Anyone else having early GTT test or diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

[spritesoright]

I had GD with first pregnancy (diet controlled) so an now doing the GTT test early at 18 weeks with this pregnancy.

The midwife seemed lovely initially and obviously I know a lot about GD this time around. But then she got all preachy asking had I adjusted my diet accordingly (well, no because it's not been diagnosed again yet). She described my medical history as 'not brilliant' as though it represented some personal failure on my part (I was super strict about my diet last time and blood sugars were nearly perfect). Then to top it off she decided to warn me about the increased risk of diabetes after the pregnancy.
I know it's her job but she did seem to lay in with the preaching early on. It reminded me that the worst part about having GD isn't dealing with the condition but the medicalisation of me as a person and the way you get treated.
Okay, rant over. Anyone else going through this right now?

[rosyryan]

I'm waiting to be! I had GD last time and am now 13 weeks. Had a fasting blood test last week - results not back yet - and having a GTT at 16 weeks. No lectures so far but I am fully expecting them!

[spritesoright]

Hi Rosyryan, thanks for replying.I never had a fasting blood test, what's the difference from a GTT.
Do they really think we're oblivious to the risks? They should know we feel them more acutely than anyone.
Last time they insisted DD be born in the labour ward and not a pool because of risk of shoulder dystocia based on their claim that she was in the 99th percentile for weight. That was utter rubbish and she was 50th and blood sugars perfectly normal.
I suppose I should just smile and nod and get on with it. Good luck with your upcoming tests!

[TarkaTheOtter]

I had it last time. My postnatal gtt suggested I had prediabetes but as I am not overweight and lead a healthy lifestyle there is not much I can do about that.

They wouldn't let me have the GTT this time round because they were worried about how high my fasting levels were at 14 weeks so started me testing. Like last time I was not able to keep my levels down with diet (my bmi is approaching 20 so I have to be careful not to lose too much weight) so they started me on metformin. After a few weeks they put me on insulin too which is a whole different kettle of fish but does mean I can eat more.

On the plus side they have not made me see the dietician this time so I haven't felt too patronised. They were quite heavy handed about the risks though. I do wonder if some people don't take it that seriously and hence they have to go in quite strong on the potential dangers - but I really don't need to hear about perinatal death when I am struggling to keep my sugars low on a very low carb diet thanks! I am lucky that the diabetes specialist nurse is very approachable so I pretty much ignore the consultant and direct all my questions to her.

[TarkaTheOtter]

First part of gtt is fasting bloods. Sometimes they also just take a random blood glucose test too.

Despite the diabetes my dd was only 7lbs and this one is measuring to dates atm.

[spritesoright]

Hi Tarka, Thanks for explanation and update on your situation. I was miffed that they tested at 18 weeks (thought that was a bit early) but apparently not. I'm surprised you've had to go on insulin so quickly. Similarly I had a low BMI and healthy lifestyle pre-pregnancy (now I'm just fat and knackered :).
Yes, must keep in mind that they are preaching to the converted. I didn't get a fasting test this time or last...

[spritesoright]

I just re-read your post and realised I did get fasting bloods as it's just part of the same test
I blame the headache I've had since that bloody lucozade mixture. Fasting and then a huge dose of sugar give me a headache every time.
Glad to hear your baby is growing normally. How many weeks are you?

[midori1999]

I had my GTT at 8 weeks this time as I'd checked my blood sugars a couple of times and they were high. They are querying whether I have type 2 though as diagnosis was so early, although I don't think I do have type 2. I was on metformin by 10 weeks, insulin by about 11/12 weeks. I currently feel like I've had GD forever and am knackered. (35 1/2 weeks)

Luckily I've avoided any patronising, although one of the consultants I see can be a bit . My sugars are getting out of control now tbh, all over the place and there's not really much I can do about it. Going to ring the diabetic nurse today and see if she can give any input.

[TarkaTheOtter]

Oh midori so close now! Hopefully the diabetic nurse can help! Are you getting lows as well as highs? I'm finding that insulin is making things so much more complicated because I now also have to worry about being too low.

I'm only 22 weeks . 16 weeks still to go.

It was obvious really quickly that I was going to need insulin this time round. I was eating very low carb meals and getting readings in the double figures.

