Gestational diabetes diagnosed at 36 weeks - so worried

[worried88]

My 36 week scan detected that my amniotic fluid levels are higher than normal (the deepest pool was 10.6cm, meaning I have mild polyhydramnios) and the baby's head and abdomen were both measuring around the 97th centile. This was quite a shock as I had a wellbeing scan at the Fetal Medicine Centre at 33 weeks, at which point everything was looking fine - so it seems to have come on quite suddenly.

Apparently both issues can be caused by gestational diabetes, so I was given a finger prick test by the hospital to carry out four times a day. I've now had three readings over the threshold, which means I will be diagnosed with GD.

When I did the usual wee tests at the midwife appointments, my 28 week test showed a trace of glucose but it was clear again at 32 weeks. My 34 week appointment was cancelled due to coronavirus so I wasn't able to do a test.

I'm really shocked to have been diagnosed and am so worried about what it could mean for the baby and their health. Will the baby be unwell or in danger? I'm also worried about the implications for the birth itself.

If anyone has any experience with GD or any advice, I'd be really grateful if you could share.

I’m so worried that this is all my fault and I could have prevented it somehow through better diet or exercise. I just wasn’t expecting to have it, as I don’t fall into any of the high risk categories, there’s no diabetes in my family and everything has seemed fine until now. I’m just so scared for the baby.

Mine was high too I took a prick test home too. I think I had like two high readings I just found the foods that seemed to spike the reading so I was good for the whole week. No fizzy drinks don’t eat crap basically and it helped the readings. Protein was high in my urine and was picked up two weeks before baby was born. Turned out I had pre eclampsia and had to be induced.

I think it’s tougher for you because they would be monitoring this more closely if it were not for this virus. Fingers crossed. Watch what you eat and drink and push for some more testing

Thanks. Does anyone else have any experience of this and what it could mean for the baby?

@worried88 I remember you said you would be seeing your midwife- has that happened yet?

Hi, I am currently 36 weeks, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when I was about 27 weeks. Please try not to panic. It’s normally not as bad as it sounds. You should contact the hospital and tell them about your blood sugar readings. They will probably arrange an appointment with a diabetes nurse / midwife who will give you some dietary advice to try and keep your blood sugars in check. Cutting out crap like chocolate, biscuits etc but you also have to reduce carbohydrates and be careful about fruit. You can basically eat as much meat, cheese, eggs and veggies as you want if you are hungry! I have found a really good website which has tons of helpful information www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk

Some women are given medication to help them control blood sugar (insulin) but I don’t know whether they will do that for you given how far along you are I.e. I don’t know whether the meds would make much difference at this stage. I have been able to control mine with diet alone. I cannot wait to have some chocolate biscuits after this baby arrives lol!

You should get an appointment with an obstetrician who may suggest inducing you before your due date. This is because if a baby is really big it can make Labour much more difficult. But the doc should go though all the options with you.

Stay calm - Your hospital should look after you x

Oh and please don’t beat yourself up at having caused this. It’s hormonal and not your fault. Some women are just unlucky enough to get it. I cried when I was diagnosed as I didn’t want to do anything to hurt baby, but was reassured I hadn’t done anything wrong xx

My baby was fine. I was on four infections a day, and felt so much better once I had the medicine - I was diagnosed at about 31 weeks. Induced at 38. Baby heavier than DC1 at 7lbs 2. No problems, follow up check showed the gestational diabetes had gone. Baby and I discharged 24hours after birth

I had very badly controlled fasting sugar from GD (owing to other conditions meaning I could barely move or sleep for more than 90 minutes) and they were still trying to bring my blood sugar down from 200 mg/dL the night before my section. I was told that the main thing is to reach a certain level at the birth so that the baby is able to regulate its own blood glucose once it’s cut off from your blood supply. I got below that level and the baby was fine and hasn’t had any further problems.

Thanks so much. I feel absolutely fine and normal in myself - I wouldn't know that I had GD if I hadn't done the finger prick testing.

@MonaLisaDoesntSmile Not yet, but I'm seeing her tomorrow, which is good timing.

From what I've read so far, I don't know whether a natural birth will be possible with GD, as I understand they sometimes like to get the baby out earlier. If that is the case, I'm not sure whether an induction or c-section is the best way to go (or whether I'll even be given a choice).

You can choose a section any time you like without any problems.
A friend of mine planned to ask for an elective section if her risk of emergency section went above 50%. I always found that quite sensible. There are online calculators based on your age and GD etc.
I had my section because I had vasa previa and placenta previa, probably I wouldn’t have needed one for the GD alone.

You can choose a section any time you like without any problems.

Thanks @GirlCalledJames - that's good to know. I would rather have a vaginal birth but am worried about being induced and having to have an emergency c-section if the baby is on the large side. I guess the consultant will make the right call after monitoring the baby's size?

I don't know how GD is managed in the UK, so will leave to others to advise, but I wanted to say that it's not your fault, and you couldn't have done anything to avoid it - at least, that's what my gynaecologist said when I asked him the same question in my last pregnancy. Apparently in some women pregnancy causes your pancreas to work differently and not produce enough insulin. It goes away after pregnancy, though you are more likely to have it in subsequent pregnancies, and apparently have a slightly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You might have a bigger baby than otherwise, though my youngest was 3.4 kilos in the end, despite all their predictions. Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy, I hope everything goes smoothly!

I was diagnosed at 29 weeks with no risk factors. Echo previous poster- the gestational diabetes website and Facebook group are great- the diet advice is invaluable.

I was on insulin for fasting levels and diet controlled. I did very well but it did affect my placenta and my baby stopped growing at 37 weeks. She was delivered by c section (transverse lie-nothing to do with GD) and passed her glucose tests. Even though she was only 4lb 5oz we were out in 2 days and she is doing really well.

I know it’s not nice but you will get extra monitoring and great care- they take no chances. And absolutely nothing you have done, or could have done, to prevent it.

Thanks. How much extra monitoring and scans can I expect between now and the birth? I had my 36 week scan last week and have another one today with a consultant to double check the baby's measurements and everything else. I just wish the baby could arrive now so I know they're ok - I'm worried that the longer they're inside, the more danger they're in from all the extra glucose.