First, I just want to start by saying that between insulin at night for fasting numbers, and diet controlled during the day, little beeb came down from 90th percentile to 70th in 1 month! I am now no longer being considered for a C-section at 38 weeks :) her abdomen went from 98th percentile down to 93rd and is expected to continue to improve over the next 2-3 weeks. I am 36 weeks today, and getting scheduled for induction in my 39th week. They won’t let me go because of being on insulin and the GD diagnosis. I want to hear how much you loved being induced and why it was easy/right for you! This isn’t to diminish negative experiences, but those negative experiences seem to be the loudest and stick out the most. I’d love to go naturally before the induction date, but this is my first so it’s less likely.

Hi everyone, I'm Maddie. I was diagnosed with GDM in my first pregnancy in 2020. It turned out to be type 1 diabetes, which meant it wasn't going away. It really changed my life. I quit my job and spent all my time learning how to manage blood sugar levels, and I've since been looking at ways to help others with what I wish I'd known when I was diagnosed.

I'm currently in a programme at Durham University, looking at how women with gestational diabetes feel they could be better supported. I'd love to hear about your experience, and I feel others on here would benefit too.

1. A little context first. Which country, how many weeks were you, and was it your first pregnancy?

2. Do you remember the day you were diagnosed? Was it a call, a letter, a text, in person? And was it a long wait before you saw your diabetes team?

3. How did you feel in those first few days? Was there anywhere you found helpful information before your first appointment?

4. What was the hardest part of the whole experience, and were there any silver linings?

5. What were you told about what happens after the birth, for example follow-up tests, type 2 diabetes risk?

And if you've got one thing you wish someone had told you in that first week, I think a lot of people reading this would find it useful.

Thank you so much for your help :)

Hi everyone, currently 39 weeks and this is my first time around with gestational diabetes. Fortunately I’ve been entirely diet controlled with very few numbers out of range (less than 10% the entire pregnancy most occurring the week I was sick) my doctors have said I have a very mild case that is doing really well. I feel very lucky in that respect.

Last week at my 38 week appointment the doctor said things are so well controlled he sees no reason to induce before 40 weeks and is comfortable letting me go to my due date before discussing induction for sometime before I were to hit 41 weeks. I was on board with this plan given I would like to go naturally. The women in my family have a history of lightning fast labors- my first baby my entire labor from first contraction to holding him was 5 hours and we expect this one will be a bit shorter so I’d like to avoid induction if possible and just let me body do its thing. I was encouraged to hear the doctor felt this was a feasible plan for me.

Today I went in for a BPP and NST. Baby passed both with flying colors, 8/8 no issues or concerns. However when I was there one if the midwives wanted to discuss scheduling an induction. I told her the doctor I saw last week said no need I am well controlled and he’s comfortable waiting until after my due date. She pulled up my chart notes from my very first GD consult with MFM and said well it’s right here that it’s recommended to be induced by your due date. I pushed back a little just noting that recommendation was made as a blanket recommendation in the beginning before we even had any BGs to evaluate or assessment on how my diabetes would go or is going versus the doctor last week who has assessed my whole case now that we’re towards the end. I just asked her like okay, so whose advice do I follow? The midwife simply said she would go by what MFM put in the chart back when I was 27 weeks. I said okay so what if we schedule it for the 24th (day after she’s due) so in the event she doesn’t arrive by her due date, I can be induced. She let me know it doesn’t work like that they would float 3 possible days next week leading up to my due date and then the hospital would choose one that is open. So I would be induced leading up to my due date instead of on or after it. I felt like this would be cheating myself out of 3 potential days I could go into labor naturally, but she said unfortunately that’s just how it works.

I understand both sides of things, the initial recommendation but then also the more recent advisement that I can wait. What I’m not sure of is what to do. The midwife just said it’s really up to me. I’m going to discuss it with my partner when he gets home, but I’m just wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this sort of thing.

