Large baby and symptoms of very late gestational diabetes...wanted to share experience to help others
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(82 Posts)
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I wanted to share my experience on this subject in order to help anyone experiencing the same symptoms I had/have. I've just found out the answers to my questions at 36 weeks pregnant with my second and last child so it may help someone else in future.
My first pregnancy went well up until the final trimester when I started to feel 'ill' couldn't put my finger on what it was but had urine infections and a general feeling of things not being right. I was constantly exhausted and found it really difficult to move in the final weeks. My midwife and Consultant were not concerned and as my GTT tests had both come back ok and my last scan was fine there was nothing more said. I did however always have consistantly high sugar levels in my urine.
I ended up being induced at 42 weeks and delivered an 11lb 10oz (5.5kg) baby) unfortunately it wasn't straight forward ending in an emergency C-section. As I had a urine infection at the time of the birth I passed the infection to my baby and we both ended up in hospital for 7 days after the birth.
After the event I was given no answers as to why the baby had been so big and was left quite frustrated.
When I got pregnant again in October last year although I was classed as 'high risk' because of my last babies size I wasn't booked in to see a consultant until 34 weeks. As I was concerned about the birth and carrying another big baby I pushed for an earlier appointment. I've had both GTT tests and again they have come back ok...on the high side but under the guidelines. I have still had high levels of sugar in my urine. The pregnancy has followed the same pattern except this time I have been scanned later. The Consultant hasn't really been much help other than ordering extra scans.
Basically what has happened is that I have developed Gestational Diabetes after the last GTT test at 28 weeks and this time I have had indicators such as a furry tongue (white fur and a little sore), I've also had the same urine feelings (not exactly infections but uncomfortable) all caused by excess sugar. I have been feeling rubbish and experiencing lower groin pains, especially when trying to poo
The extra scans have shown the baby is on the same path as the last (98th percentile) but as I am having an elective C section at 38 weeks I hope he will be smaller.
I am lucky that my midwife ordered an extra GTT test the other week which showed up the Diabetes and I am now under the Diabetic team and am having to test and follow a strict diet for the next 12 days. I just wanted to let people know that I have been feeling so much better for the past few days since following a strict no sugar diet, I have some energy and don't feel 'ill' anymore. I wish I had been a little more forceful in trying to find out the reasons for my discomfort but was told at my last Consultant meeting that my symptoms were just those of being pregnant. Having spoken to the Diabetic team everything now seems extremely clear that I have suffered from some form of sugar overload and whilst not diagnosed as Diabetic earlier I would have been helped by following a stricter diet from the start.
As a result of the Diabetes the baby will need extra mionitoring after the birth and I will need to have another GTT test at 6 weeks post birth to check my blood sugar has returned to normal. I'm just glad to have finally found some answers.
Sorry if this is long but I just wanted to make others aware if they are experiencing anything similar.
My gtt 3 weeks ago was at the upper end of normal so I had it repeated today. Over the last 3 weeks I have tried really hard to change my diet and have cut out all of my sugary drinks and snacks. Well today, my reading were low! I'm so chuffed. I realise I'm lucky and for some women no amount of dietry change will do it but it's worth a try if you are still 'normal' but high. The doctor said if I had carried on with my normal diet I would have most probably had even higher readings this time. Good luck to everyone on this thread, and thanks for the advice and inspiration.
Hi Huggy25 - thanks for the info about insulin. I suspect I'll be put on it tomorrow, as I was upped to the maximum Metformin dose last week, and have still had some high readings - probably due to sugars in some of the sauces of things I've eaten. Most annoying! We shall see what the diabetes clinic says...
I had my 34 week scan today, and madam's abdominal area is right on the uppermost level (but still just within range) - although both myself and my husband were 9lb babies - looks like madam is set to repeat family history.. and 9lb babies aren't really catered for, measurement-wise on those charts, annoyingly.
I'm the same as you, diet-wise - not a thing with sugar, or at least, I'm trying my best (things like a cheese and pickle sandwich caught me out, the pickle being so sugary), but I think this last six weeks it's just not happening like it was before. I've followed the GI diet pretty much 99.9% of the time, which is what diabetics tend to follow, which has helped a lot.
I've only just found this website & this particular topic!
I was diagnosed with GD @ 23 weeks, and have been on insulin since 24 weeks (am now 28+6).
Insulin injections are not nice but you do get used to them, especially when they are 4 times a day! I also have to do glucose level tests 7 times a day, and not eat a thing with any sugar which is so hard when my craving since day 1 has been orange juice & pineapples!
The weird thing is though, is that at all of my scans (now having them every 3 weeks), the baby is showing on the smaller side of average which the hospital cant seem to work out.
