new GD diagnosis... looking for support

knottiea04adc0df5abace5

Hello! I'm 30 weeks today, and just had high results for 2/4 of my 3 hour GD screen. My doctors haven't called yet so I'm obviously spiraling.

This will be my 3rd child, I'm 37 years old. I had 2 uncomplicated pregnancies/deliveries and this pregnancy was business as usual until now. I'm a lifelong vegetarian, always health conscious. Healthy starting weight and I've gained 10 lbs so far this pregnancy. 

Admittedly I haven't worked out this pregnancy, aside from walking. With a 4 and 5 year old at home, and the first few months we had so many illnesses run through our home that my energy was 0. Since summer started it's been a constant heat wave where we live, and impossible to even get a walk in. I haven't been eating poorly.. but have actually not had much an appetite all pregnancy and at this point when I eat a bite of food I'm so full it's uncomfortable.

I'm so disappointed and feel like I failed this baby, even though I know that by and large there's nothing I could have done to prevent it.

This will be our last baby, and I'm worried that this diagnosis will take away some of my freedom to make decisions and birth on my own terms. I had been hoping to have a water birth due to an uncomfortably long unmedicated birth with my first and a wet tap epidural with my second. Our hospital offers water births (NJ) but I doubt mom's with GD are eligible due to being high risk.

I also have a debilitating fear of needles and faint from blood so I don't know how I'm going to pull myself together to test 4x a day. 

Thanks for listening to me wallow in my self pity. I'm just sad. Anyone who's been there before, if you have words of wisdom, I'd love them! 

knottie74a5ffdbadb9fb92

Hi Momma! 

I was diagnosed with GD with my first pregnancy. And after putting a lot of blame on myself I quickly learned that I (or you) couldn’t have prevented it. It’s absolutely not your fault and you have most definitely not failed your baby. In this case, it’s purely due to yiur placenta! Your placenta is creating hormones that are currently blocking your natural insulin that your body normally produces to maintain your blood sugar. Which is why GD immediately goes away once you give birth. And of course, as your placenta grows in size during your pregnancy, the hormones get stronger. Nothing that a high protein and low carb diet won’t help maintain. But also don’t be super down on yourself if your healthy diet still can’t maintain your sugar levels and that you may need help with insulin. It’s truly only temporary.

when I first found out I was devastated and felt faint at nearly the thought of a needle. But after watching 6 YouTube videos, I finally mustered the courage to do the finger prick, and immediately blurted out, “that’s it?!” I was shocked. And to be honest, it made be feel like a total badass. I’ll admit, I bought a lancing device that was designed for children (Genteel). It came with stickers and everything lol. And you better believe I decked it out in unicorns and hearts! It really wasn’t bad! Even the fear of blood for me was hard at first. But truly, it became easy for me after the first time. I would often close my eyes while I placed my finger on the test strip. But after a few times, it didn’t bother me. And I would also alternate fingers to help. The pinkies were the easiest for me!

trust me, you really do got this! I cannot express it enough. In fact, I commend you for having an unmedicated birth! That alone makes you a super woman.