A MUM from Little Neston who developed diabetes during pregnancy has raised thousands for charity after boosting her health and fitness.

Cathryn Williams, 37, had to change her diet after developing gestational diabetes during her second pregnancy and had to take medication including insulin injections.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects pregnant women, usually during the second or third trimester. Women with gestational diabetes don’t have diabetes before their pregnancy, and after giving birth it usually goes away.

In some women, diabetes may be diagnosed in the first trimester, and in these cases the condition most likely existed before pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is usually diagnosed through a blood test at 24-28 weeks into pregnancy.

Women who have had the condition in previous pregnancies may be tested earlier. With good management of gestational diabetes, you can increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Having diabetes during pregnancy gave Cathryn the shake she needed to lose weight and address her health for herself and her children.

Cathryn joined WW in October 2017 when her second child was 18 months old.

Cathryn had built up an unhealthy relationship with food but used the WW Freestyle plan as she found it flexible, fitting in around family and a busy lifestyle.

As she was in the process of losing nearly three stone (40lbs), Cathryn decided that setting herself a target was a great incentive.

So she signed up to run a half marathon exactly a year after joining WW.

Cathryn has since gone on to complete the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2018, the London Marathon in April 2019 and has cycled from Prestatyn to Cardiff – a total of 225 miles – over three and a half days.

All three events combined have given Cathryn a great turnaround in her own health and fitness, but also meant she has raised £4,500 for NSPCC.