I dont want anyone else to have to go through all of the tests & appointments I'm going through, but it is good to hear of other people going through similar things & know I'm not alone : )
forever i think either too little or too much fluid can cause problems, but doesnt always. In my case, the risk is PROM and possible anomolies with the baby. however, it can also be caused by the GD.i have to go back next week to talk about delivery and what next. they are not keen for me to still be at work but i only have a week left. just as well, as i dont think i'll be able to drive after that. my seat is as far back as i can safely have it and bump is about 2mm from the wheel!
it must be very frightening to think of delivery so early, but it is good that they are monitoring you so closely. i know of 2 babes delivered at 31 weeks, both are fine, healthy boys now. good luck with your appt on monday.
i'm impressed that the ice cream doesnt mess with sugars ,will try later, will be a real treat! not a big fan of fruit loaf but maybe will try again! i tried some diabetic fudge the other day and it was nice but gave me the runs!!i haven't found anything else as yet but will keep you posted if i do!
Olivio whats the big deal with too much fluid. I have too lettle and been told this is a mojor issue. I will find out on monday what the course of action will be. there was even talk of deliver and i am only 30 weeks
. I am really scared.
GD being controlled with 1 metformin tab every eve. seems to be working and i am being strict with diet. EFW at 30 weeks was 4lb 5oz which is quite big but all in proportion. My bump is quite small due to little fluid. Also i make big babies as I am 6' and DH is taller than me so no concerns regarding growth. DD1 was born 6lb 3oz at 35 weeks!
I am having a c-section because i have placenta previa too
the list goes on. To add something else to the list (why not
) i have had tingling fingers all evening and google says 'carpel tunnel syndrome'.....ho hum
discovered that one scoop of ice cream didn't affect sugars and fruit loaf (which i have never bought before) is a nice sweet fix with little impact on sugars also. Anything 'sweet' that is kind to us that anyone else has discovered??
hello, just been for my next growth scan and the baby is still large, but everything is in proportion. i have even more fluid there though so not so good. they think my sugars are well under control though and not affecting the baby, which is good news.
am still really struggling with the diet but at least it seems to be paying off.
heeeby, have you had your results?
Hi all,
Really good to hear more stories and i agree re large babies, my DD was 9lb 12.5oz and i didn't have GD and her blood sugar was fne at birth.
I have been up and down as i was borderline a few weeks ago (random blood sugar was 6.6) so have tried to be careful but today ahad my 39 weeks check and had +4 glucose in wee and baby is very large for dates.
I had to have another blood test and i should know today, they wanted to rush them through for me. If it comes back as >7 i shall be asking for a growth scan as was told a while ago that if i am borderline GD then it might be why baby is big. My 32 week scan showed EFW was 5lbs and head and abdo circum was >97th centile.
Wine (esp white) has lots of sugar in it, red is better as when it is made it ferments after it has been pressed whereas white grapes ferment (with natural sugars etc) before being pressed. Shame tho as lovely to have!
redboxer, i found your post interesting, as my EFW at 30+3 was 4lb 2 and they said that was ok - i am not very big!!!
thanks for info about alcohol, forever. i had a small glass with my dinner but forgot to test - really enjoyed it though
Should keep me satisfied for a few more weeks!
I have to test my sugar levels an hour after eating and the clinic would like them below 7.5. Mid-week levels are always fairly low, 6.8 being the highest and then as the weekend nears or if I've got a hospital appointment the levels go all over the place.
However, I had a fetal growth scan at 34+6 and it came back within average range for dates. EFW = 1922 g (4lbs). GD is being controlled through diet at moment. The Diabetic Nurse wanted me to go onto insulin due to some of the high readings, but I really don't want and cannot see why if he is growing within range.
I was diagnosed with GD at week 28, wasn't put onto controlled diet until week 31 so it's been 6 weeks since first finding out and cutting out most sugars. Is insulin really that necessary, I'm more scared of having hypos if I take it when my levels are low.
I wanted to share my experience with so called diabetes in pregnancy...
Family hx: both of my parents are type2.
DD1 : pregnancy swimmingly easy. A midwife points out that DD1 is 7lbs easy. Sends me for a scan at 36w. They accused me of diabetes, told me i should've taken the GTT (i refused all but urine testing with DD1), and sent me to a diabetic midwife. Random sugar was 6.5. I was a nervous wreck, feeling like i'd broken my baby somehow.
Diabetic midwife had me test my sugars 5x / day for a week and report back to her. Not one was above 7, most were between 4 - 5.
She discharged me, but baby was huge anyway. 10lb 1oz, caesarean due to her being so big. I did not have diabetes, and all the furore was for nowt. Her sugars were perfect after birth despite being told i'd have to formula feed her because 'big babies have low sugar' which is a sweeping generalisation and also bollocks.
Fwd to DD2 last year: I told them 'dont even mention diabetes or else i'm outta here.' So they didnt. And DD2 was only 9lb 8. I did nothing different from what i did with DD1...Her sugar was fine after birth, though on day 2 they thought it might'be been low causing trembling legs and arms, but it was 3.8, which they decided was fine.
I am 9mo postpartum and aware that i may develop diabetes, esp consideing my BMI is > 30. That said, i had a random glucose 2 weeks ago in a round of blood tests, and it was 5.2.
Moral of the story? Not all big babies are big due to gestational diabetes. Making moms feel like shit over baby's size is not helpful.
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