Gestational diabetes - feel ashamed!

[Pr1ncessa]

Hi!

Long time lurker on these boards but not had courage to post!

Am due April with a very much longed for IVF baby after many, many years of bad luck.

Was sent for glucose tolerance test today at 26 weeks and when went to give 2nd sample was told I’d failed the test as first sample was high at 5.4 and that I have gestational diabetes! Was quite shocked as not really been eating the same since being pregnant - i’m still in my normal clothes and have actually lost weight - I was fairly chunky to start with though at BMI 33 so maybe not a bad thing.

On reflection I have been having things like white bread toasted for dinner and not eating as much protein or meat or big portions as I can’t stomach them plus even water giving me heartburn! Also had other common ailments - can’t tolerate iron either as the constipation was just horrific but managing as best I can on spatone and lsctulose (yuck yuck yuck)

Im posting as I just feel so ashamed that I’ve done this to myself when I could have been doing better diet wise for the baby . I honestly thought I was going to be okay - hba1c 36 never any sugar in my urine and worse to boot I’m a healthcare professional who ought to know better.

I asked the midwife the criteria as I’m aware criteria for GD harsher than type 2 diabetes and it seems in Scotland to be tougher than rest of Uk - anything over 5 is GD.

Obviously I will take any advice I’m to get re what comes next but I’m scared I’m going to end up on meds which will make me feel yuckier and also terrified I’ve put baby at risk.

Anyone got any sensible advice who’s been here before?

Hi op. I am dealing with this too. Diagnosed at 28 weeks now 34. I didn’t have Gd with my first pregnancy so was a shock this time. First don’t blame yourself it’s the placenta that isn’t producing enough insulin. There are increased risk factors but it can literally happen to anyone. If you haven’t already look at the gestational diabetes uk website and they have a Facebook group which is so helpful. I have learnt so much more there than through the hospital where they just seem to want to blame you for bringing it on yourself. I am currently diet controlled and hope I can stay that way through to the end so it doesn’t necessarily mean medication

I’m going for the test soon - it’s nothing to do with diet - it’s the placenta which stops you producing insulin.
it should be manageable, just keep an eye on blood sugars now, they might not even be that high - shouldn’t change your birth plan, can still have a home birth etc.

I was very much in your shoes four years back, IVF baby and all. The shame was quite horrible. This is the best site that I found. I followed their meal plans and never tested with high or low sugar at all.

www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/

Don't feel bad though and don't stop eating.

OP don’t blame yourself it can happen to anyone and it wasn’t your fault. I felt the same way when I got GD, I was overweight to start with and was really down about it. But months later my friend who is the perfect weight, exercises and eats well got it and had it worse than I did.

Don't beat yourself up OP, I was you just a matter of months ago. I was diagnosed at 32 weeks with our longed for rainbow baby, and I look back now and feel silly at how much time I spent hating myself!
I had a fantastic consultant who assured me it wasn't my fault. I was worried about risks to the baby (I'd had a previous third trimester loss so I was anxious anyway), but she explained that risks come when GD is undiagnosed. When it's diagnosed the risk of anything happening to baby goes back to the normal range for any pregnancy.
I ended up on the highest dose of Metformin and then insulin too as my morning reading would just not come down (the rest were perfect). I was mortified. But my little girl was born perfectly healthy at 39 weeks (by planned section, but planned due to previous loss not GD), weighing 8lb 6oz. She was measuring above the 95th percentile in pregnancy, but she's now just below the 50th!
Try and remind yourself that it's a good thing they've found the GD. Good luck OP!

It's totally in your control now, and it's very easy if you follow a strict and healthy diet. I was really worried, but managed it quite easily. You'll be ok!