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Friday, July 30, 2021

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Diagnosis GD Basics

Diagnosing gestational diabetes

13th February 201623rd May 2021 Jo Paterson 2178 Views gestational diabetes risk factors, GTT, HSE Guidelines, NICE Guidelines, SIGN Guidelines, stillbirth

Diagnosing gestational diabetes In this post I share risk factors and methods of diagnosing gestational diabetes in the United Kingdom

Induction of labour

Birth GD Basics

Induction

4th September 201519th March 2019 Jo Paterson 2837 Views birth, HSE Guidelines, induction, informed decision making, NICE Guidelines, SIGN Guidelines, stretch and sweep, sweep, timing and mode of birth

Induction of labour In order for a baby to be born the cervix (neck of the uterus) has to shorten,

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We all want to control gestational diabetes with d

We all want to control gestational diabetes with diet alone, but unfortunately some of will need extra help AND THAT’S OK 👍🏻
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Please don’t sit in silence struggling with higher than target blood glucose levels for too long 😖
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A general rule of thumb used in many clinics is 3 or more higher than target levels since you last had your readings reviewed by your team 🔴🔴🔴
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Just touch base with them and see what they say. It doesn’t necessarily mean they will start you on meds/insulin, they may be able to give you more support before that is needed 📞
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However if you are advised to start Metformin or insulin please don’t feel bad, or guilty. Some of us no matter what we do WILL need that extra help. No one wants to take medications in pregnancy, but just like some of us needing iron tablets due to being anaemic, this is no different 🤷🏻‍♀️
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BE KIND TO YOURSELF 💜
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This also applies if you are currently on meds/insulin but continue to see over target levels. It can often take a lot of tweaking of doses before the benefit is seen and many will need to chase their levels with increased doses. The sooner you can lower and stabilise your blood glucose levels, the better, so please don’t sit in silence 🤐
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#GDUK #GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #DiabeticMum #GestationalDiabetesDiet #GDPregnancy #DiabeticPregnancy #DiabetesInPregnancy #HighRiskPregnancy #GlucoseToleranceTest #GDDiagnosis #BloodGlucose #BloodSugar #BloodGlucoseLevels #BloodSugarLevels #HighBloodGlucose #HighBloodGlucoseLevels #HighBloodSugar #HighBloodSugars #HighBloodSugarLevels #BloodSugarRollercoaster #Insulin #Basal #Bolus #FastActingInsulin #SlowReleaseInsulin #Metformin

Sooo many Mummas have fed back that they are fed u

Sooo many Mummas have fed back that they are fed up with their partners, family, friends and colleagues questioning or judging what they are eating since being diagnosed with gestational diabetes
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Everyone seems to be a bloody expert!...
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❓”Should you really be eating all that fat?”
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❗️”All that cheese can’t be healthy!”
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‼️”no wonder you have diabetes!”
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⁉️”my Dad’s diabetic and he can eat what he likes”
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❗️”when I had GD I just took insulin and could eat most things”
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⁉️ “just have one bite, it won’t hurt you!”
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❓”I think you’re taking this GD diet too far”
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So I’ve created this meme for any of you who wish to share 🤣
I hope it helps 😬 Jo 💜
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[photo credit to babyology.com.au]
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#GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GestationalDiabetes #pregnancy #PissedOffAndPregnant #EveryonesAnExpert #pregnant #PregnancyDiabetes #HighRiskPregnancy #MumToBe #PregnantMummy #Preggo #Preggers #MamaToBe #InstaPregnancy #BabyOnBoard #PregnantLife #BellyBump #FutureMama #Mother #Mummy #Mama #MummyToBe #BabyOnTheWay #Bump #DiabeticPregnancy #Mom #Mammy #Birth #GestationalDiabetesSucks

If you saw my post the other day, you’ll see tha

If you saw my post the other day, you’ll see that we went to a local PYO fruit farm @borderberries and I asked my boys what new low-carb, GD recipe I should create with some of the strawberries and Finlay my 6 year old shouted ‘Strawberry Cupcakes’

This is the end result, low-carb, sugar-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and vegetarian Strawberry Cupcakes 🍓🧁

These cupcakes will work well plain as a sweet breakfast, or add some Strawberry whipped cream and they are great for picnics, tea parties, BBQs and special occasions too. Sweet vanilla sponge, with chunks of strawberry, absolutely delicious for Summertime ☀️

This recipe is now live as a new membership recipe for all GD UK Bronze & Silver members @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/strawberry-cupcakes/

