Diabetes

[mum2bemay22]

Just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 30w3d and I’m only 24. Feeling a bit crap about myself right now as feel like I’ve let my body and baby down. Anyone got any advice that’s been through this or going through it? Did it affect baby in any way? I’ve read on NHS website what can happen and it frightens the life out of me that it can cause stillborn babies (although rare it is still a risk). Help 😕!

I had it with two of three pregnancies- would you believe my third had low blood sugars when born and I was only diet controlled.

If you follow diet advice and take meds if your body's insulin production is still hampered by pregnancy hormones then you've nothing to worry about. Miscarriage happens for many reasons and I imagine what you read was what can potentially happen if it is not diagnosed and managed.

Remember GD is pregnancy hormones blocking insulin production and is not because you had too much sugar.

However as you have it you can try to control it by lowering sugar levels which cannot be regulated by insulin production.

Be careful of getting diet tips online for this as your body will react differently to others so food choices are specific to you. Also I've seen some advise on here to just cut out carbs to beat the readings, problem is that will certainly affect your baby's development of vital growth needs. You need to eat well and listen to your body not try to trick glucose readings.

Diet controlled means going for low sugar options so your low insulin production can cope but if it can't then the meds will do that for you.

The hardest part for me was having to eat so often and the restrictions of choice but the positives were less aches and pains, weighing less at 38 weeks then when I got pregnant and having lots more energy. I am honestly the healthiest I have ever been and in a twisted way I am glad I had this as my kids are eating better too and you need energy with the little ones. Good luck