Gestational diabetes. Now what?

[thisonebreath]

This is my third pregnancy. Not had GD before and both previous DC under 8lb.

Am now 41, so would have been induced at 40 weeks anyway, currently am 27 weeks. Have gained 3 stone but was 2 stone underweight before pregnancy. I have an appointment on Friday for blood monitoring kit. What usually happens now? What sort of questions should I ask? Am I likely to be induced even earlier?

And...have I caused this? I had 'disordered eating' hence being so underweight so have allowed myself to eat what I like to try and get to a healthy weight and now worried I've done this and should have stayed underweight.

Hi! I had my meeting for GD at the hospital this morning.

They'll offer some general guidance on low GI diet food to help control your sugars and they'll show you how to use the blood monitoring kit. I've been asked to monitor 6 times a day for the first week so they can see any patterns. I have an appointment with the obstetrician next Tuesday, I'll have an additional growth scan at the same time to see how baby is measuring. I'll be monitored pretty regularly for the rest of my pregnancy to make sure I'm okay and baby isn't growing massive!!

They won't let you go beyond 40+6 with GD, but if you're likely to be induced at 40 anyway that won't change. If you or the baby are struggling they may induce earlier (37/38 weeks) but you'll know in advance of that's the case.

Depending on how well you can control blood sugars with diet, will depend on whether you need Metformin or insulin. I was told most pregnant women just need monitoring and don't progress to needing insulin. But if you do, they'll let you know.

You'll have blood tests done 8 weeks post partum to check your sugar levels.

Also - no, you did not cause this.

I was told that all women have reduced insulin function from 20 weeks onward. The placenta triggers hormones which reduce insulin production to help the baby get more sugar. Sometimes those hormones are a bit overzealous and you get gestational diabetes. This can happen regardless of weight, lifestyle and age.

Thank you, that's reassuring.