I'm worried I may have Gestational Diabetes

[Imo87]

Im currently 22 +5 weeks pregnant. For a while I have had constant thirst which never goes away. I mentioned it to my GP a few months ago and he said I would need to have a blood test. He didn't inform me I needed to fast for the blood test so I was told that if the results were abnormal I would need to redo the blood test. They didn't tell me what type of blood test I was having but was told the result was normal. I have been putting the thirst down to pregnancy but now it has become much worse. I am drinking 4 litres of water a day and could carry on drinking water but am trying to stop myself. I have have also started to feel quite light headed. I mentioned this to my GP who said I had my bloods taken a while ago and it was normal but what I was drinking was not normal. Should I be concerned? I don't want to seem like I am being a worrier but I am a bit concerned and don't feel I am being taken seriously.

That is a lot of water to be drinking! Do you have a midwife appointment coming up at 24 weeks? I would ask the midwife about it, they may also be able to do blood tests or request a GTT.

I have my appointment next week. I spoke to the GP yesterday about it and he said it wasn't normal to be drinking that amount and left it at that. I will most definitely be mentioning it to my mw next week. I think I am going to try and push for the proper test as I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I'm not a medical professional, so I hope one will be along soon, but could you limit high GI food and drinks until you are properly assessed? If you Google 'low GI food' they are the ones which don't spike insulin as much, and could help avoid peaks and crashes in your sugar levels.

It is something I have been thinking about trying before I see the mw next week. I have ordered a blood glucose monitor so hoping I can keep an eye on my sugars that way to provide some reassurance.

I drank so much in the last trimester, 2+ litres at night and another 4+ during the day. I just couldn't stop. I was tested for GD twice and it came back fine both times. My midwife said that pregnancy can just make you thirsty!

There is a really good national health charity called Diabetes UK who runs a free helpline staffed by specialist nurses. Give them a call and they should be able to help.

I think my friend said she had gestational diabetes but it wasn’t picked up as she was tested in the morning and ok and then later not ok. She’s also a GP so just tested herself to keep an eye on it and managed it through her diet.

You need to be tested again properly.