Cookbook for Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects around 4-5% of pregnancies in the UK.
Black women are at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes.
If you have gestational diabetes, the chances of having problems with your pregnancy can be reduced by controlling your blood sugar levels through a change in diet. However, if these changes don't lower your blood sugar levels enough, medicine will be recommended.
A change in diet can be really hard, we’ve got you and something to help.
We’re delighted to share this recipe book packed full of recipes particularly suitable for women and birthing people who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes that are keen to retain a bit of seasoning in their diet.
This cookbook is part of a south east London project carried out by Laura Bridle. Laura worked closely with Pauline Cross, Consultant Midwife for Public Health in Lewisham Council, Toyin Adeyinka, Lewisham Maternity Voice Partnership Chair, Caron Gooch, Specialist Midwife for diabetes, Gwenda Scott, and Lakhvinder Matharu, both dieticians, and women with lived experience.
As a Black person you should be offered testing between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. If you've had gestational diabetes before, you'll be offered a test earlier in your pregnancy, soon after your booking appointment, then another at 24 to 28 weeks if the first test is normal.
While the condition itself nearly always goes away once the baby has been born, having gestational diabetes can increase the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes.
Reassuringly, early diagnosis of diabetes and timely intervention and follow up screening can significantly reduce long-term complications.
Receiving a diagnosis can be overwhelming and come with shock, guilt and fear. Please be kind to yourself. Gestational diabetes occurs in many different ‘types’ of pregnancy and ALL birthers have increased insulin resistance in pregnancy. Members of our community have found Gestational Diabetes UK informative and supportive.