Gestational Diabetes

[Dingdongthewitchisbread]

Has anyone had this before that can give me some advice please.

I’m 37 weeks pregnant and just had a call to say I’ve tested positive for gestational diabetes. I was told I have to go see a consultant on Wednesday and the diabetes clinic will call me probably early next week.

So, I’m now left to spend the weekend wondering what this actually means.

Am I likely to be induced early, can I give birth on the birth centre, can I have a water birth, what can I do to manage this?

I’ve called the midwife office to see if I can get some answers but I have to wait for a call back.

Hopefully someone has some experience they’re willing to share.

I was diagnosed at 28 weeks I think, and I had to check my blood sugars and eat a very low GI diet to keep them in check. I got extra scans to ensure the baby wasn’t really big. I was scheduled in for an induction at 40weeks, they wouldn’t let me go past that And they said they might bring it forward if anything changed. As it turned out I got admitted and induced at 39.5 wks following my last clinic appt as my blood pressure was a bit high.

The birth was all pretty normal, but I think that was because I’d manage to keep my blood sugars at the right level and the baby was measuring normal so there were no additional concerns.

You’re much closer to term obviously so I don’t know what that might mean for you - I also remember from on here when I was asking for info that the process in different health authorities could be quite different!

If I was you, I would try and get everything you need to do at home before your appt on Weds, just in case. Good luck!

I had a growth scan two days ago and they said everything was fine with the size of the baby, just slightly above average so I’m hoping that means they won’t be inducing me early. We move house in just over a week, I want to cry!!

Oh no, house move too! In that case, I’d definitely work on the basis that they could keep you in after your consultant meeting and get everything you need to do done. But then I’m a control freak/planner 🤣.

I’d also continue trying to get a hold of your midwife - in my area there were particular ones with GD experience who knew more about the specific processes and procedures for a GD pregnancy, so they would be a great person for you to have a chat with, if there is similar in your area.

But it’s good news the growth scan was normal - both my GD babies were 7lb-ders at term so definitely not ginormous!

Hello, it's not fair to leave you to worry about it over the weekend. Please try not to worry though as once you've got your head around it you will feel a lot better.

Firstly, I think they are very unlikely to induce you before 40 weeks unless the baby is either too big or too small and it sounds like your baby is measuring just fine.

In terms of diet, you need to have eat high protein/fat foods and limit carbs. For example, plain greek yogurt with a handful of berries (a low star fruit), eggs, cheese, high meat content sausages, lots of veg (limiting the sweeter ones like carrot and peas though), nuts, meat, full fat diary, seeded bread etc...

I think you should make these changes as soon as you can. Babies born to a mother with GD can struggle to regulate their own blood sugar levels when born so by getting your levels under control you really help. My DS was kept in for 24 hours after birth (standard policy at my hospital) but he passed all his sugars and everything was fine.

They will give you a blood monitor and you will need to check as often as they tell, which is usually first thing in the morning and then an hour after breakfast lunch and dinner. If your numbers are within limit just by changing the foods you eat then they won't put you on medication.

The gestationaldiabetes.co.uk site and their facebook group is full of really useful information, including recipe ideas. Please feel free to PM me if you want to talk about it

low sugar fruit that should say sorry!

Thanks ladies. Midwife never called back so I’m in limbo until Monday I guess. But @Teakind that website is so useful and has actually reassured me loads, I’ve spent hours reading it. To join the social media pages next I think.