I'm slightly concerned that I haven't even reached the "gestational" part of diabetes and once I get to 24-28 weeks its going to get even tougher to manage.

[TarkaTheOtter]

About the fasting test, I think some places do a sort of prescreening fasting or random glucose test (ie just a regular blood test) before they refer for the gtt because the gtt is quite costly to administer (and patients don't like it). Ive heard people talk about that in the UK. it not really an extra test, just another (not particularly reliable) way of seeing who should have a GTT.
In the US every pregnant woman does a 1hr version of the GTT and if you fail that you then do a three hr GTT.

[spritesoright]

Midori, I think we were on the same GD support thread last time I was pregnant. Congratulations on this upcoming baby. I hope your nurse or doctor can help with the erratic readings.
Am now feeling a bit guilty that I haven't been taking bs readings earlier or monitoring my diet but it really was borderline last time and I thought it didn't kick in until around the time of official testing.
Thanks for the explanation re: the fasting blood test, Tarka. I have managed to understand eventually
I'm only 18 weeks so similar to you it feels like so long away. It was hard enough monitoring everything for 12 weeks the first time around.

[TarkaTheOtter]

Should probably only speak for myself but I don't think my case is "typical" as I have "impaired fasting glucose" levels when not pregnant and am basically on my way to type 2 (like every other woman in my family).
Some people manage to not get gd at all in subsequent pregnancies. Have you had your results back yet?

[littleomar]

Hia, anyone still there?

I had a bad gtt test (10.3) and been doing finger prick thing since Thursday. Hospital useless. told me to monitor blood for 2 weeks, gave me enough testing kit for a few days and a couple of crappy leaflets about diet and that was it. I'm supposed to be getting a consultant appointment through - already consultant led (twins) but don't know if it's the same consultant or someone else and neither did the nurse.

I've had one 8 and one 8.2, both after breakfast, so I've given up porridge and bread. Seriously starting to hate nuts and eggs. Moan moan moan.

I'll be induced/CS if they havent arrived at 37 weeks, so not nearly as long as some of you have been putting up with this, but could really do without another thing to worry about. I'm also anxious about what happens next and whether this diagnosis means I'm prone to type 2 anyway, or if getting gd causes type 2.

[littleomar]

Oh am 30+2

[TarkaTheOtter]

Hi little
Mornings seem to be really tough for lots of people. I find I can eat bread (one slice) only if I have it with protein such as egg, peanut butter or cheese so that might work for you. I can't get good readings with porridge or any cereal so that is a no go. It might be that you can't get low readings through changing diet alone and need metformin or insulin.

Make an appt with your gp to get all the bits you need (testing strips/lancets) on repeat. You should get away with only the one sharps box as you won't be testing for that long.

It might work differently where you are but here we have a joint clinic with an endocrinologist and an obstetrician. So the appt has two consultants/registrars at the same time. The endocrinologist looks at my readings and the obstetrician looks through my pregnancy notes (scan details, bp etc).

Your last question is really interesting. I've always thought that gd was just a sign that type 2 was more likely to occur rather than it being causal but I'm not sure about that. Do you have a family history of type 2 diabetes?

[whodunnit]

1 years ago now, but I was diagnosed with GT and put on a diet for the last 2 months that went well. DD was born weighing 12 pounds 11 and the biggest live birth at that teaching hospital. She wasn't making any progress in labour and so they gave me a CS and pulled her out. They reckon she would have had her shoulders broken if she had managed to come out vaginally. And I reckon that I would still be wondering what happened to my bits during the process. We got off lightly really.
The next two DD were 10 pound 6 and 10 pound 12. Three CS and very happy with it.

There is a very slight family tendency to diabetes but nothing confirmed more of a case of minor shakes when short of sugar.

[littleomar]

Thanks Tarka. Going to GP for pertussis jab later (the fun never stops) so I'll stock up. My grandfather had Type 2 but he was overweight and I don't take after that side of the family physically. I'll see if the medics can answer that question.

Whodunnit, ouch! I'd be well happy with 3x CS too! My first two were under 8lb at term, don't know if it's twins or age or luck that has tipped me over this time.

[whodunnit]

Hope it all goes well for you, Little omar, being preganant is so lovely - playing with those heels and feet that stick out. Enjoy your last few weeks:)