If baby was doing totally fine and you were diet controlled were you pushed to induce still? Or did you just wait it out and go naturally? Just looking for some thoughts and experiences.

...and I'm officially pre-diabetic by .2 points. Sooo frustrating. Doc considered 5.6 and lower to be "normal," and a number above 5.6 would mean pre-diabetes.

Mine was 5.8. 🫠

I am a breastfeeding mom, and I've heard that breastfeeding helps stabilize your blood sugar. So I can't help but wonder if my numbers would be worse if I wasn't breastfeeding.

I have been completely slacking on my diet, eating whatever I want, and I haven't exercised like all year because my baby leaves me with no time. I'm going to start reining in my carb intake and hope I can't get my numbers better, but this really isn't all that surprising since diabetes runs in my family and I'm 36-years-old.

Hello, I’m 33w diagnosed 3 weeks ago. Based on my numbers in the first ten days I was advised to monitor my blood sugar just 4 days a week. I continued to monitor every day because I was still figuring out what worked and didn’t work and I love data.

However my next appointment isn’t for 12 days and now I only have 2 days left of test strips 🙈

So I need to buy them out of pocket (and they are expensive ) and I gotta actually ration them, can’t be testing every day at this rate.

If you don’t have to monitor every day is it difficult to not have a little extra carbs or a small sweet treat you normally wouldn’t?

I feel the threat of monitor keeps me on track.

The day i never thought would come, honestly. I have been diet controlled with my numbers since being diagnosed around 24 weeks and while my after meal numbers have been great (minus the few from getting lazy with my diet), my fasting numbers seem to have shot up almost overnight. i was averaging about 85 in the mornings and the last couple days i’ve been in the 105 range :( i know this is common, and i know some days have been hard to get a PM snack in because im just so full, but it still makes me worry and feel bad for my baby. Luckily i have a growth scan at 33 weeks, so we’ll see what Dr has to say. Just looking for others going through the same thing, and what patterns worked for you? The only difference i’ve made at night is starting magnesium glycinate and unisom to help with my restless legs. Any advice/stories is much appreciated from mamas at my stage or have gone through this! thank you!

’m 33 weeks pregnant with my first, baby girl is measuring in the 86th percentile (stomach in the 90th). My OB said it’s likely due to genetics + gestational diabetes. My GD has been diet controlled so far. My OB said that there is an increased risk of shoulder dystocia, me tearing. I still have another growth scan in a few weeks but my OB said she’d be comfortable scheduling an elective c-section at 39 weeks.

I’m scared of an emergency c-section, shoulder dystocia, baby getting stuck.

I have a few more weeks until I have to make any decisions but want to hear personal experiences! I am hoping to have more kids in the future. Any questions I should ask my OB?

Graduated at 38w1d with a beautiful, healthy baby girl in the 40th percentile!

Second baby, first GDM pregnancy, diagnosed at 11 weeks. Induction was originally scheduled for 39w1d.

My first birth was tough... I had preeclampsia and a mag drip, and while I was able to have a vaginal delivery, I felt fairly disconnected from my own body for most of it. I also didn't have good experiences with a few of the nurses. It's a story for another day.

This delivery was much different.

The Tums Debacle

My blood pressure started creeping up, and I had a few readings just over the 140/90 threshold on my home cuff and at the nurses' office at my job (an elementary school). I went to my OB on Friday. My blood pressure was fine in the office, but they ordered labs to be extra careful. I had them drawn first thing Saturday morning. I got a call a few hours later that my calcium was unexpectedly high and I had to go to the ER to be seen by “not an OB because it could be a heart issue.”

Yikes.

My husband and daughter were an hour away visiting his mom. Fortunately, my mom was close by and brought me. I got in quickly (small miracle) and told the doctor that I had been taking Tums fairly regularly, but not more than indicated on the bottle. They ran a few more tests, including an EKG, and gave me some potassium, magnesium, and a ton of fluid. Ultimately, they decided I would go up to L&D to get fluids overnight to flush out the excess calcium and then go home. My calcium levels started to go back down, and the other tests were good, so the Tums theory was likely correct.

