Potential gestational diabetes- feeling quite ashamed

[Elwynne]

I recently failed a glucose test by a few points, so had to have a much longer test today. I dont have the results yet but as I was walking back from the hospital I just felt so ashamed of myself for potentially developing GD and then it seemed all kinds of self hate started to kick in, which I haven't felt since I was a teenager (I'm 35 now ). By the end of my walk I had decided that I was a failure and all the medical people must just think I am a fat git who spends all day eating crap and does no exercise. Yes, I really went on an angst filled, horror head ride. I'm normally a positive person, so I am trying to be rational and turn this around in my head but I have to admit that I do have this teenage history (i think like a lot of women have experienced) of getting an unhealthy mindset about body image and starting to be controlling about eating and numbers. I dont want to go down that road...
So, please can you help cheer me up - did you and your baby do ok with gestational diabetes? What happened once it was diagnosed? Are you doing ok now? Know any good jokes?

It's not your fault, you cannot stop it happening. Thin healthy 'perfect' people get GD, it's not a sign that you're doing anything wrong so stop blaming yourself!

I got it when pregnant with DD 7 years ago. I adjusted my diet to low GI, added in exercise, test8 g my sugar levels 4 times a day.

I did end up on insulin but that's because my first thing in the morning levels were high, nothing to do with what I had eaten, just my bodies fasting glucose level.

I was induced at 37.5 weeks as DD was a bit big, induction was fine, took 24 hrs for contractions to start after pessary, but then a nice quick Labour with gas n air. DD was born at 6.30pm at 8lb 11oz and we went home at 8am the next morning.

If you have Gd you should be referred to diabetic nurse who will give you a testing kit and instructions on diet and exercise.

General message is reduce but don't cut out carbs, try for complex rather than simple carbs (seeded bread not white) and make sure you have plenty of protein and fat. Ideally pair carbs with protein/fat so apple slices with peanut butter, toast with egg.....

DD is perfect and I tested negative for diabetes 6 weeks after she was born because once the placenta is gone the GD is gone.

I had a friendly who was a slim size 10 and fit and she got GD so I really wouldn't best yourself up about it xx

OP, have a hug. Please try to take all the emotion out of this situation - you simply have a pregnancy related medical problem, which has thankfully been picked up early and can be monitored and managed. There is no stigma or shame attached to it, and you have no need to beat yourself up over it.
Just follow the advice from your obstetric team, eat healthy food for the rest of your pregnancy, and then see afterwards whether you need any longer term adjustments to your daily food intake.
But just do it for calm, logical health reasons, not out of self loathing or control issues. Food should be a pleasure as well as a necessity for refuelling, but it should never become a stick to beat yourself with.

I was diagnosed with GD with my second child. Like you, I went through all sorts of annoyance with myself, had I been eating the wrong things, too much, not enough exercise? It was just of those things which I was obviously predisposed to develop. I wasn't keen to take any medication, purely because I was already taking medication for something else, so i decided to treat it thought radically changing my diet. My consultant was happy with decision and I attended a weekly clinic to monitor my baby's growth as well as check through the daily records of the food I'd eaten as well as my blood sugar levels. I managed to keep my levels low and my DC was born at term weighing 9lbs 5oz and fit and healthy. My DC's sugar levels were monitored for a few hours afterward birth and all was fine. Just to say I would have taken the medication that was suggested if it was absolutely necessary. You will be monitored closely which is good and maybe even have an extra scan where you'll see your baby, which is a lovely treat 😊🌷🌷

OP, I am fat. I spent most of my pregnancy with my second child living off Danish pastires, monster munch and tango. I never went onto develop GD, despite being borderline and my baby being large (a symptom of GD).

The two people who I do know who went onto develop GD were both very healthy, think running marathons before falling pregnant.

I'm not advocating my lifestyle at all and I am very ashamed of how fat I got back then. But I wanted to show that it is not necessarily caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.

My mum had GD with her third (my youngest sibling) he was just born huge! I was borderline with my third, he was also pretty big. Please don't feel ashamed! I did a google and found this:
"What causes gestational diabetes?
Lots of changes happen to your body during pregnancy.

Along with the physical signs, the hormones you produce can make it hard for your body to use insulin properly. This puts you at an increased risk of insulin resistance, and some women can’t produce enough insulin to overcome it.

This makes it difficult to use glucose (sugar) properly for energy, so it stays in your blood and the sugar levels rise. This then leads to gestational diabetes."

When I was having my third they didn't want me to have a home birth because of my bloods, but I talked them into it by way of getting a glucose monitor. I had my home birth and all was well. They were shocked that he was nearly 10 lbs though! "Where were you hiding him?!" Was asked lol

Listen to me- you ARE NOT A FAILURE, okay? I promise you that no one is thinking you are "a fat git who spends all day eating crap and does no exercise" that's your brain giving you heck. When my brain gives me heck I tell it to shut up and do something productive like boost my mood instead of kicking me! (It's actually quite effective after some practice).

Please tell your midwife how you feel, she will reassure you.

Omg please try not to judge yourself!

My mum had GD when she was very underweight.

I was on the cusp of having it and I was in an active job and eating NO sugar (went right off it all through pregnancy).

