GTT and GD questions please

[SuperUnicorn]

My GTT came back as fail, the midwife said I was unlucky as I was only very slightly over the limit they deem normal.

She gave me the home testing kit and I'm supposed to be doing my blood test 4 times a day. So far all my results have been well within the normal range.

But I'm really struggling with testing now, my fingers hurt and I'm struggling to get enough blood out to test. Yesterday I only managed one successful test. I've got a stinking cold so I don't know if this is not helping? I've been doing what I was told, washing hands in hot water before hand, changing the 'stabby' bit etc.

I'm finding it so stressful and yesterday I cried about the failures.

What I would like to know is if there is a problem would it show consistently on my test results? So if I can only get blood out once a day would that flag a problem? I'm just worried that by not being able to test as much as I was told if there is a problem it won't show?

I've got a scan and consultant appointment Wed and can't see anyone any sooner so will ask then but this is stressing me out so much it is giving me nightmares. My husband says go down to testing less to reduce the pain and stress as so far no results are indicating problems but I'm worried about damaging my little one.

[Cath3081]

Hi, sorry I can't offer much advice, but just wanted to say I feel for you. It's not a nice thing to go through and I hope someone comes along soon with some good advice.

I'm due to have my GTT on Tuesday and I'm bricking it! I'm terrified of needles. I'll be watching this thread to see any tips on dealing with the frequent testing.

Sending you a hug

[dementedpixie]

I think I had to test 3 times a day. Like you I was borderline so my readings were never massive. Why not test a couple of times a day until you feel a bit better and then go back to 3 or 4 times when your fingers have recovered. P.s. My Dd was 7lb 11oz so was not a huge baby.

[Allthatglitters90]

Hi, I'm sorry the tests are stressing you out, they aren't the best to begin with. I was told to test four times a day, once before breakfast to get my fasting levels then one-two hours after each meal. The fasting level is important as if that goes out of whack for a prolonged period, you will need to discuss with midwife/diabetic nurse whether you need medication to control your sugars. The readings after meals will show how your body is processing different foods.

I would recommend trying to get a fasting reading (assuming you've been asked to monitor this!) at the minimum. After meals will be helpful to see how your body reacts to different foods. For example, my body really struggled with pasta so my post meal readings were high but were much better with small amounts of bread.

Have you had a chat with a diabetic nurse and dietician? My diabetic nurse was very helpful in suggesting different ways to get blood. Like you, to begin with I found it difficult to get any blood, my fingers hurt and it was all a bit of a nightmare. For me, I found making sure I ran my fingers under hot water helped (I know you've mentioned this). I also found I was flinching when I pressed the button to release the needle, so had to really press my finger up against it. I had four fingers (two middle and two ring fingers) which were easier to get blood from, so used them on rotation, stabbing the fleshy part of the tip of the finger and down the edges iyswim. I also did the tests when I was in a hurry - drawing it out made it worse for me so I'd do it, e.g., just before I was going into a meeting at work so I just did it and that was that.

It does get easier! For now, I would do what you can with the tests and have a chat either with diabetic nurse or consultant. As long as you've made the necessary dietary changes, I would be reassured you and baby are most likely fine (though the tests are still important). Above all else, be easy on yourself as I found getting stressed made it harder for me to get any blood out! Best of luck!

[SuperUnicorn]

Thank you all for your advice.

The midwife said if I could get two after meals those would be the most useful as it was my after test that was slightly over. I'll try to aim for one of each until Wednesday when I can see them again.

I've not made any changes to my diet, I already eat low gi and have done for years. I guess my body just wasn't expecting the huge amount of sugar they force feed you so made my result slightly high. I even experimented the other evening and ate an entire packet of jelly babies and my result afterwards was still normal so I wonder if there is a problem at all or not.

I have to hold my hand on the table so I can't pull it away and I can only get blood out of a couple of fingers, which I think is making it worse as they are now sore.

I'll persevere as much as I can until Wed and then see what they say. There is no way I can do this for the rest of my pregnancy though, it is making me truly miserable.

[sweetchilli77]

Im in a similar position.....

I have a gastric band and was told i couldn't have GTT, however I'm sure thats bollocks and their getting confused with people with a gastric bypass! My band has had fluid taken out for pregnancy so I'm no different then anyone else.

Anyway have been monitoring blood sugars since about 23 week. I had a couple of sight high reading and i mean slight. It was around xmas where i had had chocolate for breakfast. -it was xmas and im pregnant hahah-

Anyway when i last went to see them they said they wanted to me to continue to monitor. I sometimes forget. I have another small baby and its not always an hour after that i can monitor. It drives me mad because they only monitor when i go to my hospital appointments.

I go next week and i will be 28 week. Im going to push for a GTT because i feel this is a waste of my time and theirs.Plus not very accurate. My urines is always negative too.

I am also a diabetic nurse too which pisses me off a little but these midwifes a breed of their own sometimes...

[MrsBobDylan]

What finger pricker are you using?If it's a single use lancet, ask your diabetic MW for one which you load a lancet barrel into where you can change the needle depth. If you are not getting enough blood then the needle isn't going in deep enough.

Next piece of advice is to squeeze the prick site length ways and width ways with two fingers.

Next piece of advice is don't worry - if your glucose readings are coming out within range then you and baby will be fine. Stick with the low gi and don't experiment with jelly babies again.

I am Mum to a type 1 diabetic and also have been through GD and had a very average sized baby with. O problems post birth. Like you I ate low GI and tests and my blood sugars were mostly in range.

Oh, last piece of advice, prick the sides of your finger tips, not the tips! It's too painful!

[MrsBobDylan]

Should say no problems post birth.