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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

is there is gestational diabetes thread?

97 replies

PeppaPigStinks · 08/06/2016 13:54

I need some advice - just got the call. Although it's no surprise really I have it!

I'm needle phobic so this is going to work well!

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YouAndMeAreGoingToFallOut · 08/06/2016 15:12

I'm 37 weeks now, was diagnosed with GD at 28 weeks. I was absolutely gutted (cried and cried) but it hasn't really been that bad.

As for the needles: I'm not at all needle phobic, but if it's any help the blood tests don't involve having to see a needle - it's a sort of pen thing and the (very very small) lancets are hidden inside completely so you don't see them.

YouAndMeAreGoingToFallOut · 08/06/2016 15:13

Also there is a very good Facebook Group and associated website called Gestational Diabetes UK Mums, which I would recommend highly for advice and support.

PeppaPigStinks · 08/06/2016 16:14

Thank you.
Yes I did sit and cry at my desk while everyone was out!
Thank you for the advice. I will have a look

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AveEldon · 08/06/2016 16:19

There is an old thread here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2295140-Gestational-diabetes-support-thread

YouAndMeAreGoingToFallOut · 08/06/2016 17:45

I won't pretend it's no sweat, but in a lot of ways I found worrying about having it was worse than having it has been. I'm on metformin and insulin now, but my sugars are well controlled and everything is fine with the baby, which is the main thing. And it's not your fault either, so try and let go of the inevitable guilt!

PeppaPigStinks · 08/06/2016 18:51

My last baby was a ten and a half pounder so I knew it was coming. I've also been sort of watching my diet as well and loosely maybe trying to follow a higher protein diet. To be fair i think it's my husband that needs to understand it and hopefully he will apply it to his diet too!

I was wondering if it's worth getting a cook book. I am usually pretty good at cooking from scratch anyway

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AveEldon · 08/06/2016 20:43

A lot depends on which bit of the GTT you failed
My post food sugars are fine, it's my fasting ones that are too high

YouAndMeAreGoingToFallOut · 08/06/2016 20:47

Same here! I've never once had a high reading after food (or even after the drink at the GTT). All my meds are to keep on top of the fasting levels.

PeppaPigStinks · 08/06/2016 21:50

Oh dear I have a lot to learn I think!

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seven201 · 09/06/2016 15:57

I just found out I have it (along with many many other things including pre-eclampsia and a breech baby). I'm 38+1 and having a caesarean next Wednesday anyway. I am so gutted, everything else I have sort of taken in my stride but this has tipped me over the edge. I've got an appointment at the diabetes clinic tomorrow. My BMI pre-pregnancy was 27 so 'OK' and I have only put weight on on my bump. I have probably eaten too much sugar though. I will take a look at that Facebook page.

PeppaPigStinks · 09/06/2016 16:37

so I had my appointment and nearly fainted (again). It's the after the glucose drink that mine were high. So I've now got to test an hour after food.
Have you had to change your diet much?

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PeppaPigStinks · 09/06/2016 16:38

Seven201 poor you. It feels like a bit of a kick in the 'balls' when you have had a shit time.
Hope your appt went well.

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strawberrypenguin · 09/06/2016 16:42

Some bits of the diet change can be quite easy. So switch white bread to granary, pasta to whole meal etc can help as they are lower GI which takes your body longer to digest so less of a sugar spike.
It can be surprising the things that will give you a high reading so it's trial and error really to see what works for you.

YouAndMeAreGoingToFallOut · 09/06/2016 18:09

Oh seven what a shame - it sounds like you've already had a really tough time. On the bright side, at least you are almost at the end!

I haven't changed my diet that drastically in terms of actual meals. I've started eating breakfast though, which I didn't usually bother with, and it is a particularly tricky meal for a lot of people because carb tolerance can be worse in the mornings. And I was advised to have morning and afternoon snacks, which I struggled a bit to work out how to fit in. The main issue for me has been eating out, especially things like quick lunches on the go. It's not impossible, but it involves more thought. I've also cut out junk of course, which is no bad thing as I was probably eating too much of that!