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#JosGDRecipes #JosGDBakes #GDUKMembershipRecipe #TodaysMealOnTheWall #MealOnTheWall #StrawberryCupcakes #LowCarbCupcakes #SugarFreeCupcakes #LowCarbStrawberryCupcakes #SugarfreeStrawberryCupcakes #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesUKMums #GDUK #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetesDiet #GestationalDiabetesFood #LowCarbSnacks #LowCarbBreakfast #GDFoodPairing #8GoldenRules #HaveYourCakeAndEatItToo #DiabeticRecipes #DiabeticCake #PregnancyDiabetes #Type2Pregnancy #PregnantDiabetic #TeamGDUK

HIGH FASTING LEVELS Fasting levels are THE HARDES

HIGH FASTING LEVELS

Fasting levels are THE HARDEST levels to control
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The dawn phenomenon is one of the typical causes of high fasting levels and it is completely out of our control
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The dawn phenomenon occurs when the body releases hormones in the early hours of the morning (hence ‘dawn’) in ALL people, diabetic and non-diabetic. These hormones cause blood sugar levels to rise, giving the body a boost and wake up call to start the day. This can typically happen anywhere between 3am and 8am
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In people with diabetes (including those diagnosed with gestational diabetes) not enough insulin is produced, or insulin is not able to be used effectively enough in order to process this boost in glucose, resulting in high fasting levels
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It’s very hard to control fasting levels. I have a few tips here which are worth trying, but if these do not work then it’s best to discuss high fasting levels with your diabetes team as they will be able to support you with medication such as Metformin and/or insulin. Remember, it is not your fault if you need that bit of extra help and even when on meds/insulin it can still take a lot of playing around with these tips and titrating doses to try to keep levels lowered and stable
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To read the full post, please swipe up in the Instagram stories or visit:
https://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/high-fasting-levels/
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#dawnphenomenon #fastinglevels #highfastinglevels #fastingbloodglucose #fastingbloodsugar #A1c #HbA1c #bloodglucose #bloodsugars #gestationaldiabetesproblems #gestationaldiabetespregnancy #diabeticpregnancy #pregnantdiabetic #gestationaldiabetes #type2diabetes #MODY #LADA #type2pregnancy #pregnantwithdiabetes #Metformin #Insulin #basalinsulin #gestationaldiabetessucks #gestationaldiabetessupport #gduk #gdukmums #gestationaldiabetesuk #gestationaldiabetesukmums #teamgduk
#damnhormones

You’re walking in the right direction. Just keep

You’re walking in the right direction. Just keep walking 🤍
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#GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GestationalDiabetes #pregnancy #pregnant #PregnancyDiabetes #HighRiskPregnancy #MumToBe #PregnantMummy #Preggo #Preggers #MamaToBe #InstaPregnancy #BabyOnBoard #PregnantLife #BellyBump #FutureMama #Mother #Mummy #Mama #MummyToBe #BabyOnTheWay #Bump #DiabeticPregnancy #Mom #Mammy #Birth #PregnancyComplications #PregnancyProblems #Motivation

Following my post yesterday on strawberries, here

Following my post yesterday on strawberries, here is an infographic showing you some other lower carb fruits which are generally tolerated much better than others:
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🍓🫐strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, tayberries, gooseberries, blackberries, red currants & blackcurrants
🍒 cherries
🥝 kiwi fruits
🍋 lemons, limes & grapefruits (although please check that you are safe to eat grapefruit if you are taking any medications as it can interact with certain meds)
🍏 Granny Smith apples (specifically this variety as they are much less sweet than other varities)
🥣Rhubarb
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Start with small servings of fruit & treat it as the only carb on the plate ie. do not add additional carbs with fruit as it can be difficult to determine which carbs are causing problems & easily cause a high carb snack/meal without realising
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As always #NeverEatANakedCarb this means pairing the fruit with something high in natural fat & protein. By doing this it slows down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, slowing gastric emptying & results in a much flatter & controlled blood glucose response (a much lower spike in levels)
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You can use whichever pairing foods you like, but I’ve shared ones that people tend to enjoy with fruit the most. Ideally eat the pairing food before the fruit or at the same time to maximise the effect it has on flattening the glucose spike eg. dip strawberries in real cream or full fat Greek yogurt, or dip slices of Granny Smith apple into peanut butter, or eat some nuts & seeds followed by the fruit
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Start with small servings of fruit with plenty of pairing and then test after one hour to see how well you have tolerated the fruit (NICE recommend <7.8mmol/L one hour after eating). Depending on the result, you can then either decrease the amount of fruit & increase the pairing food to achieve lower levels the next time, or if you get nice low levels you know you can increase the amount of fruit slightly next time
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Note: not all will tolerate all the suggested fruits here, but they are much better options (when paired) than other higher carb fruits such as mango, pineapple, ripe banana, grapes & dried fruits (AKA sugar bullets!! 🍇)
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#GDFoodPairing

