Gestational diabetes - should I feel this awful? So stressed out

[Moomin8]

I'm 31 weeks and was diagnosed gestational diabetic a few weeks ago but I've felt unwell for most of the pregnancy. I've also been told now that I can't drive. I'm on insulin.

The problem is I feel so ill that even having a short walk to the shops is making me feel like I'm going to collapse. I'm struggling to do the school run. But sitting in the house is making me feel depressed. Before this I was fit and healthy went to the gym several times a week etc. I'm not overweight. Luckily the baby seems to be ok, but obviously I worry about the impact of this on her too as she has been growing well above the 90th centile.

I'm not sure if it's normal to feel this bad. My mum (who is retired) is getting angry if I ask her to take me anywhere in the car and says it's not her problem. My partner tries to do as much for me as he can but he's got a very full on job and is under a lot of pressure to hit targets etc. So he often is not home til 8pm.

At least it's only for another 6 weeks max as I've been told I'll be induced and won't be allowed to go to term.

Hold tight Moomin. Before you know it, the weeks will have gone by and you will have your beautiful baby in your arms. Can you try small strolls around the block a couple of times a day, just to get out? (I don't have GD, but I also struggle to do as much as I'd like. I most certainly waddle and can manage short stints of slow waddling each day). Even if it's just half way to the shops and back...

I don't mean to sound awful, but your mum doesn't sound very supportive. At least when the shoe is on the other foot, you will I'm sure, extend someone the help and support they need.

Such a shame you can't drive, but at least you can shop and order things online. Do you have a bus network around you? Otherwise, you could try things at home that you enjoy - a mobile masseuse to give you a pampering session? Planning for your first Christmas with baby? Pre-preparing meals for when the baby arrives?

Does your feeling unwell coincide with high blood sugars? You should be feeling better when your levels are in control. I think. I have type 1 and feel fine when I'm in range, lousy when out of it too much.

Have you told your mw that you feel unwell when you go for a short walk? Detail your symptoms to them as it could be that you are not on the right insulin dose.

As for transportation - see how much it costs to set up a weekly account with a local taxi firm to a few key places. Getting out of the house even if if it’s just to have a coffee with a mum to be group will help.

I had GD in both my pregnancies but it never made me feel unwell.

Please make sure you discuss this at your next diabetes clinic, so they can be sure the insulin you're on is controlling your sugars properly.

Also do make sure that these aren't symptoms of something else. I was quite anaemic in my last pregnancy, and had periods of being lightheaded and breathless.

I echo what others have said, definitely buy in help wherever you can. There's no need to go to the shops these days anyway. Can you afford a mother's help or nanny to help with your other child? Can you afford a taxi? I'm sorry you've not got the support you need around you.

My fasting readings are often higher than they should be but I've just started insulin and the nurse said give it a bit more time to see if that helps. I'm afraid the placenta might fail or something. It's very worrying. This is my fourth baby - I didn't have any of this with the others. I suppose it's because I'm older this time. I'm sure it will all be worth it when the baby is born but I sit at home worrying about the impact on the baby. I do really try to go out, even if just for a walk but within about 10 minutes I feel as though I'm going to pass out. Even on a day where I woke up feeling better.

It might also be worth you finding something to occupy yourself (sedentary!!) whilst resting so you don't have the headspace to worry as that won't help how you feel. I really appreciate how much worse it is when you're used to being fit and active, and you aren't able to exert yourself in the slightest.

You can drive, your blood sugar just needs to be above 5 before setting off, and retested every 2 hours. Have a look on the dvla website. The exception is if you've had hypoglycemia to the point of needing external assistance or are unaware of hypoglycemia.
It doesn't make you feel awful, but the low sugar diet can be a bit of a shock to the system and make you feel unwell for a couple of weeks. You could also ask your midwife to check iron levels and BP etc.

On a practical level, I would check if you have any community transport organisations near you like dial a ride or volunteer driving type groups. Many of these types of organisations would happily provide transport at a cheap price (some may want evidence of your current illness) so if you can't afford taxis everywhere it's an alternative way to get to the shops etc :)

There’s a fantastic Facebook group OP - definitely join it x

You’ll prob feel a bit better once you have your sugars and diet under control - it’s all v stressful but hopefully your GD team will monitor you closely. Also, you prob already know they will want to induce you early so try not to dwell on it too much, it’s only temporary and focus on getting ready for little one. He/she will be here soon 🙂

Thanks for replies. Yeah the diabetes nurse told me not to drive for now. There is a lot of conflicting stuff I do have low BP - last testing was 105/55 but they said that was ok.

I'd get your iron levels checked just incase. This is exactly how I feel my gtt came back negative but my iron is low and I'm anemic so now need iron tablets, I would ring and speak to midwife if you havnt an app with her soon incase something else is going on apart from GD x

I've just had my iron levels checked in recent blood test 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'll try & press the point home tomorrow at the appointment about how bad I'm feeling. Before I got pregnant I could do spin classes.

I don't have gestational diabetes but my best friend (who is pregnant at the moment) does. She is watching her diet really closely which seems like a pain but necessary. However she's not said anything about feeling awful like you do, and she is working in a busy job. I'm not saying this to criticise/worry you, and everyone is different. However it sounds like GD doesnt have to make you feel awful so I would go back to midwife /nurse /consultant if you don't start to feel a bit better. Don't suffer through it if it's not normal. Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

Thanks @Keha I will mention it tomorrow.

I would also ask for thyroid bloods to be done (TSH, T4). What you described is exactly how I felt when my thyroid was failing (feeling like I run a marathon after just walking up to a local shop). And it’s quite a common issue in pregnancy, baby takes some of your hormones and you may not have enough for yourself.

Ah thanks @Worriedmum97 I didn't think of that.

Can you ask if you qualify for a sensor for now? That way you know if you need more insulin or need to eat something. It concerns me that you feel unwell when you walk, it could be a sign of a low. Do you test when you're feeling bad?

I had my appointment and the doctor said that it could be my sugars dropping but I've had a blood test to see if it's anything else. I've got a baby measuring off the scale and polyhydramnios so its unsettling. 😬