Gestational Diabetes

[mollysmommy]

Hi everyone

I had my glucose test today and it's come back raised so I have gestational diabetes. I am absolutely devastated 😭 please can anyone share their experiences of it with me? My biggest concern is that it won't go away. I'm absolutely heartbroken I've got it 😭

Thank you

I've not had it but have a few friends who have, it's gone away with all of them so please don't worry too much.

If you follow all of the advice, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Have they referred you to a Dietitian at all? If not, it might be worth asking

Thank you for replying 😘 I'm going back tomorrow to see the diabetic nurse so will find out more.
I just feel like a massive failure, like I've not done the best for my little boy

I just feel like a massive failure, like I've not done the best for my little boy.

Please don't feel like this. The fact that you're concerned and going to all of your appointments shows that you'll make a great Mum.

You haven't got much control about the news you've been given today but you have a lot of control over what happens from now on. Keep active OP and do everything the MW says tomorrow and if you don't understand anything, just ask

You're not a failure. Gestational diabetes is caused by hormones from the placenta, not your diet. I was diagnosed at 32 weeks and have managed it with diet changes and exercise. Some women can't, and that's ok too. As long as you follow the diet advice or take your medication, there's very little additional risk to your baby. It usually goes away after birth, but you are more at risk of type 2 diabetes in future.

I had gd as well. There is nothing you could have done to prevent it. Gd usually goes away after you give birth , it did for me and for everyone else i know who had it. You are obviously at a higher risk of getting diabetes later on in life so you need to take good care. Your diabetic nurse will tell you what level you need to keep your readings at in order to ensure baby won't get too big.I asked for a dietician but it never happened. It was trial and error with different low carb foods until I got a working diet. I had an average sized baby but the hospital still insisted I should be induced on DD. You'll be just fine. Good luck.

It isn't something you've done but I absolutely understand how you feel as that's exactly how I felt when diagnosed.

My only piece of advice is to get yourself onto the gestational diabetes UK Facebook group. Their knowledge and support will surpass anything you are told by the dietitians who in my experience follow out of date and sometimes dangerous information.

I know two people who had it and it vanished after birth. The only issue was one of the babies had low blood sugar at birth. This was a minor thing and easily treated but can be avoided by feeding as soon as poss after birth. Its just handy to know feeding is a priority after birth.

This is no more your fault than any medical condition.

I promise you everything is going to be ok.

I was devastated when I was diagnosed but I very quickly came for terms with it. The diet is easy to follow once you get your head around it, and GD is a totally manageable condition. I ended up taking 2 metformin per day to control my fasting levels. I felt totally well the entire time.

I had regular growth scans which was so lovely - so many extra opportunities to see my baby and be reassured that all was well.

My baby’s growth slowed a little towards the end so I was induced at 38+3. Labour didn’t really progress and ultimately I had an emergency c-section but I felt totally supported, informed and cared for the whole time and even though it wasn’t what I wanted I had a really positive birth experience. My baby was 8lb at birth, and was healthy and well from the start.

You have absolutely not failed your baby. You couldn’t have prevented this, and it isn’t caused by anything you did. It’s a hormonal condition. It will not cause your baby harm, because you’re a good mum who will follow the advice and manage the condition, whether that takes diet or medication. Please be reassured that everything will be ok

I hugely recommended the Gestational Diabetes UK website and Facebook group. It’s a hugely supportive environment and will give you so much access to support and advice. The dietary advice in particular is excellent and often much better and more up to date than NHS dietary advice for gestational diabetes.

I had GD in my second pregnancy. The first thing I asked was, "is it my fault?" I was told most definitely not, so please don't even give that another thought.
I tried to manage it through diet but for me it just wasn't possible. I ended up on Metformin and eventually for the last 6 weeks on insulin.
If there is an upside to it - like mentioned above - I got lots of extra scans, so saw quite a bit of my baby.
I eventually had a ELC, not because of any size issues but because I had a previous section. I also had preeclampsia and other stuff going on.
The birth was fine, DS was fine and the diabetes disappeared after he was born. My sister and friend also had GD and like me their also disappeared once they had given birth.
It's always a shock to find these things out but it is quite common. The main advice I would give is don't try to manage it with diet at the expense of eating. I had in my head that I didn't want to go on medication and ended up being starving all the time as even eating the 'right' thing sent my sugars up. It is better you are on medication that controls your levels adequately and have enough to eat then being miserable, pregnant and bloody starving!

Thank you all so much for your reassurance! I don't feel as bad after hearing these things, but I guess I'll come to terms with it eventually.
I didn't have it with my first and had quite an easy pregnancy/birth. I suppose I was hoping for this one to be plainsaling too.
Again, thank you all so much ❤️

Hi Ladies,
Please have a read of my petition on Gestational Diabetes:

I have found a gap in the equal care of women at different hospital Trusts, every woman should be tested for GDM properly in pregnancy through a OGTT ( Oral Glucose Tolerance Test), so many women have no idea they are suffering from it. Please have a read of my petition to explain my reasons and please kindly sign and share.
www.change.org/Equal-pregnancy-care