gestational diabetes - what happened after birth?

[blueseashore]

I have diet controlled GD but coming to the end of my pregnancy now. I've been told they'll repeat the GTT six weeks post partum but till then I can eat "normally" (not go mad obviously, but I can have a chocolate bar and some pasta!!) as soon as the placenta is out. Although I am diet controlled now, my GTT results, done at 32 weeks, were really high (13.8 after 2 hours) and am v worried that I will fail the GTT at six weeks. Did anyone else have GD and if so what were your experiences post birth? Did your blood sugars return to normal soon after birth? TIA!

It is likely that the numbers will go back to normal within a couple of days of the birth,

BUT, and it's a big but... Your numbers were fairly high at 32 weeks. You have a very high risk of developing diabetes within the next 5 years (something you may not even be advised about!), I think it's between 25-50% depending on all your risk factors.

BUT, and again, it's a big but... You don't have to just sit back and wait for that to happen, Change your diet (reduce your carbohydrate intake they way you have during your pregnancy, permanently) and exercise (even a brisk walk 3or 4 times a week) a little more and that could prevent it ever happening.

I had gd in one preg 18 years ago (subsequent pregs were ok as I adapted my diet as soon as I was pregnant, now I'm a bit older, I low carb and check blood sugar every couple of months with my own monitor as a few years ago my fasting blood sugar had started to rise to the highest end of "normal".
It's really low/normal now!

I think it's fairly scandalous that women with GD are not fully informed about the risks of "carrying on as normal"... My sister recently had GD and was given the same rubbish advice I was 18 years ago "carry on as normal, your blood sugar is fine"(with a mention that she might be at a higher risk of diabetes in future).

I suggest you read up (google) info on GD and your future risks, as you are unlikely to get that info from your HCP .

Sorry, not meant to be scary, but helpful .

Hello OP

Please listen about the possibility of it coming back if you don't watch what you eat.
I had it too and of course it went instantly on giving birth.
Nobody warned me and 5 years later I was on the diabetes register as I didn't watch what I ate at all.
My dd is nearly 10 now and my recent tests have been good as I watch what I eat now. The gp told me I'd be borderline if checked for first time now.
I too don't want to scare but it is important that you listen to the warnings. I'm not saying never have the odd treat, but with me it was lots more than the odd treat. to admit, but if it helps others.
Apologies for those reading this again, I always post on these threads.
Good luck OP, you will be fine when baby arrives and diabetics get toast

It's awful Morethan, isn't it? If women were properly informed about the future risks, many would make small changes than could avoid it, or at least delay it by many years.
And even the people who chose not to make changes- well at least they would be aware that they were taking a risk (and that's their right of course).

Raw

My sentiments exactly. I have an awful sweet tooth, always have had. During pregnancy it was easy to keep to a strict diet for the health of my dd no problem at all. I got used to this and really would have carried it on if the possibility of it returning were explained to me.
Why aren't people told about this, it is so much easier to keep going when you know you have to.

Thanks for the replies - really helpful. My only risk factor is genetic (my mum has diabetes, despite being super slim & healthy and exercise fanatic) but I think that's probably the strongest risk factor you can have so def motivation to be more careful in the future.

It's just that I've been very restrictive to keep my numbers low with diet for the past few weeks, and though I do plan to reduce my carb intake permanently I would like to have the occasional plate of spaghetti or slice of toast in my diet... and the (treat size!) chocolate bar I have already packed in my hospital bag.

Unless the GD doesn't go away when you delivery our baby (but usually it does), you won't have to be as restrictive to make a real difference to your (normal) blood sugars... You want to be mid to low normal for fasting bloods (that's why I bought my own blood sugar meter, so I can test it for a few days every couple if months). Ideally as a non diabetic with no metabolic issues your fasting BS should be well under 5... Mine (a formerly pre diabetic with levels around 5.8) is typically about 3.8 unless my carb intake has been creeping up... It really makes a difference to me to have that meter.

The normal medical model is to do nothing with people in the "high/normal range (ie people who are already metabolically damaged and will almost certainly develop diabetes at some point in the future).

Have your pasta, potatoes etc if you want to but have a much smaller portion size than you used to! More veg, more good quality (natural) fats, plenty of protein and add in some activity to your day...