want to and that's fine but like every test in pregnancy it is in fact optional.

[geekymommy]

I am overweight. I would rather post my credit card number here than my BMI or weight. I took the GTT last week (at almost 28 weeks), and I don't have gestational diabetes.

[Thatsmyboys]

My BMI was 30 on booking and would imagine is now much higher! 3rd baby and no GD in any pregnancy. HTH. Try and not drink too much fruit juice, binge on sugar and eat your greens. OBVS!

[MishMooshAndMogwai]

Mine was 30 at the beginning of pg, had the glucose tolerance test and came back all clear.

No problems as yet and apart from the huge moving bump and being a little more irritable and tired than normal not much in the way of symptoms either!