15 weeks and 1 day pregnant with gestational diabetes

[Asha82]

Hi ladies, I'm 15 weeks and 1 day pregnant and I had my glucose tolerance test done yesterday because I had increased sugar levels 5 months ago, I just found out I have gestational diabetes I'm lucky they checked early for me, I have my appointment next Monday to talk about diet and to get the sugar level checking machine but I'm really worried about it, it has set my anxiety off, can some of you ladies please tell me about your experience with gestational diabetes if you have had it, my dad is diabetic type 2 so I'm worried once my baby is born I will end up with gestational diabetes🙁

[JA-fnuk Partner]

Great that they have found you have this condition that can effect pregnant women and it usually disappears after giving birth - it happens when your body cannot produce enough of a hormone [insulin] to meet your extra needs in pregnancy Best speak with your midwife/Dr and they will explain it fully to you

Take care

Janet-Partner

[Asha82 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you for replying I really appreciate it

[Applepie7]

GD usually goes after pregnancy you will need to have a blood test 6 to 8 weeks after you deliver to check your sugar levels. You can control GD with diet if not you will be prescribed medication or insulin injections both are safe during pregnancy. Don't worry as this can be managed easily. Your clinic should be able to give you more info.

[Asha82 in reply to Applepie7]

Thank you so much for replying, I'm just worried because my dad is type 2 which apparently means higher risk of developing type 2 after having GD, also I'm a bit concerned because I read on Google that it increases your chances of developing preaclampsia at the moment I have low blood pressure

[Applepie7 in reply to Asha82]

Hi please dont worry GD is very common in pregnancy and as they have caught it earlier they will monitor you and your sugar levels. Remember happy mama happy baby so plese dont worry you have your medical team to look after you and they will keep a close eye on you.

[Asha82 in reply to Applepie7]

Thank you for replying to me

[AuroraXen]

I'm sorry you're worried. Try not to be - the medical team will be keeping a close eye on you and will take great care of you, I'm sure. GD is very common and the more likely outcome is that it will go away after you have the baby xx

[Asha82 in reply to AuroraXen]

Thank you for replying to me xx

[Beacon78]

Hi. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at week 24. It came as a shock as I’m pretty fit and eat sensibly but because of my ethnicity (I’m South Asian) I’m predisposed to diabetes. However with dietary changes and daily monitoring post each meal I was able to control my diabetes. My baby when he was born was only 2.89kg. Pretty small and my gestational diabetes disappeared when they tested me at week 13 postpartum. The hardest thing for me was figuring out what to eat as I’m vegetarian and was dependant on carbs. However I managed it. I did lose weight during the third trimester but my little one was fine and was not hypoglycaemic which can happen where the mother has gestational diabetes. I, too, had low blood pressure and it remained low during the whole pregnancy. I’m sure with your diligence and motivation you will manage to control this and everything will be fine. Best of luck xx

[Asha82 in reply to Beacon78]

Thank you so much for replying to me, I'm so glad it all went well for you and your baby was healthy, I'm already being very careful but I will find out next Monday what I'm allowed to eat diet wise xx

[Beacon78 in reply to Asha82]

I should have said that whilst you are waiting for your appointment you should have a look at this website which gives you some advice about GD and what to eat. Thought it might be helpful to share. xx

diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-di...

[Asha82 in reply to Beacon78]

Thank you I really appreciate it xx

[Preety1983]

Hi

Was diagnosed with gd at wk 28

Baby was born 3kg

I found it really hard to manage with diet or exercise only

Was on insulin

Baby not born with diabetes - they ve tested him

I repeat the glucose test soon

[Asha82 in reply to Preety1983]

Hi, thank you for letting me know, I have my appointment tomorrow to learn about diet and to get the diabetes sugar level checking machine

[lizzybear]

Hey!

I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes at 28 weeks

Managed to stay diet controlled throughout

The best thing you can do is just try and keep it under control as much as you can. If you can’t control your levels by diet alone you may need medication to help - but that’s okay don’t feel ashamed if you need to!

Incorporate healthy fats and plenty of protein with carbs in every meal - try having a protein snack in-between your meals to keep your blood sugar levels stable (e.g. cheese strings, nuts, some meats)

Drink plenty of water between, during and after meals and try and go out for a walk if you can (easier said than done when you feel like your insides are going to drop out because of the little human you’re carrying in there!)

Have you been requested to test after 1 hour or after 2 hours? Usual ranges are 140 (7.8) and under after an hour and 120 (6.7) and under after 2 hours

Fasting levels for me had to be 95 (5.3) and below. Just drink water overnight

Everything will turn out just fine! My son was born at 38 weeks. He’s a very happy and healthy 4 month old now!

Yes your chances of developing Type 2 after having gestational diabetes is higher but it’s not definitive - try not to think too much about that right now and think about the here and now and what you’re doing to keep you and your baby healthy

[Asha82 in reply to lizzybear]

Thank you for replying to me, I'm now 20 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Congratulations on the birth of your little boy, I'm also having a little boy, I'm on insulin at night for fasting levels were high and I'm on insulin for breakfast and dinner as no matter what I tried my levels were high, I have to test every 2 hours, I went to a diabetes control class for gestational diabetes, my fasting levels can't be higher then 5 they said, my baby is measuring the perfect size for my gestation