Summertime means beautiful locally grown strawberr

Summertime means beautiful locally grown strawberries 🍓 🍓🍓🍓🍓
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Some of you may be concerned about eating something that tastes as sweet as strawberries with diabetes, but actually strawberries, berries & cherries are low carb fruits. They are both low GI (glycemic index) and have a low GL (glucose load). Due to their high water content and fibre, it means these naturally sweet fruits don’t spike blood sugar levels as high as some other fruit
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To help reduce spikes in blood sugar when eating strawberries try ‘pairing them’ by adding some REAL cream (double, whipping, clotted, coconut, or soy cream) the natural fats in these creams will help slow and flatten the spike in blood sugar levels making them the perfect sweet treat morning, noon or night 👌🏻
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Other nutritional benefits of strawberries:
🍓 rich in vitamin c which boosts the immune system & is essential for collagen building (collagen is a protein that helps build babies bones, cartilage & skin)
🍓 good source of fibre which helps reduce postprandial blood glucose levels & encourages healthy bowel movements
🍓 rich in antioxidants which help reduce inflammation & act as a prebiotic in the gut
🍓 a source of folic acid which helps prevent birth defects
🍓 low in calories which is beneficial if you need to follow a low cal diet for other dietary reasons
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Yesterday we went to our local PYO (pick your own) fruit farm @borderberries it was a great morning out. The boys learned about where the fruit comes from, helped pick it, ate a ton, and had plenty of exercise out in the fresh air. We picked strawberries, gooseberries & fresh peas (we already have raspberries, redcurrants, cherries & rhubarb in our garden at home) so watch this space for some new recipes coming soon!
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Why not find out if you have a local PYO farm and make the most of this beautiful weather and some of the best British/Irish produce there is and support your local farmers too 🚜 💚
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#GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesDiet #8GoldenRules #GDFoodPairing #DiabetesInPregnancy #PregnancyDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesSucks #Type2Pregnancy #LowCarb #LowGI #LowGL #strawberries #PYO #BordersBerries #LowCarbFruit

Symptoms of gestational diabetes… ⠀ It is very

Symptoms of gestational diabetes…
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It is very common for NO symptoms to be present with gestational diabetes and this is why many ladies feel that they can’t possibly have gestational diabetes after receiving a positive result and struggle to come to terms with the diagnosis
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Some women may experience some symptoms such as:
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🤕Headaches
😶‍🌫️Blurred vision
🥵Feeling thirsty
😵‍💫Feeling shaky or unsteady
🤢Nauseous when needing to eat
🥴Urinating more frequently
🥱Tiredness
🤒Recurrent infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and thrush
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You will notice that many of these symptoms are common during a normal pregnancy and so it is hard to determine if they are due to gestational diabetes or just pregnancy itself until a glucose tolerance test is performed or blood glucose levels are monitored
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If you have any of the above symptoms you should enquire about being tested for gestational diabetes 📞👩🏽‍⚕️
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Read more @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/diagnosing-gestational-diabetes/
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Can the heat affect your blood glucose levels if y

Can the heat affect your blood glucose levels if you have gestational diabetes? YES!

Here are a few things you should know...
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💧🥤Stay hydrated! If you become dehydrated you run the risk of higher blood glucose levels & ketones
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😎 Keep your kit cool! Insulin, test strips & your blood glucose monitor can all be affected by extreme temperatures. It is best to keep testing equipment & insulin out of direct sunlight & hot conditions
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😖 Increased risk of hypos for mothers who use insulin as heat can increase the absorption of some fast-acting insulins
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👀⛔️ Signs that’s insulin has been heat damaged & should be disposed of:
•cloudy insulin may look grainy & stick to the sides of the glass in the insulin pen
•clear insulin may become cloudy
•insulin may turn brownish in colour
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⏰ 🍓🥜 Try to eat little & often! Many do not feel like eating much in warmer weather, but going long periods of time without eating means BG levels drop low then the liver dumps glucose into the bloodstream causing spikes. The best way to stabilise BG levels is to keep eating little & often (ideally 3 meals & 3 snacks a day)
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🧢🧴 Stay sun safe! Wear a hat, spf sun lotion, avoid sitting out at the hottest part of the day & don’t over do it! People with diabetes are at higher risk of heat exhaustion
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www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/gestational-diabetes-heat/
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#Hypo #Hypos #FalseHypo #FalseHypos #BePrepared #HypoKit #DrinkMoreWater #StaySunSafe #StayHydrated #EatLittleAndOften #Insulin #CheckYourInsulin #KeepYourTestKitCool
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Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well and en

