February 2014 - is there an octopus in there?

[LittlePandaBear]

Okay I don't like to run out of things, even threads, so here's the new one.

Can't remember who described their baby kicking like an octopus but it's very true :)

Shrops your social life doesnt have to take a nose dive, it may initially have a break but we still managed to go to friends for dinners and have friends to us. Even when DS was small, as friends were happy for us to bring him with us, then they reach an age where babysitters come in. The only killer comes when you have friends round and they stay til 2am, and you know your toddler will be up in four hours, whilst they will all still be in bed, grrrr. yes I know I could have kicked them out earlier but we were having a great evening

I hereby reveal what an old woman I am: I LOVE staying in on NYE. Ideally going to bed at about 5 minutes past midnight, having watched the fireworks and made some appreciative noises. It is the best feeling in the world waking up on the first day of the new year and not feeling like a rat has died in your mouth, your head is made of concrete and you've drunk a pint of turps.

shrops your idea of a fake Christmas day sounds amazing! I'm actually a little gutted that I am not hosting anyone this year but instead will be waited on by DM as she does her best mother hen routine.

missk the Premier Inn brekkies are amazeballs, hope you enjoyed!

Just back from 28wk midwife appt. Also had WC jab from the nurse. Didn't hurt at the time but arm feeling sore now. Midwife has referred me for GTT in 2 weeks. Her decision was based on a) borderline BMI at booking in, b) traces of glucose in my wee sample today (although I did produce it after a breakfast of jam on toast), c) bump measuring a little too big for my dates and d) having put on a little too much weight (12kg since booking in).

Am a little bit worried about it all and of course will now spend the rest of my day working from home whilst Googling GD. I know I have been over-indulding in cake, sugar and chocolate lately so really I could probably reduce my sugar levels between now and the GTT by eating sensibly. She also said that given we have a pregnancy spanning Christmas with all the yummy sugary food that involves that it's better to know now whether there is a problem so I can manage it.

Mummy hormones kicked in after we left the doctors and after taking DH to work I went to Asda and bought a mountain of fruit, brown bread, healthy cereals and sugar free yoghurt. Now wondering whether tonight's dinner of steak and chips is ok (high in fat but low in sugar right?!)

Gnitting and Marzi Thanks :) I have PCOS plus mum has type II diabetes, and I've been on metformin for insulin (in)sensitivity for a few years, which I stopped when I found out I was preg.
Ha, macrosomia = chunky baby syndrome :D We will be paying privately for a third tri scan - I still don't know when's the best week to have it yet. Maybe 34? Or is that too late?

I know it's terrible but I don't want to stop eating sugar unless I actually have to! I enjoy it!

I don't dare to weight myself, you guys are brave. I know I've put fat on around my back and thighs/ legs/ arms as well as the bump - it's definitely not just baby weight! Maybe I should start being more sensible while I still have time!

Am so jealous of those of you hitting 7 months already. I don't think I'll be there til nearly the end of December.

I haven't had indigestion/ heartburn yet, but I'm not generally prone to it. Fingers crossed that I'll escape that particular symptom!

Meanwhile, baby octopus has picked up his activity since last night which makes me very happy.

Jazz Yeah, sugar avoidance is the main thing, in all its forms. Try this book for some good explanations:
www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Chance-bitter-truth-about-ebook/dp/B00A626UYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385553954&sr=8-1&keywords=robert+lustig

Fat is fine - good even! (though perhaps less so the kind that chips are cooked in :) ) The fat avoidance mantra of the diet industry is fairly misguided. I managed to lose a fair bit of weight early this year by cutting out carbs, but have re-introduced them as I don't think it's sensible to cut out an entire macronutrient group whilst baby growing.

jazzcat my jaw dropped slightly when the GD dietician suggested cheese was a-ok from now till I drop, as it has zero carbs! My cholesterol is taking a beating, but you've gotta get those calories from somewhere

I have found that any carb (pasta, bread, rice, pitta bread, porridge) will produce a high sugar result, so it's not just the obvious sugars in biscuits, sweets, chocolate etc that will have an impact, although they will definitely cause a spike. So steak with field mushrooms, tomatoes and coleslaw would be ok, but any more than a few chips could have an impact. BUT it's different for everyone - you may be absolutely fine!

julietee re carbs, I've been picking up the low-GI veg, like butternut squash, carrots and also lentils to compensate for not eating carbs and so far it seems to be working! But yes, as a society we eat far too many carbs!

Julietee Given that history, I am REALLY surprised you didn't get the GTT! Although I have PCOS I've never had any insulin issues so I wasn't all that worried about not getting the specific test and figured I'd just wait for the general blood test results.

We are thinking about getting a private scan, mainly because I just want to check in on LO. Our local place offers 4D scans up to 32 weeks and growth scans up to 34 weeks. If you care about getting a clear image etc then I think a little sooner is better as later they will just be all squashed up in there. But if all you care about is getting measurements then I suppose the closer you get to the EDD the more accurate they will be.

