Anyone developed gestational diabetes late in pregnancy (after 37 weeks)?

[cravingchocolate]

Been refered for a GTT later this week and getting myself in a compete state about the results and what is means for me and baby. Was anyone else diagnosed late in pregnancy and what happened? Can't ask my midwife as she is completely unapproachable and useless. Going mad here wondering what happens and what might go wrong.

I did - well, at about 35 - 36 weeks. Everything was fine - I was able to control it with diet (they give you a litle finger prick monitor and you have to monitor your blood sugar at intervals throughout the day) I was able to keep mine at normal levels just by not eating carbs - like bread, potatoes etc. To be honest it wasn't that hard as it was only for a few weeks. They probably wouldn't put you straight onto insulin until they see how bad it is and you should have a good chance of being allowed to diet control if you do have it.

The only problem really with getting it this late is that your baby might be bigger than average and the medics will fret about this.
Unfortunately for me the docs went in for a bit of scare mongering and told me that my baby was going to be huge. I really felt that he wasn't but they wanted me to be induced and I didn't argue. That wasn't a particularly nice birth experience and when he came out he was only 7lbs 15. If I knew then what I know now I would have refused it.
Apart from that there was absolutely no effect on the baby oh - and one good side effect of having GD was that I got loads of extra monitoring in the last couple of weeks.

It really isn't the end of the world - if you do have it don't worry - so long as you eat the right things it won't cause a problem and it will be over before you know it.

Thank you for that - it helps to hear someone elses experience. I can't believe how worked up I am getting myself, not helped by raging pregnancy hormones!

This is number 3 for me and I had no problems with the other 2, I kept being told that they were enormous but they were 6lbs 14 and 7lbs 12. They have told me that this baby is big - but only just above the average line when they have measured it. Also I am not small and my dh is 6'7'' so would be surprised if it was tiny tbh!

Really just want to get it over and done with now I am 38 weeks and just willing it to come out asap, preferably before I have to see my midwife again!

What happened after the birth? Was the baby monitored more closely? I was hoping to be able to come home quickly as I did after the last two, but don't think that I will be allowed to now. Did they talk to you about the risk of developing diabetes later in life?

Sorry to bombard you with questions - trying to find out as much as I can without googling!

Oh and what happened to you after the birth - were you able to eat normally again or did you have to keep monitoring your blood sugars?

Craving - after birth they will do nothing but you will probably be refered for a repeat GTT several months after the baby is born. IT does seem to cause much confussion on the wards for me as I stop taking my insulin and stopped monitoring my bloods (as per the diabetic teams instructions) they were most upset at me eating chocolate! (I was allowed to honest!

The only thing they might do is induce you - depending on hospital policy - the hospital I have delivered at have a 38 wk cut of point for diabetics - diabetes can affect the placenta, and obviously the risk of your baby being larger.

They will monitor the baby a little more again this depends on your hospital policy - I was on insulin so different as well, but your baby will probably need to have his/her blood sugar monitored just to make sure it doens't get too low - as if you are diabetic the little one will be used to higher blood sugars. I still have managed home after 3 days, and that was with the baby in special care for 24 hours

Don't believe what they say about the baby being big, with my daughter I had BIG BABY written in capital red letters across every page in my notes - and she was 6lbs11oz at 38wks - not exactly a whooper huh!

There is a a risk of developing diabetes if you have GD I think it is something like 5 - 10% higher than the average.

hoping this is of some help - sorry for jumping in :S

This is one thing I never got - before the birth when they were telling me I had to be induced because he was huge they were telling me about all this monitoring that would have to be done and how he would have to be fed quickly and all sorts of scary crap. After he was born the never said another word about it - I asked why he wasn't being monitored and they dismissively said oh he is fine.

As for myself they told me that I could go back to eating normally immediately he was born and I had to go back for a repeat GTT after six weeks - it was fine. They tell you that with GD you are not diabetic and nor is the baby - but the pregnancy is.

I know its a pain but at your stage its not such a big deal. There was also talk of GD affecting the placenta but I went for a private scan and my placenta and all of that was perfectly fine. I regret being pushed into an induction but you don't feel in a position to go against their wishes.

Thank you both so much for your advice and experiences - you have no idea how much better I feel now!

Have been back at the hospital again today to be monitored as I saw my midwife today and after spending 5 minutes with her my blood pressure was through the roof. Got to hospital spent 40 minutes on a monitor and blood pressure came down very quickly.

Am having contractions but nothing painful, and on examination am 2 cm dilated so I am really hoping that something is going to kick off soon!!

Back in on Friday for the GTT if nothing happens before!

Thank you again.

Craving I hope that your LO decides to make an appearance in the next 48 hours and you don't have to do the GTT