Gestational diabetes

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How serious is this in pregnancy?

It depends on the woman. It can be serious, but is often very well controlled. It can mean babies are much bigger, especially if it is not well-controlled and that’s a danger to mum and baby. If the baby is bigger, they often need a NICU stay and struggle to control their own blood sugars, but are usually very well supported. Mums tend to need to be monitored more closely as other risks, like higher b/p or pre-eclampsia can occur. For some women, it’s mainly controlled through diet, whereas others require medication.

If you’ve been diagnosed, you need to talk to your midwife about your personal situation and what’s recommended for you and your baby.

I had it with my second child. I had to change my diet completely (I'm a chocolate fiend), I managed it by diet control only. This massively helped me as in the end I only put the babies weight on, I was induced with her two weeks early as GD babies they don't tend to let you go full term. The induction was quite intense but I can't say the worst thing I've ever been through and when she was born she was only 6lb 12! So still a little dot!

I had GD in my pregnancy (baby is nearly 6mo now). You will need to monitor your blood sugar readings 4x per day - mine was under control by diet at first, but after a while needed medication (metformin).

Women with GD are advised to give birth early/not go overdue, for me it was 39 weeks but I think some hospitals it’s 40. I had a planned c-section.

Baby’s blood sugar will be monitored after birth. In my case there were no issues.

Happy to answer any questions.

Some useful websites
https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/gestational-diabetes/

https://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/

Thank you for your answers! It's not for me personally but for a friend. Useful to know that baby may arrive earlier than 40 weeks if a planned CS is decided upon.

It all depends if it's managed or not to be honest . If it's managed well and you follow the diet and medical advice then I would t worry . I would worry if it wasn't diagnosed or missed or someone didn't follow the diet and control their blood sugars . There is a really helpful Facebook group that is a well
Of knowledge on managing it and diet it's gestational diabetes Uk. It's all about balancing your carbs with fats and protein it's very daunting at the beginning but honestly after a few days you get into the swing of things .

I had GD with my 2nd DD and controlled it by diet.

I checked my sugar levels several times a day and stopped all sugar for the whole pregnancy.

I also had more scans than usual but I was happy with that.

I ended up having a normal birth with no complications.

I had gestational diabetes with my first and it was a bit of a pain to keep having to check my bloods but fortunately was able to control it through diet (which made me eat healthier!). As it was so well controlled I was only induced at 40 + 5. Pregnant with my second now and having to have checks earlier to see if I've got it again (not got it so far).

For me, wasn't serious at all. I got it through genetics - my mum had it with me, and my sister had it with my niece. I believe we all had normal BMIs.
I was able to control just with my diet. Didn't have any medication. Baby came 8 days early spontaneously, weighing a little 6lb 7oz!

I just got diagnosed yesterday, it was on a whim they caught it as I wasn't due to have additional scans but I have a faster heart rate, so they decided to do one at 32 weeks which showed baby measuring only slightly larger, a week ahead, they asked me to do a gd test I was convinced I didnt have it so was totally shocked to get that call!

but it is what it is, im awaiting a info session on Tuesday but ive been testing my bloods today myself and ive been within range for them all so far so hoping I can stay diet controlled for the last few weeks! im 34 nearly 35 weeks

also I have normal BMI, no history of it in family etc

so its scary to think that if I didnt have extra scan because of my heart I would never of known!
I think its more dangerous if you dont know you have it, so knowing you have it is the first step as you'll be monitored well.
I must admit I was crying very badly yesterday as I thought how can I manage no sugar at all as I have a huge sweet tooth but I dont have long left.
but everyone has made me feel much better saying it can be managed, and its not the end of the world!
you get given a lot of information about it with the test kit I collected yesterday, mentions changing diet in steps so first cutting out all sugars/ unnecessary ones, then if that doesn't work try step 2 etc making more changes

Had it in my last pregnancy. Couldn't control it with diet - even a small amount of brown rice would send glucose through the roof. Had to go on insulin at 6m pregnant, which was fine (though annoying). Ended the pregnancy weighing more or less what I had at the start, as a result of the zero sugar! Baby was born a normal weight, on the smaller side in fact. Five years on no issues for either of us.

It can be dangerous if not diagnosed and/or controlled. I had it when I was pregnant. My BMI is within the healthy range and I didn’t gain an unusual amount of weight in pregnancy. I believe I got it because of my genetics. My mum has type one diabetes which puts me at a greater risk of developing it, which is why I was tested for it despite my BMI being normal. I was able to control it through diet and exercise but it was difficult and very restrictive. I measured my blood sugar levels 4 times a day, cut all sugar out of my diet and tried to eat as few carbohydrates as possible. I also walked for at least 30 minutes after every meal. My son was measuring big and I was induced at 39 weeks as a precaution. Though he was actually born a completely average weight with no blood sugar issues himself or any other signs of being carried by a mother with gestational diabetes, so all the effort was worth it in the end. I went back to my pre pregnancy weight in a couple of days because I’d been on such a restrictive diet I hadn’t really gained weight other than the actual weight of the baby.