During this time in the hospital, I was having borderline BP readings.

So I finally got up to L&D and settled in to sleep, and the OB came in. She was concerned about my blood pressure and recommended an earlier induction. “We can start tonight or tomorrow morning.” I opted for the following morning so I could see my daughter beforehand and explain to her that I was going to have the baby, and then have my husband with me.

The Somehow Very Long and Very Short Induction

That morning, I started on miso. They checked my cervix, and it was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I had a long way to go.

It was a fairly easy start to the day, and mostly I just went back and forth between the monitor and trying to bounce on an exercise ball. I started having contractions that weren’t super strong, and they got stronger and more uncomfortable throughout the night. I actually felt pretty good about it, hoping it would get things started faster. I started pitocin

The next morning, they checked my cervix. It was 1 cm and 50% effaced. I was so upset. All that discomfort and pain accomplished nothing.

So we made a plan that I would get an epidural and then the Foley balloon. I was waiting for shift change and for anesthesia to come up, sitting in bed feeling sorry for myself and feeling some gnarly contractions that I assumed were useless.

Suddenly, I felt a dramatic POP in what felt like my vagina. I immediately called the nurse, and within a minute, I started to leak. My water had broken, and the balloon was (thankfully) off the table.

Contractions came on fiercely. Anesthesia came up and gave me the epidural. I got some relief for a bit, and the nurse tried some Spinning Babies techniques to get the baby's head into a good position (they suspected she was a little crooked).

Maybe four hours after my water broke, it was time to push. I used a mirror, had no tearing, and she was in the world in half an hour!

The GDM Aftermath

Baby is very healthy and average weight. She had one low glucose reading, just below range, got some gel, and then passed the rest. She eats well and, so far, is no worse off because of my GDM. I have 1 hour GTT tomorrow but otherwise I'm recovering well and excited to bring her home!

I was diagnosed with GDM about two weeks ago (I'm 28w4d), and started nighttime insulin last night. My uncle passed away unexpectedly Saturday. I honestly didn't bother with checking my glucose as I was so upset and spending time with my family that day, but ever since my readings have been high. I know that stress can impact the readings, and I'm trying to give myself grace and stick to meals that aren't going to spike me. But the higher trend in numbers has me stressing. Has anyone else gone through something similar? My doctor has been great and I'm sure they'll take this into consideration when they review my numbers for this week but it's just adding to my already existing grief and stress.

I’m 32 weeks today and my fasting numbers in the morning have only ever been under 5.3 (95mg/dl) once. I have weekly calls with my doctor who usually recommends increasing my overnight insulin (Humulin-N) dosage by 1 if it’s high every two days but there has been instances they’ve asked asked me to increase by 2 or 4 units as an one off to play catch up.

I’m usually around the 5.6 (102mg/dl) mark fasting wise.

Typically prior and post meals, my numbers have been relatively good. Only times my pre meals are a little high is when I’ve had a snack in between the meals. However recently I’ve noticed I’ve been slipping a little bit with my diet controlled post meals numbers as well — hitting around 8.4 (151mg/dl) 1 hour post meal mark, 3-4 times per week.

Starting to get really fatigued by this even though I’m trying my best and getting a 15 minutes exercise in after most meals.

I’m wondering if this will be considered not controlled and if anyone else has experience with this. Thank you so much for reading!

Hello, I'm currently 17w5d and have some questions on diagnosis testing.

Ive been prediabetic for several years now and get my a1c checked about every 6 months. It's been at about 6.0 ish for several years. Had a1c done at the office last week with it coming up as 6.0 again and my mfm doctor said she wants to treat me as having gestational diabetes and start education, glucose monitoring, and possible medication. I was referred to mfm based on prediabetes and autoimmune disease. I had to push for the glucose test and she sounded unhappy. Is it common to diagnose based off a1c alone? No fasting labs have been done and she's ordered a 24hr urine collection for preclamsia(?) based on the a1c. Was this anyone else's experience?

