Struggling with new diagnosis and knowing how to adapt

[Bumpsss]

Hi all, I hope this is the right place for this discussion (if not, please do nudge me to the right place, thank you!).

I've just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 33 weeks. I don't know the precise results but will be seeing the diabetic team shortly.

I'm finding it really hard to come to terms with the diagnosis. Also, I'm also lost with what I can do to adapt and minimise the effects. Knowing that many of you'll have lot of experience, I'd be really grateful for your advice and support.

I guess firstly, addressing my struggles to accept the diagnosis - it's just all came as shock. I do not tick any of the risk factors on the NHS website. I was offered the OGTT due to a recent urine test. Otherwise - I lead a rather healthy lifestyle and maintained so during pregnancy (I'm very active, at least 3 times a week, weekly 5K runs, with healthy diet which comprises mostly vegetables, white meat, fish and minimal carbs with high GL. I don't drink anything sweet either). I may occasionally indulge in a nice burger/grill (when out) but that's like once/a few months. I've completely cut that aspect out during my pregnancy.
So for the diagnosis to strike, I'm really shocked.

That side, moving onto lifestyle changes. I really don't know what else I can do. I managed the activity level up to around 20 weeks (before pelvic pain and other fun physical pregnancy symptoms hit), I still try to do as much as I physically can. Diet is still maintained.

Is there anything else I can do? One of my friends has type 1 diabetes and she's suggested that cutting carbs out of her life has really helped to maintain her BM. Should I be looking at this (because I can't think of any other changes I can do beside this)?

Thank you for your help everyone. I'm sorry for the long post. I'm trying to keep it objective, but I'm still very emotional about it all...I guess it's going to take some time to sink in.

You absolutely should not cut carbs from your diet when pregnant.

1st gestational diabetes is caused by hormone changes driven by your placenta. It has literally nothing to do with your diet or activity levels pre or during pregnancy. Recent research may even suggest that it's the male contribution that causes it.

2nd. The diet sounds similar to your current one. The idea is to keep your blood sugars stable and constant rather than spikey. So you need to ensure no fasting periods.

Different things spike women in different ways. You'll be given a blood sugar testing kit and usually have to test 4 times a day. When you first wake up and after every meal.

Unless your diet is carb based or you have a secret sugar habit I wouldn't change anything until you start monitoring and can clearly see what is effecting you badly and what you can tolerate.

Please also remember it's not type 1 or type 2. It's way more strictly managed and goes away as soon the placenta is delivered.

I cannot recommend this website enough. It was a godsend when I was diagnosed with dd2 (at 13 weeks!) www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/

@stackhead
Thank you so much for sharing and for your support - I really appreciate. The website is really helpful and I've just been immersing myself in it this evening. I'm still struggling to come to terms of the risks to the baby but I'm grateful this is caught now and I can still do something to help to minimise the possible harm to baby.

You must have worked so hard to tackle this with dd2. I hope your pregnancy journey went well in the end.

I'm sorry i didn't reply earlier to thank you. It's been a busy and also tough weekend.

@Bumpsss

I just want to pick up one point in your post about risks to the baby a little. The increased risk of anything happening is caused by unmanaged diabetes. If you get a handle on your sugar levels, be that with diet or medication then there's no more risk than an ordinary pregnancy.

I've had gestational diabetes in both my pregnancies, the 1st I was completely diet controlled. The 2nd I had to go on insulin very early as my fasting levels just couldn't sort themselves out. I ended up on a very high dose of insulin by the end but the important bit was that my sugars were stable and neither of my DDs have had any issues as a result.

They do need feeding immediately after birth so do spend some time when you get your head around the diagnoses how that will happen - as I find it's something that takes most women by surprise and the baby ends up been given formula automatically. If you want to breastfeed you need to prep a little.

Hope you're doing ok. Always remember that it's nothing you did, it's just something that happened to you. And properly managed you're at no higher risk then any other pregnancy.

@stackhead
That's really kind of you to share, thank you. I'm really glad for you that your DDs are doing all good!

I definitely would like to breastfeed - will make sure i discuss this with the relevant teams when the time comes.