Gestational diabetes

Just watch your sugar/carb intake. But I wouldn’t worry about it. That can cause stress!

🙋🏻‍♀️ I did! It was completely fine, watch your carbs and sugar intake. Make sure you’re checking your levels and it’ll be fine

have you checked your glucose levels after pregnancy?

Hi Natalia I was diagnosed with GD in my pregnancy. Just look at the foods your eating and check the carbohydrates of which sugars on the packets. I was told to go for things like full fat Greek yoghurt (stay away from low fat or fat free ...usually they have more sugar in) berry fruits such as strawberries, cherries , blackberries etc.
I found rice cakes with cheese on a life saver ! Haha also b n ms sold great 0 sugar stuff like chocolate spread, jam etc, sugar free biscuits. Crisp wise wotists,quavers, Aldi lentil crisps were fine. Meal wise just ensure your plate has only a small fistful size of carbs (pasta, rice, etc) then the rest is vits, minerals, meats/ meat substitutes for protein.
I found the gestational diabetes UK website really helpful too:
https://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/
Even though I controlled what I ate it wasn't enough for my sugars to change. I had to have insulin and Metformin(although I reacted to Metformin so came off it) I had baby 16 days ago and GD completely gone!xx

I talked to a nutritionist

I’ve had it with both my pregnancies, and although no.1 I didn’t have to go onto medication I’m currently pregnant and am on insulin and have been since very early on. It’s a bit of a pain, and I’m not going to lie I miss eating without too much though! But my 1st son was fine he came out at 6lbs 3 and I didn’t have any related problems nor I. I do get checked every year as suggested. Although I’m currently on insulin my 2nd pregnancy is going well baby’s not too big and I’m much more relaxed about it this time around. It was hard the 1st time and I felt like I was to blame but you are not to blame and should try not to let it get you down.

GD Uk is a great resource 👍🏻

I had it with my first pregnancy but not with my second. They check your glucose again after you have the baby to make sure it is gone. I was sent to a nutritionist and she told me how many carbs I could eat a day and at which meals and snacks. It wasn’t hard to count the carbs but it sucked not being able to eat whatever I wanted. I was able to do it with just diet and exercise. Always eat protein with your carbs, drink lots of water, and take walks for at least 30 minutes a day.

I was! It was somewhat a blessing in disguise, I had really bad eating habits at the start of my pregnancy. When buying snacks I made sure to keep my carbs under 15g per serving +sugar free ice polls were a life saver.

I forgot to mention too Hun. The growth scans I had kept saying I was going to have a big baby. The day before he was born I had a scan due to reduced movement and they measured him at 8lb 1. The day after he was born via emergency c section and weighed 6lb 14oz!!! 😆🤦‍♀️ they aren't very accurate I would say xxx

how do you know GD is completely gone? Do you not have to have a blood test 6 weeks after had baby to confirm you haven't got diabetes x

Hi yes I have another blood test at the 6 weeks mark. I had to still monitor my sugar levels and baby had theirs monitored too both for 24 hrs. I had bloods taken for me after my c section which they tested . Diabetic midwife confirmed all good for me and baby's glucose levels were fine throughout testing. I then have to go back like you say at the 6 week mark :) although I think that's more for me, I haven't been advised of any other checks for my sonxxxx

Thanks everyone for your stories and advice!! I will definitely look into everything you've provided. I'm feeling much better

There’s a gestational diabetes group here on peanut. It definitely kept me sane. I asked all the questions and everyone is super helpful!

https://peanut.app.link/ruyxeucOVCb

I had it as well, I just followed the chart they gave me of what to eat and how to snack, for exercise I would would walk or just do more chores around the house.
I ended needing insulin towards my last month of pregnancy because of my fasting numbers, but after pregnancy I m fine I just try my best to eat healthy since we have a higher chance of getting diabetes.
Also they will talk to you about having the baby around 39 weeks. I personally chose to have a c section because they were saying my baby was huge, when he was born he was 9 pounds and 4 oz and indeed one of the bigger babies in the nursery. Once the baby arrives they checked their sugar for the first 24hrs

Yes I went through it it was hard at first, cause I don’t eat much and eating three times plus three snacks was hard but if you do the right way you are going to see a difference on the way you feel

they also checked my daughter for 24 hrs after,but never checked my sugar again only during labour every hour, until I had emergency section, the 6 weeks one is for you they don't check on baby again now x

I had it, and it was a blessing in disguise I think. Although it was a bit of a faff to work out what I could eat etc, it did mean that I didn’t indulge and put much weight on! I managed it by diet and exercise luckily so didn’t need any meds. It was hard at first to know what I could and couldn’t eat but they gave me a group class at the hospital to run through it all which helped loads. What got me through the times I wanted a treat like a piece of chocolate, I’d allow myself every now and then but the thought that if I didn’t stick to it I could potentially cause my son to have diabetes in his life was enough for me to not indulge. Plus the extra scans you have because of it means you get to see baby more than normal and check that everything is fine! We both were monitored for 24hrs after the birth but we were both good and then had my bloods again at my 6 week check and my GD had gone. You can do it!

I did! was diagnosed at 21 weeks. Went through till 37 completely diet controlled. They wanted to put me on medication then as I had spikes in the last 2 few weeks, however I was getting induced for gestation hypertension at 37+6, so they didn’t. She ended up being 8lbs 9oz, which is a bigger baby for her gestational age. They tested her blood sugar after I gave birth and her bloods were perfect! I didn’t need to test my blood sugars after I gave birth till I did my 6 week test after giving birth and it did not cause me to develop Type 2 diabetes.

ahhh thanks Lindsay I wasn't sure if they did check baby again! Xx

make sure you watch your sugars and find healthy sugar free snack options now for those pregnancy cravings

I had gestational diabetes with my last 2, and currently pregnant with our 3rd and already have it again. I’m on insulin, and have to count carbs and make sure I’m eating every few hours. But it will go away after bubs born ☺️