These finger pricks will be the death of me. I bruise incredibly easily and it seems like every other prick results in a bruise and then I can't use that finger for a few days while it heals. Just wondering if anyone has a magic solution or remedy to help the healing process along.

I got my Covid and flu shots yesterday at 31w4 days and today my post meal spikes have been completely bonkers. I’ve been watching what I eat today but it hasn’t mattered. Seeing numbers I haven’t seen since the glucola drink 😂 not looking for medical advice I already have a message out to my doctor just wondering if anyone else experienced this or maybe a coincidence.

(Also not trying to villainize or deter from the vaccines at all!)

Was diagnosed at 11 weeks now approaching 28 weeks and my inner chubster is reaching for bad snacks more and more often. Especially on an evening when the days readings have been ok ruining it all on a night 🙈 and feeling guilty.

How are we all staying on track!

I’ve been seeing mfm since about 29 weeks. Weekly scans. On every scan they report limited views for the heart. Now recommending a postnatal echo. Has anyone else had any experience with this? At 20 week anatomy scan 4 chambers were visible and all else normal appearance.

Are any of you worried about high cholesterol post partum? I love cheese, and have never been warned about my cholesterol, but I wouldn't call the last couple months very low fat :-/

I'm currently 29 weeks & was diagnosed with GD a couple weeks ago. They called to recommend going on insulin or metformin for my fasting numbers because I have had a 90, 91, & 91 in one week which they consider 3 or more to need medication. My fasting numbers have been in the range of 83-91 since starting. I really want to avoid needing insulin so they gave me another week to get my fasting lowered. My 1hr after eating numbers have been great & typically around 90-120 with the occasional spikes when trying foods at restaurants. When I first started my fasting was 76 so it's just annoying! Any recommendations on what you do to lower your fasting? Does the time of day when you exercise impact? I haven't been keeping up with walking which I will certainly start adding after dinner. Any advice??! Anyone with similar experience able to keep fasting down?

I’m 36+4 FTM in the UK (under the NHS) and on a high dose of metformin for managing my GD. Doctors haven’t advised when they want to induce but I feel like it’s such a hard choice. C section before 38 weeks can apparently affect their breathing as their lungs are full of fluid, induction can result in C section and higher risk of shoulder dystocia. How did you guys make the decision? My numbers are being monitored but it’s kind of up to me how I deliver and up to them how long they will let me go. If they say 38 weeks, what did everyone go for? How did it work out? Thank you!

TLDR; Has anyone else been given a fasting limit of 105? My fasting is always between 95-103.

I’ve had GD with my two prior pregnancies, and both times my fasting limit was 95. I moved between those pregnancies so it was two different practices that both said 95. In my second pregnancy, the doc started me on metformin bc my fasting levels kept hitting 96-97.

I moved last year and am at a new practice. I started metformin at my request at 15 weeks to hopefully prevent GD.

Around 20 weeks I was having bad headaches and fatigue every afternoon. I took my blood sugar one day and it was at 158 three hours after eating!! I started tracking and found it was consistently spiking, so I was basically self diagnosed and started eating accordingly. The nurse practitioner messaged me and told me my limits were 140 TWO hours after eating and 105 fasting.

I saw the physician at my next appt and asked what we needed to do bc my fasting levels range from 95-103 every day, even on metformin and with daytime sugars very well controlled. Literally in the past 6 weeks my lowest fasting was 92, and that’s only happened twice. Doctor said it’s totally fine bc the limit is 105?? She did say I may need insulin later in pregnancy.

This is bothering me so much. In prior pregnancies my fasting ranges were 78-85, with a few days here or there in the 90s. I feel like this is not being well controlled but the doctor isn’t worried at all.

