Gestational diabetes - if you had it what were your symptoms?

**RuthK** · 13-09-2005 15:04

Girls

I'm nearly 25 weeks and have put on 4 kilos in the past 2 weeks! I'm quite slim so can tell it's not weight. I'm exercising heaps and running around after 2 toddlers, and because I'm still very nauseous, am not eating much.

However, my rings became too tight very suddenly last weekend end I feel very fluidy.

The doctor is checking my blood pressure tomorrow.

In the interim, if anyone has had this, can they tell me what their symptoms were?

R

**TwoBlue** · 13-09-2005 15:17

I had GD in my first pregnancy and found my two strongest symptoms were extreme fatigue and being really, really thirsty all the time (almost impossible to quench my thirst...)

**BJelly** · 13-09-2005 15:34

I didn't really get any symptoms, I think I used to get more of a "buzz" after eating sweet things - I can't really describe it.

**nkenward** · 13-09-2005 17:47

I think the symptoms are very similar to that of diabetes. You would probably have a great thirst, and would need to go to the toilet more often (more often than you do already). I think other one is getting headaches.

As you described weight gain, and fluid retention - I think this is quite normal during pregnany. I have started getting swollen ankles which I think is related to that as well - my rings though still fit.

Its probably best to just ask your doctor about your concerns. Not to alarm you cause I am not 100% sure, one sign of swelling can lead to pre-eclampsia I think. But with that there are other symptoms to go with that too - ie: high blood pressure.

I think overall just confirm with your doctor.

**Rocksand** · 13-09-2005 18:30

Hi RuthK
I have been recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Generally it starts from around week 26 onwards.

My symptoms were:
fatigue
thirst
going to the toilet lots
dry mouth
aching legs
weight loss

Weight gain is not common to GD, but, I would recommend speaking to your OB/GP as GD needs to be well managed to reduce the impact on you and your baby. They can run blood tests to diagnose and then the treatment ranges from diet and exercise changes through to insulin injections.

Insulin is not always required, in my case I could not get control of my GD without the insulin and I started self injecting yesterday . Surprisingly it is easy to inject yourself when you know that the choice to not do it can mean harm to your unborn bub. The needles are really small and come in a pen device so no syringes etc...

Please seek advice from your health professional to confirm / rule out GD.

Rocksand