My experience with Gestational Diabetes
Finding out you have Gestational Diabetes (GD) can feel like a mountain has suddenly appeared in the middle of your pregnancy, especially when you feel like you’re already doing "all the right things."
I want to share my personal journey through a GD diagnosis, not just as a practitioner, but as a mum who has sat in those hospital waiting rooms, felt the sting of the finger pricks, and grappled with the anxiety of "what comes next." My hope is that by sharing my story, you feel less alone and more empowered to advocate for the birth and support you deserve.
When "knowing better" doesn't change the diagnosis
I was in my third year of my Naturopathy degree when I fell pregnant. Life was, in a word, chaotic. We were in the beginning of COVID lock-downs and un-certainity, we were moving house, and we decided to go ahead with our wedding when I was 20 weeks pregnant to avoid the risk of another lockdown… my stress levels were through the roof. But stress is a funny thing and I didn’t really feel ‘stressed’ at the time. Looking back now though (because hindsight is so helpful) I had no down time and was constantly juggling priorities.
When my oral glucose test came back positive for GD, it felt like a massive blow to my confidence. I felt like a failure. I was almost a qualified Naturopath, I felt like I should have "known better" or been able to prevent it.
On top of that, I now had new fears to add to my list. I believe education is a powerful tool, but the education I received from the hospital was focused heavily on the risks to my baby, with no support or strategies to improve blood sugars. I had been preparing for a birth with low interventions, and it now felt like this was even further away.
Beyond the glucose monitor
I did what I was told: I tracked my blood sugars four times a day, emailed my results weekly, and attended the education session with the dietitian.
This was my first major disappointment. Having spent years studying nutrition, the advice felt incredibly basic. It didn't account for the complexity of the human body, there was no mention of how sleep, stress, or exercise played a role in my numbers.
Despite my best efforts with diet, my fasting levels remained high. I was frustrated that I was doing everything right, but that I couldn’t budge that one number. Eventually, I was put on insulin, which still didn’t help. After my own research I pushed back on my health care team and asked if I could try Metformin - which worked really well for my fasting blood sugars. But, I was so frustrated that this small change finally improved the one measure that the doctors were so concerned about, but I was the one to suggest it.
Advocacy and the pressure to induct
As my due date approached, the pressure for medical induction mounted. Even though my daughter, Abby, was growing well and I had not gained ‘more weight’ than what was considered safe, the hospital pushed hard because of the GD diagnosis.
I managed to push it back by a week, but eventually, I relented. I didn't go into my birth as calm as I had envisioned; my anxiety was high. However, Abby arrived healthy, with minimal interventions, and with no weight or growth concerns.
What I know now & what I wish I’d done differently
Looking back with the benefit of hindsight and clinical experience, I see my pregnancy through a different lens. If I could go back and talk to that version of myself, here is what I would say:
Sleep is a pillar of metabolic health: My biggest challenge was sleep, driven by high stress and anxiety. I wish I had prioritised my nervous system as much as I prioritised my diet.
You don't have to do this alone: I arrogantly thought I could treat myself because of my training. I didn't give myself the justice of an objective, supportive practitioner.
The right support is everything: Whether it’s specific nutrients, herbal support, a private midwife, or a doula to help you navigate hospital protocols, having a team that sees you (not just your blood sugar) makes a world of difference.
It’s not your fault: GD is strongly linked to the placenta, but it can also be a "stress test" for your underlying metabolic health. It was a sign that my body needed more support, not that I had failed.
Empowering Your Journey
If you have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, please know that you are not a failure. Your body is doing something incredible, and sometimes it just needs a little extra support. You have the right to ask questions, to seek deeper nutritional advice, and to look at your health through a holistic lens that includes your mental and emotional well-being.
You are your own best advocate, and you deserve a support team that empowers you to feel confident in your body again.
