Gestational diabetes

[Elna]

Hey, so I need your help.
I'm currently 34weeks pregnant with my first baby and about 2 weeks ago my midwife finally booked me in for my diabetes test. The test came back positive and now I've been left in the dark by my midwife/doctor and so I'm basically googling everything to find out information (which is the scary thing). Since finding out, I haven't had any check ups or meetings in regards to the diabetes. Any tips on what I should do about my midwife/diet? And just if you have any experience to share with me? I have a little under 6 weeks to go and I'm stressing! Plus might as well add on the extreme pelvic pain! Hahaha

Thank you xx

You should get a follow up appointment in the antenatal diabetes clinic where you’ll be given some more info and a testing kit etc. Can you ring your community midwives and chase them?

In the meantime, my only advice would be to cut out sugar and adopt a low carb/high protein and fats diet. Different people tolerate a different amount of carbs so it’s hard to tell until you have a testing kit but that’s a good start! And join the Facebook group gestation diabetes UK — m.facebook.com/GDUKMums — the community there was a godsend for me when I was diagnosed. Loads of food tips and recipe ideas, support when freaking out, advice on how to eat out/still enjoy takeaways etc.

Good luck! It’s a tough ol’ road and it sounds like your midwife isn’t making it any easier at the moment. All worth it when your baby arrives though 🥰

Hi @Elna, I got my GD diagnosis yesterday at 28+3 so a little earlier than you.

But I must say I’m shocked that you’ve not had any info given to you. Like I said I only got my diagnosis yesterday afternoon, but my the evening I’d had a call from the maternity unit at hospital asking me to go in today to pick up a kit and some info, and they told me they’ve referred me to the diabetic team and dietician at the main hospital, and that if I don’t hear with an appointment by next week, to give them a call and they’ll chase it.

From what I understand you’ll need a testing kit so you can monitor your bloods several times a day which will give you an indication of what foods you can tolerate etc.

I was also told over the phone, as a basic, to cut down carbs, cut down sugars, and step up my weekly exercise to around 2.5 hours a week as this will help burn off any excess sugar.

I hope you’re able to get some answers and information, as I know I feel totally daunted and overwhelmed!

Would also recommend joining the GD UK Facebook group. Or they have a normal website if you aren’t on Facebook.

Hi Op, some great advice here already and would also recommend the facebook group as well as the normal website which has recipes too and further info managing GD. Since I got diagnosed, I've cut out any 'white' products - so no white bread, white pasta, white rice etc. I can tolerate brown rice but in smaller quantities. A few tips I've picked up:

• Always pair any carbs with protein and healthy fats - for example, if you're having brown toast, have it with butter/peanut butter/eggs/ cheese.
• Sounds obvious but cut out the usual suspects like cakes, chocolate etc. even dark chocolate can have a lot of carbs.
• dried fruit has a lot of sugar, ripe bananas, apples too (but granny smith paired with nut butter should be ok)
• cereals, muesli are a big no no
• go for a walk or just up/down the stairs after each meal as that helps with the glucose levels.

Do you have your testing kit already, how have your readings been so far?