People get it for all sorts of reasons and I promise no one is judging you so please be kind to yourself x

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I felt the same, I'm slim so didnt expect it, (However I had a bad reaction from the glucose test and they had to take my bloods 20 minutes early)
I ate healthier and better than I did pre pregnancy. Nurse said that it's not due to the food I've been eating and it wasn't my fault, its just hormones and the body is dealing is sugar differently. So no matter what, its better that it was picked up. Tried to manage with diet, didnt help, currently on medication and trying to avoid insulin. (I hate needles, hate it enough having to test my blood sugar)
I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant now and birth will be planned as he is measuring larger.
I've also spoke to others who've had it and they said not to be too disappointed or upset about it.
It's just one of those things. I've had extra scans and consultant appointments to ensure all is well.

All will be fine,

Hope that helps.

Sending hugs. I had GD with a BMI of about 21 just before pregnancy. Small size 10. As other posters have explained, this one is due to the fact of being pregnant. It did take a bit to get my head around, but in retrospect it was very helpful in making sure I kept to a very healthy diet and made a point of short walks after meals. As I neared the due date, it was getting a bit hit or miss on whether I would be placed on insulin as sugar regulation started to become more erratic despite being diligent. It’s the fact of being pregnant driving that. The important thing is you now know, get all of the support and help you can, and take care of yourself. You can do this!

It is most definitely not your fault! I have a friend who is a PT, trained throughout her pregnancy and stayed very fit and healthy and still developed GD!

Thanks so much everyone for all your lovely responses. I have had a really good cry and chat to myself and will re-read them all tomorrow when my head is in a better space.

GD is caused by hormones and the placenta, it is not caused by what you have eaten so try not to feel bad about it.

I'm slim and have had GD in last 2 pregnancies out of 4. It's the placenta that causes it not the person it can't be helped and is just one of those things that happen so don't beat yourself up about it x

My diabetes specialist told me I could've eaten just kale everyday my entire pregnancy and still have gotten GD. It is not caused by diet it is caused by hormones from your placenta that makes your body less susceptible to insulin so do not feel bad or beat yourself up over it as there is nothing you could've done! I was a fit and healthy weight, I ate pretty well and yet I still developed it. it's not something you can stop from developing by diet as it's caused by hormones that you can't control if you're going to get it you will regardless if you ate salad the whole time or chocolate. I'm sorry that you're going through this I know that it isn't fun and it is disheartening as I had it in my previous pregnancy of my DS and I also have it in my current pregnancy (I'm 33 + 5 weeks) my first son was born completely healthy and no complications from it I was induced due to my sugars not being well controlled as my body kept getting more resistant to the insulin the further in the pregnancy I got (which again is normal and cannot be helped) my second pregnancy is also going well and had no problems with baby from the diabetes. You have nothing to worry about it just means you'll be kept a closer eye on! Just follow the advice they give you in regards to your diet now etc but as to being diagnosed with it was definitely not your fault so please don't be disheartened!

I know 3 people with GD, all a average weight, healthy eaters, exercised etc. It's not your fault.

About 7% of pregnant women get GD I believe. All
Sorts of women, all sorts of diets, levels of fitness, shapes, sizes, ages etc. I had it. Had a healthy, 6 pound baby. Appreciated the extra check ups I had. Please don’t beat yourself up x

My friend had GD with both pregnancies she's a size 8 marathon runner.....

Some people are just more predispositioned to it don't beat yourself up about it.

Follow the specialist diet advice you will be given (low GI) and things should be OK.
Her babies were perfectly healthy and 7lb babies me on the other side no GD had over a 9lb baby!

Just keep it in check as much as possible

Oh OP, I feel for you so much. I had very similar feelings when I was diagnosed with GD. But please, please be assured that this is not your fault and not because of anything you did - it is a hormonal condition, and you can’t control your hormones. It affects all kinds of women on all kinds of diets, of all body types etc. Let go of the idea that you have failed yourself or your baby because it’s toxic and untrue.

I had my baby 2 weeks ago, after being diagnosed with GD at 28 weeks. I was devastated at first but honestly, it was absolutely fine. It was a bore having to be careful about food but I got used to it really quickly and it just became very normal!

My baby was induced 2 weeks early due to slightly slowed growth at the end. He’s now here safely and absolutely super - born weighing 8lb and passed his post natal blood sugar tests perfectly. He’s a little dream, worth every sacrificed biscuit and blood sugar test.

I really recommend the Gestational Diabetes UK Facebook group and website. It’s such a supportive community and there are amazing recipes (for things you would never believe you could have, like millionaires shortbread). There is also much more detailed dietary advice and info than you get from the NHS.

You’ll be absolutely grand OP - and your baby will be worth every second

Woaaaahhh OP, why are you beating yourself up? I was diagnosed with GD in my first pregnancy and literally awaiting my results for my second pregnancy they are due tomorrow and I am not ‘overweight’ etc. When I had my first I went to a diabetic class (I doubt the trusts will run these during Covid) but I met soo many lovely ladies and none of them were ‘fat’, we were all average ladies and didn’t overindulge. It’s something that is out of some people’s control. I ended up on metformin and insulin, even though I stuck to a strict diabetic diet. My son was absolutely fine when he was born and no need for any NICU trip. I had him 3 weeks early but still ‘full term’ at 37w. We get lucky meeting our babies early is my opinion and we get the best care because we are seen as higher risk. You’ll be in good hands and looked after. Remember 1 in 20 ladies have GD regardless of weight!!
Good luck and you’ll meet your little one earlier than expected I’d imagine. Don’t beat yourself up or say anything negative like that! Enjoy Xmas and have 1 day of naughtiness 😊