Pregnant Charlotte Dawson says she is ‘struggling’ amid gestational diabetes

Charlotte Dawson has said that she is ‘struggling mentally’ after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

The Ex On The Beach star, 28, who is 32 weeks pregnant, spoke about her pregnancy on Thursday’s episode of Steph’s Packed Lunch.

Charlotte explained that due to changing her diet to adhere to her gestational diabetes diagnosis, she is missing comfort food and her usual treats.

Struggling: Charlotte Dawson has said that she is 'struggling mentally' after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes

Struggling: Charlotte Dawson has said that she is ‘struggling mentally’ after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes

The daughter of late comedian Les Dawson added that she is ‘just so worried’ about doing anything to her unborn child, she is expecting a baby boy with fiancé Matthew Sarsfield, and of anything happening to him. 

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects pregnant women, usually during the second or third trimester. It can affect people who didn’t have diabetes before their pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth.  

It occurs when the hormones produced during pregnancy make it difficult for your body to use insulin properly, putting you at an increased risk of insulin resistance.

Charlotte told Dr Sophie Newton: ‘I am struggling mentally with everything. It’s mentally draining, feeling like this.’

Candid: The Ex On The Beach star, 28, who was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, candidly discussed how she has had to change her diet

Candid: The Ex On The Beach star, 28, who was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, candidly discussed how she has had to change her diet

Hard adjustment: Charlotte explained that due to changing her diet to adhere to her gestational diabetes diagnosis, she is missing comfort food and her usual treats

Hard adjustment: Charlotte explained that due to changing her diet to adhere to her gestational diabetes diagnosis, she is missing comfort food and her usual treats

Talking about having to overhaul her diet following her diagnosis, she continued: ‘I think it’s probably getting to me as well, if I’m down I usually have chips and gravy… and I can’t!

‘I’m just so worried about doing anything to the baby, that’s what I’m so worried about, of anything happening to him.’

Charlotte added that having a baby during the global coronavirus pandemic hasn’t been easy.

The star asked Dr Sophie for advice on what snacks she could eat now with gestational diabetes as she admitted she used to snack on Galaxy Minstrels. 

Fears: The daughter of late comedian Les Dawson added that she is 'just so worried' about doing anything to her unborn child and of anything happening to him

Fears: The daughter of late comedian Les Dawson added that she is ‘just so worried’ about doing anything to her unborn child and of anything happening to him 

Dr Sophie advised Charlotte to ditch the chocolate treat for fruit and vegetables, she also encouraged her to exercise to help control her blood sugar and mental health.

Charlotte sweetly gave her support to any other struggling mothers-to-be or anyone else who has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

She said: ‘If any of my fellow preggo birds have just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I just want to give you a big snuggle. 

‘I know we’re not allowed to cuddle right now – but come here you! I just want to say, we’ve got this girls, we need to be positive and just rock this gestational diabetes!’

Struggles: The mum-to-be recently revealed she is feeling 'petrified and drained' as she battles gestational diabetes during her pregnancy (pictured last month)

Struggles: The mum-to-be recently revealed she is feeling ‘petrified and drained’ as she battles gestational diabetes during her pregnancy (pictured last month) 

Earlier this week, Charlotte spoke about her pregnancy with Closer magazine and her recent gestational diabetes diagnosis.

The reality star admitted: ‘At first, I thought it was all my fault as all I do is eat bad food. 

‘I was worried people were going to say, “I told you so” because I’ve been eating chips and gravy for most of my life. 

Glow: Charlotte is set to welcome her first child, a baby boy, with fiancé Matthew Sarsfield

Glow: Charlotte is set to welcome her first child, a baby boy, with fiancé Matthew Sarsfield

‘But it can come on with pregnancy, it’s all quite scary but now I realise how common it is.’ 

Charlotte, who says she has always been freaked out by needles, admitted she had to completely change her diet. 

She admitted that once the baby is born, she will ‘be straight to McDonald’s’ as gestational diabetes generally goes away after birth. 

Steph’s Packed Lunch continues on weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4.  

WHAT IS GESTATIONAL DIABETES?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects pregnant women, usually during the second or third trimester.

Women with gestational diabetes do not have diabetes before their pregnancy. It usually goes away after the birth.

It occurs when the hormones produced during pregnancy make it difficult for your body to use insulin properly, putting you at an increased risk of insulin resistance.

Treatment focuses on managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise and sometimes medication.

Women can significantly reduce their risk of developing gestational diabetes by managing their weight, eating healthily and keeping active.

Figures estimate one in five women will develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. 

Source: Diabetes UK

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