Gestational diabetes and heart conditions

[Valentina98]

Hey Everyone

I believe most of you know I'm pregnant and currently in my second trimester, I've got gestational diabetes. I've currently just got to monitor my diet and blood sugars, I also have hypothyroidism (been controlled for a while now)

So with my heart issues (small hole, a cardiac arrest and heart attack, and recovered from myocarditis) is there anything else I should do to look after myself diet wise, or anything else I've not thought of I've spoken to the diabetic team and I'm seeing the cardiologist tomorrow so I can ask more questions tomorrow.

V x

[Instructor57]

Hi V I've sent you a DM x

[BeKind28-]

Hello

You have a lot of professionals keeping a close eye on you and watching for hidden sugars in foods is about the only advice I can give as well as you already know to eat healthy and keep moving

The positive thing is so many women can end up with diabetes when they are pregnant and this is quite common but once they have had their baby it also is common it goes back to normal so fingers crossed yours will to x

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Are you under the care of a Diabetic Midwife Specialist ?

Usually women with a complex heart history are cared for by a multidisciplinary team of an Obstetrician, Midwife, Cardiologist with a specialist interest in obstetrics and other relevant specialties.

I suggest you talk to your named Midwife so they can sign post you to the appropriate information.

[Digger0]

Apart from keeping active and watching those creeping sugars, see if there is a specialist heart/diabetic midwife?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Lots of useful information if you do a web search on this topic including the following

mkuh.nhs.uk/patient-informa...

[Weetabixie]

I only know of gestational diabetes not with other conditions alongside. My friend as in the suggestions given in the kind replies had a diabetic nurse and midwife with regular tests for key tones. She was however given blood thinning injections and after the birth the diabetes disappeared again. Happened more than once with different pregnancies. All was good after each birth

Ps was mainly diet control of balancing carbs and protein in meals and cutting carbs and sugars in between.

[Yumz199725]

I've heard of this my sister was suspected of having this when she was pregnant 🤰 but thankfully she didn't. I hope your appointment goes well hun glad there keeping a good eye on you and your baby ❤️❤️xx

[JeremiahObadiah]

That’s a shame, but not unusual and good it has been picked up and being monitored.

Presumably you have been given some detailed advice about diet? . Have you been advised about exercise too? Tricky as one gets bigger and movement is hard and tiring , but from what I understand it helps regulating blood sugar. . Walking after a meal maybe ?

Wishing you and the now larger Olive all the very best. X

[Valentina98]

Thanks for all the advice, I got a long list of what food to eat and what to avoid (luckily my main craving is on the good side)

I already do a bit of exercise, I'm still running (plodding along) every Saturday, I'm now swimming once a week and I'm looking at starting a pregnant yoga class.

Midwife was happy with everything and Olive has a good strong heartbeat.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Valentina98]

I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancies. Controlled by diet and exercise.

I found swimming the best exercise especially as I got bigger and bigger.

All my 3 babies were over 4kgs when they were born.

Yoga was brilliant, the breathing and relaxation techniques were so helpful. I still use the breathing skills to help manage my symptoms of vasospastic angina.

I still go to yoga classes.