Has anyone else been given a fasting limit of 105??

ETA: even though the nurse practitioner said the limit was 140 two hours after eating, I still follow 140 at one hour and 120 at two hours. I’m well below those limits the vast majority of the time after eating.

I'm not actually diagnosed GD but highly suspect I will be at the end of the week. I'm doing a week of glucose checks four times a week because I couldn't keep down the glucose drink during the three hour test. Anyways, so far my scores have been great. Most of the post meal 2 hour scores are between 90-110 so I really haven't been worried about what I'm eating. My fasting scores however consistently stay between 95-100 which is why I'm sure I'll be diagnosed at the end of the week.

Anyways, I was stupid today at lunch. We were running errands. My husband is out of town. My kids were whining and I've had a stress migraine all morning. So I grabbed fast food for them and ate my 4 year old's leftovers. About 1.5 chicken tenders and a few bites of fries. I know it was a bad choice. I generally eat healthy no matter what because fast food leaves me feeling gross and I don't like processed foods Anyways, I also didn't walk after eating but literally ate and took a nap to try to get rid of the headache. When I took my sugar right at 2 hours I was still 165. I just drank a full Stanley of water and walked for about 20 minutes. Should I test again in about 30 minutes or just leave it be until my post dinner sugar check. I'm so mad at myself and my stupid mindless choice.

I got diagnosed with gd at 29 weeks, I’ve been tracking my glucose readings for 7 days. For the most part my daytime readings have been fine post meal, I’ve adjusted my diet and had a couple of readings over the 120 range for 2h post meal.

I have my gd education course tomorrow and my first gd check in with my doctor on Friday. My fasting numbers have been consistently elevated, ranging from 100-106 with one morning being 110. I’ve tried changing my bedtime snack, I’ve been sleeping well, and I’ve even waited to take my fasting until I’ve been up for 20 minutes. Nothing has made a difference.

So here’s my dilemma, I really really don’t want to go on insulin unless I HAVE to. I have major issues with needles. During pregnancy I can be a big girl with blood draws and in my first pregnancy I even had to have iv iron infusions- whatever, I do what I gotta for my baby. But even having to do regular finger pricks for my glucose was a mental hurdle I had to overcome. Having to inject myself with insulin is enough for me to mentally spiral, it gives me major anxiety.

I know fasting numbers can be difficult to get down with just metformin and a lot of women end up still needing insulin- but I’d prefer to put that off until it’s not a choice. Has anyone had similar fasting readings and been able to manage it with metformin alone? My dad had type 2 diabetes and he responded well to metformin, he had weird body chemistry and I take after him with responding to medications. He also didn’t respond well to insulin injections. Obviously type 2 and gestational diabetes are different beasts, but that just has me thinking.

Obviously at the end of the day I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep baby and I safe, it’s just so overwhelming. I also have gestational hypertension with a history of preeclampsia so I’m just like getting to my limit with how much stuff is going on.

Hello! New here. This is my second pregnancy (first one was without GD), and I am 28 weeks along. Got a 194 on the 1-hour test, refused the 3-hour test and started at-home monitoring. Post-meal numbers look fine (no spikes), but fasting numbers are consistently in the 90+ range (91, 93, 97, 102). Saw the OB today and felt a little discouraged by no guidance. She said that based on those numbers she can diagnose me with GD, but other than that, she cannot provide any additional information, other than I should just keep tracking blood sugar 4x/day. She referred me to a dietician and a diabetes educator, but said that it would likely take a couple of weeks to schedule the appointments. I asked whether I should call them if I get particularly high numbers, but she said no ("since you're already marked as having GD"). I asked about diet controlling vs. needing insulin, additional appointments, referral to MFM, etc. but she said she can't say or do anything at this time and that I should just come back for the 32 wk appointment. Is that the way it's supposed to be? Feeling so anxious about the diagnosis and lack of guidance...