Gestational Diabetes in subsequent pregnancies

[stroan]

Hi,

I had GD late in pregnancy with my DD. Fully diet controlled and really didn’t cause any major issues, was already consultant led. However, DD was over 10lbs and I put on a lot of weight.

I was told at a clinic that in any future pregnancy, I’d automatically be treated for GD again. I’m now a few weeks pregnant and desperate to keep on top of it this time. Last time, I couldn’t eat anything but white carbs in the first two months and really piled on the weight. I know that won’t help if I genuinely have GD again so I think I should start testing my bloods now.

I doubt i’ll have a booking in appointment for at least 5 weeks. Should I go to the GP or call the midwife team for advice? I’m not sure exactly what they do to treat GD ins subsequent pregnancies.

Has anyone been in this situation? Any advice?

I had GD and found the Gestational Diabetes UK website and Facebook group invaluable. There will be advice on there and other women going through similar.

You should let your GP know straight away the advice I was given was to actually let the GP know before I started trying for a second so they can monitor from the beginning x

Congratulations. I had diet controlled GD in my first pregnancy and was tested again in my subsequent pregnancy but didn't have it second time round.
I wasn't tested any earlier or anything like that x

Thank you.

I think I did most damage in the first four months last time - I barely ate anything that wasn’t a white carb and the doctor told me just to eat what my body told me too. Turns out my body isn’t the best judge! I’m keen to avoid the same situation this time.

I called the doctors this morning and having a booking in appt next week. I couldn’t get a doctors appointment any sooner anyway and they said the midwife could sort it all out.

Just to add, nothing you are eating will cause you to develop GD, it's a hormonal complication of pregnancy.

If I was you I'd assume you do have it and follow a low carb, high fat and high protein pairing diet from the start!

furryleopard is right - you didn't give yourself GD last time, it doesn't work that way. It is likely that you'll get it again, so treat yourself as if you've already got it. Eat a sensible low carb high fat diet and you'll b e ahead of the game.

@furryleopard and @birdie6 thank you so much for your reassurance. It has made me feel so much better, thank you.

When I was diagnosed in my first pregnancy, I had to attend a group session at a clinic with other pregnant women with GD. The nurse running it made us all state why we were there and then corrected us by saying “no, you are all here because you have overeaten the wrong things and put your babies at risk”.

It was horrific and I never quite forgave myself, especially with a 10lb plus baby who suffered shoulder dystocia at birth.

I had GD in my 4th pregnancy and was tested for it again in my following pregnancy but was quite surprised I didn't have it despite being told I was at a heightened risk of having it again

It is absolutely, in no way, at all your fault. If you got diagnosed with GD and then deliberately are everything that you shouldn't and had complications, then it still wouldn't be completely your fault. GD is not caused by white carbs. I only are white carbs and cheeseburgers and seven up and I didn't get GD.

Sorry to go on and on, but I really want to hammer home the point that IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT.

“no, you are all here because you have overeaten the wrong things and put your babies at risk”.

That's absolutely fucking horrendous and completely factually untrue.

GD is caused by the way the placenta processes insulin. There are plenty of size ten people who have super healthy diets who are diagnosed with GD. I am so sorry you went through that. It is catalytically NOT your fault.