AveEldon · 09/06/2016 20:44

seven201 - it usually disappears once baby is born and then you just have to have follow up checks - one after birth 6-8 weeks and then annually

PeppaPigStinks · 10/06/2016 06:56

Seven201 I am pretty sure my previous pregnancy was undiagnosed and I went a few weeks over
It probably feels like the worst time but in a week it will hopefully feel better.
I like you have horrendous pregnancies (different issues). For me this one was going well (only one hospital stay on a drip!) and then I got the call to say my results were back.
I find on the plus side a horrendous pregnancy usually helps you have an easier post birth new born experience because you feel so much better

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seven201 · 10/06/2016 07:43

Thanks everyone. Logically I know it's not that bad but I just got a bit overwhelmed because I've already had so many other complications that this added on top sent me into a bit of a tizwoz. I just feel annoyed that I didn't get the chance to control it as it's been diagnosed so late. I've had many of the symptoms throughout pregnancy (although some of them could be attributed to my other problems) so I was annoyed that I hadn't been tested earlier. Feeling more positive today though.

seven201 · 10/06/2016 14:04

Does anyone know the deal with steroid injections? As I was already booked in for my c-section prior to my gd diagnosis yesterday I'm not actually seeing a dr to discuss the gd at all. I have heard some people get a steroid injection (something to do with baby's lung development)... I'll be exactly 39 weeks on my c-section date. I just don't want to miss having it done if I'm supposed to... I'm confused!
TIA x

YouAndMeAreGoingToFallOut · 10/06/2016 14:10

I don't think steroid injections are necessary for GD unless you are having a section before 39 weeks, or an induction before 37 weeks.

seven201 · 10/06/2016 14:11

I thought it might be something like that, thank you.

TrouserSnake · 10/06/2016 14:20

I have it too and am v needle phobic. I'm testing four times a day and each reading is a rollercoaster of emotions, I'm elated when I get a good one and devastated when I get a bad one. I too have cried for hours and hate myself for getting this. I've never had a bad fasting result, it's only after food and I seem to be controlling it ok ish with just diet. I couldn't cope with insulin. It's v hard though as there are no hard and fast rules about what you can and can't eat so it's all trial and error. I have basically cut out all sweet stuff and am gradually testing carbs to see what works for me. Potatoes seem fine but porridge and oatcakes which everyone goes on about being brilliant cause a spike. It is very stressful. I'm starving and yet scared of eating anything. And also scared of not eating enough and ketosis etc. I hate it so you have my sympathy.

TrouserSnake · 10/06/2016 14:22

Seven, was it Clexane injections that you have to have after a section that they were talking about? It's an anticoagulation drug not a steroid though.

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seven201 · 10/06/2016 14:27

Oh trouser, it sounds like you're having a rough time. The diabetic nurse this morning said for breakfast if you do get a high reading it's worth trying splitting it into two sittings so having a small porridge then leaving it an hour (and testing) then having the second half. Obviously I have no clue but it's just what she said.

No, it was definitely a steroid injection to do with baby's lungs that I had heard about - I forgot to ask the nurse this morning.

TrouserSnake · 10/06/2016 14:37

Mornings seem to be ok, it seems to build up over the day and in the evenings I get a high result. I did speak to a different diabetes nurse today who was v nice and said a few slightly high results are fine which was reassuring as the last one I saw was scaring me a lot more about metformin/insulin/impact on birth and the baby etc. On the upside, it will motivate me to lose weight after the birth a lot faster to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes given GD is a risk factor as this has really put me off!

PeppaPigStinks · 10/06/2016 19:33

Trousersnake I think I have been in denial since I found out but it's now starting to sink in. I get what you mean about the roller coaster of testing

My level was over after breakfast today and borderline at lunch time. To be fair I did experiment with breakfast though (i think it was the denial).

I didn't have any snacks or anything this afternoon.

I am also scared to eat certain things given my experience this morning!

What do you do about buying food out at lunchtimes - I tend to buy lunch, maybe this is the push I need to be organised and take lunch!

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