As `` Real Housewives of New Jersey '' star Teresa Giudice faces a 15-month prison term that 's set to start in January , it 's no surprise she 's also been dealing with `` sleepless nights . '' The reality star and her husband , Joe Giudice , were sentenced Thursday to serve time after pleading guilty in March to numerous federal fraud charges . Teresa Giudice will serve a 15-month sentence . Joe received a 41-month sentence and also faces the possibility of deportation since he 's not a U.S. citizen . 'Real Housewives of New Jersey ' stars Teresa and Joe Giudice sentenced . On Monday night , both Giudices sat down with Bravo 's Andy Cohen for the first part of an interview featured on Cohen 's `` Watch What Happens Live . '' When Teresa Giudice was asked about her reaction to the October 2 sentencing , she could hardly find the words to express how it has affected her , and how she fears it will affect her family . `` I was so nervous . ... At one point , I could n't even move my fingers , '' Giudice recalled . `` My nerves were shot . I 've had sleepless nights . I was shocked . It was very unexpected . I do n't even know what to say . '' In March , the reality housewife and her husband pleaded guilty to hiding assets from bankruptcy court and conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud , among other charges . In hindsight , Teresa Giudice says , she 's learned a lesson . `` I do need to read things before I sign them . I do need to understand things before I sign them , '' she told Cohen . `` I 'm a trustworthy person , and sometimes I take what other people say and I just believe them and I trust them . I ca n't do that anymore ; I 've got to make sure I fully understand something . '' Giudice is expected to begin her sentence on January 5 ; once she 's served her time , her husband is expected to begin his own stretch . The sentences were staggered to ensure the couple 's four daughters have a caretaker . Being away from her kids , Giudice told Cohen , is what scares her most about prison -- more than the lockup itself . `` I just think about my daughters , '' the 42-year-old said . `` That 's all I think about . I just want to make sure that my daughters are OK. '' According to Giudice , their eldest , Gia , 13 , has become her support system . `` She was being strong for me , I could tell , '' Giudice said . `` She was like 'Mommy , do n't worry , I 'll be there . I 'll help Daddy with the girls ; that 'll prepare me for when I 'm a mom . ' That broke my heart when she said that . '' She said she has only one request of Joe : `` All I said to my husband was , 'All you have to do is take care of our daughters , ' '' she said . `` 'That 's all I ask . You 've got to do what I do . ' ''
Teresa and Michael also spoke about their recent sentencing with Bravo 's Andy Cohen . Di Giudice said she was shocked by the court 's decision . She did share the support she 's received from Di Gia .