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

I don't think a BMI of 34 will effect much extra monitoring. Mine is 33.5 and they said nowadays they don't think of weight as a risk unless it's over 35.

Birth centre is fine under 35 - in London anyway.

You may get an extra growth scan at 32 weeks as it can be harder to measure bump but that's a good thing as a late scan picks up any problems and most countries recommend then anyway.

They have never spoken my weight out loud in front of my partner. They have just mentioned a high BMI and offered a dietician if I wanted it.

Folic acid they told me no need but I took a couple of extra ones as thought it couldn't hurt!

With regards to diet, obviously healthy is best, but I thought there was no proven link between diet and GD bar being overweight being a factor. By that I mean, eating a low GI diet wouldn't necessarily protect you. Willing to hear different if that's the case!

MW said they wouldn't even weigh me again after booking in as they don't do that nowadays.

In short - a BMI of 34 is not really the end of the world. Stay as healthy as possible and you will be fine!

I had a BMI of 36 on booking in and have my GTT booked for 18th May which I'm quite glad about as there is a family history of diabetes on the maternal side, so it's best to get these things checked out so that they can be managed if needed. Better to know, I think! I trust in the NHS entirely.

Having said that, I've had no other health problems, a very straightforward and easy pregnancy thus far (touch wood), no protein or glucose in urine, no sickness and no blood pressure issues. My DH's sister however is very petite and had GD with both of her pregnancies. So, whilst weight is a good indicator, you can have a high BMI with no GD and a low/normal BMI and still have GD.

I will be 28 weeks when I have my GTT done. Don't let it worry you too much! The way I see it, if it is positive, they'll put me on a diet for a few months (not that I eat badly anyway) and I may well end up lighter at the end than I did at the start...win-win as far as I'm concerned!

With both of my kids I was overweight my very overweight midwife told me you will have diabetes for sure did gtt test both times best they ever had! My dad has diabetes so was testing at home and knew I was fine.

My BMI was 32 and weight was 95Kg at booking and am currently 39weeks and have put on 10Kg and have not got gestational diabetes (had the PGL test at 35 weeks and it was negative - I've just got a big baby!) I was annoyed that I was still overweight when we conceived but I have been careful not to eat for two as they say and am only eating sensibly like I was before conceived when I was trying to lose weight (but not dieting obviously)

I realise not an answer to the question asked, but I had gestational diabetes for both pregnancies, and was not overweight at all, for either of them. Didn't get over 10st at full term (weigh considerably more than that now, though, just before I may be accused of stealth-boast).

Just a thought - GD is not always to do with weight. You can be overweight and not develop it, but be on-target weight and still develop it. There are no hard and fast rules. A bit like cholesterol levels - you can be overweight and have low cholesterol (like me), yet slim and trim (like DP) and have high cholesterol.

Always a good idea to keep a good check on it, though, and there are measures you can take to stop it worsening. Your medical team will advise if you're at all worried at the possibility, and they will monitor you.

I was overweight for both pregnancies, and didn't get GD.

On the other hand, the very slim lady I know got it with both of her pregnancies. It is a risk factor, but not the only one.