Jazz try not to stress about the potential of GD, it does seem very manageable! Of course a royal pain over Christmas but I guess your mw is right in that it's better to pick up a problem, if there is one, now.
NB Be careful with those healthy cereals. They can be a deceptive sugar-wise. Porridge would be best if you can stomach it!

Sorry just saw that gnitting said porridge produces a high sugar result too! Though at least has protein in which helps to regulate I think??

marzi porridge is supposed to be good, as it's full of fibre, which slows down absorption, in a lot of people - my sister knows a type 1 diabetic who swears by the stuff. But it's always, always given me a sugar-crash 2 hours after eating it, and also for my DH, so I think it's an either/or situation, so I should have been more clear - for some people it works a treat and for others not a jot. More trial and error

Marzi Yeah, me too! Was a bit cross at the 'we don't go looking for trouble' answer as if I do have it I want to know, and just acting as if I have it diet-wise isn't really a satisfactory solution as I'd be a lot more careful if I had a positive result! Plus my mum had GD. Hmm.
Good point about cereals - especially any by Kellogs (looking at you, Special K), which tend to be loaded with sugar.

For easy porridge I've been doing it in the microwave - cover oats with milk for 2.5 mins at 800 watts. I add banana and raisins at the microwave stage, but those are prob best avoided with GD :)
Alt breakfast is 2 eggs fried in coconut oil on rye toast, or peanut butter on toast etc.

Aww thanks Julie , gnitting and marzi, at this point it's just the GTT I'm trying to focus on. If I can eat better between now and then hopefully it will come back ok. I have been eating rather too many kitkats and mince pies lately so it won't hurt to stop that habit!

Oh dear... With big bump and bmi 28 at the start I might start laying off the crunchy nut cornflakes for breakfast and dinner in case they're actually enhancing megababy's growth. Bump is huge today, I don't think I can post a pic because look like a whale.

Hope everyone who's got tests coming up is ok - as someone said, better to get it diagnosed now and manage the effects rather than have a very large (and maybe slightly poorly?? I don't know what gd does other than grow bigger babies) baby in a couple of months.

Good luck everyone who is testing for/dealing with GD. Definitely better to be doing something abt it if nec so am a bit surprised at that mw's attitude!

I'm another planning to get a private growth scan later on, unless my new trust does them as standard or decide they want me to do one as I'll be ' new' (wishful thinking).

champs don't forget to follow up your iron-y foods with some vit c like orange juice. Helps absorb it and have not just reminded myself to go and get some post iron smoothie too

Just back from my most recent growth scan and all looking good. Mine is for small/poor growth rather than brewing a whopper. It's a big relief to see it's growing absolutely normally at the mo and is about 3lb 3oz. I have to go again at 36 weeks for another measurement scan and if all ok I can be signed off to the midwife led care. Crossing fingers for that one. Consultant said that at 36 weeks the baby is about as big as it will get as not much growing done in final month. Hoping for 7 to 8lb one please.

Also now head down, was breach at 28 wk check, so as my line manager has said 'ready for launch'

That all sounds really positive choco . Fingers crossed yours stays in launch position now and doesn't fidget back again.

champs beef, beef and more beef!

Choco good to hear that all was well at the scan.

Glad your scan went well Choco - how many weeks was that? My scans are also to check baby's getting nutrients and not too small but judging by fact she's measuring as top 5% size wise I clearly don't have to worry on that count! X

Sassy It's 30 wks for me today. Baby is still on the small side but is well within the parameters for 'normal' whatever that is. Placental flow is also good so it's getting what it should do. Maybe I just breed tiddlers, which is surprising as I'm 5'7 and dh is 6'1, but I'd rather that than 10lb whoppers!!

I know they are just doing their job but it does add another level of worry that you wouldn't otherwise have. On the plus side I do get to see baby choco more than average. It had hiccups today at the scan. Very bizarre watching it and feeling it at the same time.

Champs I've heard chocolate is quite good for iron, particularly dark stuff. Could just be my excuse though. I'm not called Chocofrog for nothing

Choco - yes it is an extra pressure but also reassuring to see them and know they're growing ok. I really hope this one isn't a whopper - dd was 7lbs 12.5 oz and she was a week overdue but I do know that second babies are normally bigger! I've got my next scan on Christmas Eve when I'll be 32 weeks. X

I'm hoping that second babies being bigger thing is a myth, although my enquiries so far have not proven this to be a myth. Gah!

If anyone would like a toddler to borrow, mine can be on next train to you.... I need and

Has anyone had a coldsore yet whilst being pregnant? I can feel one brewing, and am reading mixed things on Dr Google!

Camwombat - yes unfortunately all my friends have had bigger second babies!

I can disprove the second baby weight myth. Ds1 was 8lbs 13oz and ds2 was 7lbs 4oz. Ds3 has a different father though who isn't very tall or broad and this baby is expected to be smaller which is good because a 9lb baby on my frame was very uncomfortable and my stomach looked like a road map.
Good luck to everyone managing a GD diagnosis and waiting for results. You will have unparalleled willpower after surviving a low sugar Christmas and be way ahead the rest of us on the healthy eating front. Hope everything goes well for you.