I’ve got gestational diabetes! Feel so guilty!

[Merryclaire]

I’m 34 weeks today and had a second glucose intolerance test last week because baby is measuring very big. Had one only 5 weeks previously which was fine, so it’s come on quite quickly.

Obviously not long to go, so I can live with a miserable 6 weeks of no sugar and low carbs.

But I feel so distraught and guilty! I knew I had been eating too much sugar and not exercising enough, and now I feel I have endangered the baby and given her potential health issues.

How long does it take to get under control? And when will I know if I’ve caused any lasting harm?

I'm pretty sure it's not caused by something the mother has done.

Sorry can't help further ! I've got my gtt tomorrow myself

I’m not a medic but your body needs to produce something like 4 times as much insulin when you’re pregnant. It just gets harder for your body to keep up as the pregnancy progresses.
Don’t feel guilty. It’s not something you’ve done. It’s what you do with the knowledge now that matters.
Also, remember that most of the risk with gestational diabetes comes with undiagnosed cases. Once it’s diagnosed and treated however is appropriate for your case (which might involve any combination of diet, exercise, metformin, insulin, extra scans, induction etc), the associated risks to the baby are massively reduced.

Don't blame yourself, it's not anything you've done, gestational diabetes isn't on the same level as type 1 or type 2 diabetes- it's all caused by the placenta, that's why as soon as baby is born it resolves itself for the mother!

Chances are you may have less time as usually with GD you may be offered an earlier induction depending on how baby is doing and what your blood sugars are doing but the consultants should go through all that with you!

It's naff all to do with what you have done or what you have eaten so absolutely no need to feel guilt.

Take a moment to stop and process and then get yourself on fb and the gestational diabetes page and sign up for their fabulous recipes.

You've done nothing to harm your baby and you now know so you can take steps to help manage the diagnosis.

Hey I had this in my last pregnancy and I’m very thin and baby turned out to be low birth weight. I was diet controlled but it depends how much your body can tolerate. It’s to do with placenta hormones and insulin resistance not what you’ve been eating because my hba1c was healthy throughout and my levels returned to normal after the birth. Im preparing to get diagnosed again and as long as I don’t get permanent diabetes i just put it down to your pregnancy. Please don’t feel bad or guilty, just check your levels and if you need medication there is nothing to feel bad about.

yes the gestational diabetes fb page was a godsend, I didn’t sign up last time but I will this time if I’m diagnosed!

yes the gestational diabetes fb page was a godsend, I didn’t sign up last time but I will this time if I’m diagnosed!

Honestly could not have got through my pregnancy without it and I now recommend it evangelically to all parents in the same situation.

Once the shock dies down reading the posts and seeing you're not alone is so helpful. As are the recipes for taking all the stress, guess work and worry out of the situation.

Also love your username is it GD related? Cheese is life for GD mums.

Thanks all - I will definitely join that Facebook group.

I do feel responsible as my BMI is over 30 and I know I have been eating too much sugar. I just feel so hungry all the time and have been craving sweet things and carbs.

I’ve spent the best part of a decade being no sugar/low carb. Just to reassure you. :)

@@Merryclaire definitely have a talk with the Gd midwife, you should get appointed one, but it isn't your fault, no amount of sweet things would have caused this- blaming yourself isn't going to help you mental health and best to talk to someone about how it all works etc to put your mind at rest