Hey mamas (and mamas-to-be) 👋
I’m Julija — founder of HIgedi, a community-centered app for navigating gestational diabetes with support, smarter food choices, and a little less overwhelm.
If you’ve ever stared at your blood sugar numbers in confusion, scrolled through endless food lists trying to figure out what’s actually “safe,” or felt like no one really gets what you’re going through — this is for you. Because I’ve been there too.
And it’s exactly why I created HIgedi.
In early 2021, after years of managing PCOS and going through IVF, I was thrilled to be pregnant. Nervous, of course — but full of hope.
Then came the curveball: gestational diabetes.
At just 9 weeks, my fasting blood sugar was flagged. I was thin. I ate well. I had no family history. It didn’t “make sense.” But by week 10, the diagnosis was official. And suddenly, pregnancy felt like a high-stakes math test I hadn’t studied for.
Learning how to manage gestational diabetes felt like navigating a new city without a map — confusing, lonely, and sometimes scary. What could I eat? When should I test? Why was my morning number high even when I did everything right?
Between May and October, I managed gestational diabetes through diet alone. I counted carbs, tracked meals, and stressed over snacks. I read every label, juggled work and food prep, and second-guessed every spike.
And I did it mostly alone.
Yes, I had medical support. Yes, my partner was encouraging. But no one around me truly understood what it felt like to live with this day in, day out. To feel guilty after a slightly sweet apple. To cry over a piece of bread. To feel like your body was betraying you during what’s supposed to be a magical time.
In October, I developed preeclampsia. I was induced at 38 weeks. But on October 21st, my beautiful, healthy “sugar baby” was born — with perfect blood sugar numbers for both of us. That first post-birth ice cream? Bliss.
But even after the baby came, I couldn’t stop thinking about how isolating gestational diabetes had been — and how different it could be.
HIgedi was born in the spring of 2022 out of one simple idea:
What if there was a space where women with gestational diabetes could connect — not just with data, but with each other?
An app that didn’t track meals and blood sugar, but made you feel seen.
Where you could ask, “What’s your go-to breakfast that doesn’t spike?” and actually get answers.
Where sharing a photo of your lunch isn’t just for Instagram — it’s for someone else’s sanity.
Where “me too” matters as much as “mg/dL.”
HIgedi is that space.
The heart of HIgedi is community through food — because managing gestational diabetes is often about what (and when) we eat. But it’s also about so much more:
📲 A space to share meals and snacks that work for you
💬 A supportive feed where you can ask real questions — no judgment
🛒 Product finds and ideas from other 'gestational diabetes mamas' (because grocery shopping shouldn't be overwhelming)
🧠 A collective brain for “does this spike you too?” and “what helps your fasting levels?”
💜 Emotional support from people who get it
And something I’m really excited about as HIgedi continues to grow:
🗺 A map feature to search for other mamas in your area — for local connections and local advice, whether it’s hidden gem grocery finds or gestational diabetes-friendly restaurant recommendations.
This part takes time to grow, but I truly believe it could be a game changer in gestational diabetes management. I remember wishing I had someone nearby to talk to — someone to meet for a (protein-packed) breakfast or a post-meal walk in the park. That kind of support isn’t just nice, it’s powerful.
No ads. No shame. Just real talk, real food, and real women helping each other through.
Gestational diabetes affects more than 1 in 10 pregnancies worldwide. And yet, it can feel like you’re the only one going through it.
But you’re not.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, facing gestational diabetes for the second (or third) time, or just curious about what worked for others — we’re here.
HIgedi is a place where your experience matters. Where you can be honest. Where you can find tips that work in real life, not just in some brochure. Where you don’t have to smile through it or pretend it’s not hard.
Because it is hard. But it’s easier when we do it together.
HIgedi is still growing. It’s not perfect — and that’s okay. Like all of us, it’s a work in progress. But it’s built with love, and your feedback shapes the app, making it a better resource for all of us.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or just plain tired of figuring it all out alone — I invite you to join us.
Share your meals.
Post your wins (and struggles).
Help another mama feel less alone.
If you’re currently pregnant with gestational diabetes or have experienced it in the past and know the hurdles, come join us - download the gestational diabetes app.
Let’s change the gestational diabetes experience — not with fear, but with connection. One meal, one message, one step at a time.
Thanks for being here 💜🫶
— Julija
Founder of HIgedi
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