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying some glorious sunshine? (without melting if you’re currently heavily pregnant 🥵) We’re back after a wonderful break at @forestholidays Deerpark, Cornwall. The journey down from Scotland to Cornwall wasn’t too bad, 9hrs with one stop at services. It was a bit rainy for a few days but we made the most of it and the boys had a fantastic time with Ranger Tom from Forest Holidays, doing pond/stream dipping and then an adventure walk which included map reading, foraging & shelter building. Tom was fab with our boys: Mackinley (13), Finlay (6) and Brodie (3). So if you get the chance to go and book these activities they are really really worth it! The hot tub was also a huge hit (the boys were in it every single day. Considering it was supposed to be a relaxing adult treat, Gavin has a sprained ankle which gets worse in hot water, so I only made it in twice and that was with my sugar babies with me splashing around. Not the relaxing & romantic hot tub I had planned 💦 😝)
We had some lovely days out at @newquayzoo @thecornishsealsanctuary @looecornwall @perranporthcornwall
and a lovely meal in the garden @jamaicainncornwall
Our journey home was the worst part, 13 hours 😩😵‍💫🥱 due to heavy traffic and some incidents on the M5 and M6.
And that’s that…back home and back at it! I need a holiday 🤣
I’ll be trawling through my inboxes, but please feel free to give me a nudge if you messaged/emailed and are waiting on a reply. Much love, Jo Gestational Diabetes UK Founder xx
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Please note: this is not an ad or paid partnership. I did not receive any promotion/discount/financial gain for mentioning any of the places we stayed or visited on our hol, just simply sharing the lovely holiday we had and some lovely places & experiences xx

Morning everyone! Just a quick note to let you kno

Morning everyone! Just a quick note to let you know that I’m finally away on holiday for a lovely break with my family that we booked back in 2019 but had to move because of Covid. We are so excited!
As always, making the most of the Scottish schools breaking up earlier than England, I’m coming home 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 well, not home home (not Cambs, sorry Mum, Dad & my big sisters - we will see each other again one day!), but down to England for a lovely holiday in Cornwall ☀️
So I’ll not be on here much as I’ll try to have a bit of break from the world of GD to spend some much needed quality time with my boys 💚❤️💙💚
My wonderful Facebook admin team are looking after the FB groups for me 💞 so please remember you have those wonderful ladies to help & support you if you need it @ www.facebook.com/groups/GestationalDiabetesUKMums and @ www.facebook.com/GDUKMums

Speak soon, over and out, Jo 💜

It was 7 years ago today that I set up Gestational

It was 7 years ago today that I set up Gestational Diabetes UK Facebook group and it’s amazing to see how far it’s come and how many people with gestational diabetes it’s helped along the way! I wonder how many GD UK sugar babies are out there now 🤔
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Happy Birthday Gestational Diabetes UK 🎉
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#HappyBirthday #Happy7thBirthday #7thAnniversary
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Quick & easy lunchtime inspiration, GD-friendly Pe

Quick & easy lunchtime inspiration, GD-friendly Pesto Pizza:
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•tortilla wrap
•pesto
•dried oregano
•grated cheddar
•grated mozzarella
•ricotta
•chopped cherry tomatoes
•fresh basil
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Check out the recipe and chart comparing lots of different tortilla wraps so you can find the best ones @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/gd-friendly-pizza/ or use the link in bio to find the recipe index
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I’ve tweaked the basic ground almond pancakes re

I’ve tweaked the basic ground almond pancakes recipe. It was a recipe I made years ago in my 2nd pregnancy and I’ve since developed my baking knowledge somewhat to know how to improve taste & texture

Go try out this updated version and enjoy a weekend brunch!

https://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/basic-ground-almond-pancakes/

#AlmondPancakes #LowCarbPancakes #JosGDRecipes #TodaysMealOnTheWall #MealOnTheWall #Brunch #LowCarbBreakfast #LowCarbBrunch #BasicGroundAlmondPancakes #BlueberryAndAlmondPancakes #SugarFreePancakes #GlutenFreePancakes #GestationalDiabetes #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesUKMums #Type2Pregnancy #DiabeticPregnancy

Stop and take 30 seconds to release some tension f

Stop and take 30 seconds to release some tension from your body 💖 Did it help?

Posted @withregram • @mellow.doodles

#breathe #anxietyrelief #calmyourmind #GDUKMums #gestationaldiabetes

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5th June 20215th June 2021 Jo Paterson

The big question, is gestational diabetes misdiagnosis possible? YES. Gestational diabetes misdiagnosis can happen. However, since setting up my Facebook

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