Ep. 2: Surviving the first week

If you’ve just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the first week can feel like emotional whiplash. In this episode, Celia is joined by Naomi - an experienced midwife, mum, and fellow gestational diabetes graduate - to talk honestly about what those early days really look like.

Together, they explore the shock and grief that can follow diagnosis, the feeling that your pregnancy has suddenly changed shape, and the pressure many women feel to “get it right” immediately. Naomi shares practical, compassionate guidance on what usually happens next in the healthcare system, how to avoid common early pitfalls, and why perfection is not the goal in those first weeks.

This conversation is grounded, reassuring, and full of gentle reminders that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, to ask questions, and to take things one step at a time. If you’re in the thick of those early days - or supporting someone who is - this episode is for you.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Naomi’s personal experience of being diagnosed with gestational diabetes as a midwife
• The emotional impact of diagnosis, including grief, denial, and self-blame
• What typically happens in the first week after diagnosis and who you may be referred to
• Why restricting food isn’t the answer
• How to advocate for yourself and ask for the support you need
• Why every gestational diabetes journey looks different, and why comparison rarely helps
• Gentle, practical advice for getting through the first couple of weeks without burning out

Resources & links mentioned:

• Follow Gestie on Instagram → @heygestie 
• The Gestie resource guide to get you started → click here
• National Diabetes Services Scheme - NDSS Australia website

About the guest

Naomi is a midwife and mum to a two-year-old boy, with both professional and lived experience of gestational diabetes. Diagnosed during her own pregnancy, Naomi brings a rare blend of clinical insight and deep empathy to conversations around pregnancy, diagnosis, and maternal mental load. She is passionate about helping women feel informed, supported, and safe - especially during moments that can feel overwhelming or out of their control.

Transcript

This transcript was auto-generated and lightly edited for clarity.

Gestie:
You’re listening to Gestie - a podcast for women navigating gestational diabetes.

Celia:
It’s Celia here, your host. Like many of you, I’m a mum who has experienced gestational diabetes firsthand. Today, we’re talking about how to survive that very first week after diagnosis.

Before I introduce our guest, just a gentle reminder that while we share a lot of helpful information on this podcast, this is not a substitute for medical advice. Always check in with your healthcare team.

Today’s guest is an incredible midwife, mum to a gorgeous two-year-old boy, and a card-carrying member of the gestational diabetes alumni. Welcome, Naomi.

Naomi:
Thanks for having me - what an intro!

Celia:
We’ve known each other for… more years than I want to count.

Naomi:
Fourteen years.

Celia:
Yes. And I had the honour of having you as my unofficial, adopted midwife. Anyone who has a midwife in their friendship circle has won the lottery. I fully expect this again for round two.

Naomi:
Couldn’t think of anything better.

Celia:
Do you want to share a bit about your experience of being diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

Naomi:
I was diagnosed in 2023. Everything about the pregnancy felt normal. I actually declined an early glucose tolerance test because I had a gut feeling I might have gestational diabetes - and I think part of me was in denial.

I did my test after my baby shower and found out that day my levels were very high. I went straight onto insulin. There was no adjustment period, no time to process - just straight into management.

Celia:
That’s really different to most people’s experience.

Naomi:
Yes. I think given how high my levels were and how far along I was, the medical team decided that was the safest option.

When I found out, I cried - a lot. Not because I blamed myself, but because my pregnancy suddenly felt like it wasn’t mine anymore. It became something to manage, something medicalised. There was grief in that.

And I think women need to hear this: it’s okay to fall apart. It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to need reassurance that it’s not your fault - because it’s not.

Celia:
I really relate to that. I didn’t fully come to terms with my diagnosis until I’d been monitoring for a while and could see the patterns myself.

Naomi:
Absolutely. And I think many symptoms get minimised in pregnancy. Fatigue, feeling unwell - you’re often told it’s normal. But when your blood sugars are high, of course you’re not going to feel okay.

For me, getting diagnosed and treated probably saved my life. As hard as it was, I’m grateful for it now.

Celia:
What should someone expect practically in that first week after diagnosis?

Naomi:
Typically, your care provider will refer you to a diabetes team. You’ll likely have appointments with diabetes educators and a dietitian. You’ll learn how to use your glucometer, when to test, and how to record your results.

My biggest encouragement is to ask questions early. Ask what support is available. Ask who you can speak to. Information is empowering - but you’re not expected to know everything straight away.

Celia:
I really wish I’d known that earlier. I kind of waited for information to come to me.

Naomi:
I need to say this clearly: do not restrict food.

You are pregnant. You need to eat. Do not cut calories, do not avoid fruit, do not punish yourself. This is not your fault, and your body needs nourishment.

In the first couple of weeks, we’re looking for trends - not perfection. This is about learning how your body responds and gently adjusting.

Celia:
And tracking context helps too - stress, sleep, movement, workdays. It’s not just food.

Naomi:
Every gestational diabetes experience is different. Please don’t try to copy what someone else is doing online. Follow advice tailored to your body and pregnancy.

Comparison can be really unhelpful.

Celia:
Yes - some people can tolerate foods others can’t at all. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Naomi:
And be mindful of who you tell. Not everyone needs to know. Well-meaning comments can sometimes add guilt or confusion.

If something doesn’t make sense, ask. Ask again if you need to. That’s our job as healthcare professionals - to explain things in a way that works for you.

Naomi:
Think about how you’re going to manage all this information. Set aside small pockets of time. Learn one thing at a time.

This is a steep learning curve, and pregnancy brain is real. Be kind to yourself.

Build a support plan. Figure out who your people are. You don’t have to do this alone.

Celia:
I really hope this episode helps anyone who’s right at the beginning of this journey.

If you have questions you want us to follow up on, leave them in the comments. We’ll link helpful resources in the show notes.

Naomi:
You’ve got this. One finger prick at a time.