Gestational diabetes in more than one pregnancy

[quesadillas]

Hi,

I've recently found out I'm pregnant for the second time - 2 year old DS already. I had GD in my first pregnancy, which was discovered at about 28 weeks. I just wanted to pick the brains of any of you who have had GD and then went on to get pregnant again. Did you have it again or did you manage to avoid? Were you tested earlier? Were you given any instructions or guidance very early on?

I'm seeing a GP as soon as I can - appointments are difficult to get! - but just wondering what others did or were told. My GD was completely diet controlled last time. I was given no instructions about anything I could do between pregnancies to lessen it recurring as I'm a pretty healthy weight and eat well most of the time. I'm certainly not looking forward to a sugar-free diet!

Thanks.

I have have been diagnosed with gd again in my second pregnancy.

I had and earlier Gtt at 24 weeks which came back absolutely fine but my consultant insisted in testing again at 28 just to be sure and actually that came back positive for gd. So I would say if you are tested early (as you most likely will be) it may be worth insisting on a follow up later on in the pregnancy.

When I met my diabetes consultant she mentioned that I should have been on a higher dose of folic acid from the beginning, but that was never mentioned to me early on, I don't think my midwife knew about it. I have not heard this from anyone else either but I might be worth mentioning to your midwife when you see her.

I'm also a healthy weight with a healthy diet so I don't really know what else I could have done, I think it's just one of those things, you either have it or you don't. Sorry if that is not that helpful.

Thanks for replying, that's the kind of thing I was after. I'd not heard about the folic acid, so I'll ask about that at my first appointment. I've been taking a regular dose for a couple of months.

Looking forward to potentially having more than one GTT!!!!!

I had GD in both pregnancies. GTT at 26 weeks in first pregnancy was borderline but I ended up on metformin from 32 weeks.
Second time round I was referred to the diabetic clinic before my booking appointment and was monitoring blood sugars from 9 weeks.
I was put on metformin after 3 weeks as levels were slightly raised and my consultant predicted I would need insulin eventually. (On the plus side I didn't have a GTT). I did prove my consultant wrong though and stayed on metformin til DD2 arrived at 38 weeks.
All in all it was easier second time round but it did feel like I was testing my blood sugars for a very long time.

I had it in my 3rd and 4th pregnancies. I was on metformin and insulin with both but it was harder to control the second time and I ended up on higher doses of medication too. It was diagnosed at 28 weeks first time then 19 weeks the second.

I had it in both (and from much earlier in second). But my dm only had it in her first but not her second pregnancy so there is hope.

I had gd in my last pregnancy started at 16 weeks. I am now 10 weeks pregnant sand have a gtt booked in at 18 weeks. Fingers crossed it doesn't come back.

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully I won't get it again, but preparing to have to stab myself daily very early!

Hello, i had gd in all 5 of my pg's (from 20 yo to 40) well actually i was diagnosed as a type two by my 3rd pg at 36 and am now permanently on metformin and insulin. Its really important that you get put on a higher dose of folic acid as early as possible ( or it was with me anyway) and that you have a GTT.

It is likely that you will get it again ( fingers crossed you dont - if you are a healthy weight the chances are better for you) You and lo will need a close eye kept on you - your gp should refer you to the hospital so you are under consultant care where you can be safely taken care of. Congratulations btw!

I was borderline in both pregnancies(I failed because I was exactly on the cut off of "normal" reading). Mine is controlled by diet (but I find the diet miserable). I was advised to follow healthy diet/exercise regularly/keep stress to a minimum and keep my weight at a healthy bmi(even outside of pregnancy). I have a family history and I am being treated for gd in both pregnancies (once you have it once you are treated for gd for each subsequent pregnancy afterwards from early on in the pregnancy until you have the gtt at 28 weeks). It gets harder to control gd as the pregnancy progresses because your hormones can affect your blood sugars in later pregnancy.

Hi I had it in my second pregnancy but not in my 3rd or 4th pregnancy. When I got pregnant with my 3rd I was told I would more than likely get it. I started having gtt's at 16 weeks and about every 6 weeks after that. I didn't get it though. I asked the consultant if there was anything I could do to stop it and he said no. I asked if should cut sugar/carbs and he said there was no point and to just eat a healthy diet but not to worry too much. I'm a normal weight and it was just one of those weird things.
My second child (the gd pregnancy) was 7lb 13 and the third one (none gd) was 10lb 8! I think I'm just a freak of nature!!

Just popping on to say that there is a GDM support thread here if you fancy popping over and chatting at any time