gestational diabetes

[Helgand]

Have been told today I have to have a glucose tolerance test next week to check if I have gestational diabetes. This is connected to having slightly too much fluid around the baby. Am currently 32 weeks pg. Anyone out there with any advice on diet to try and avoid having to inject insulin? Anyone out there with any advice or experience on what I have ahead of me? I am already very high risk because of previous prem baby and emergency section, plus prolonged reduced fetal movements this time around (prob because of all that fluid!) and to top it all, the radiographer told me the baby is breech legs extended today! I only went in for a check up!

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Hi there - this thread is a little old. [[https://www.mumsnet.com/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes
If you want to read more about gestational diabetes, we’ve got some information here]]. MNHQ

I had the test twice, negative both times, don't worry yet.

You won't necessarily have to inject insulin; it may be possible to control it by diet.

You will be asked not to eat anything from the night before. When you get to your appointment you will have a blood sample taken, then be given a glucose drink which (if you're lucky) will be Lucozade, or (if you're unlucky) will be some vile powdered concoction made up with water. You will probably be asked to drink at least two glasses of water following this, too. A couple of hours later they will take another blood sample, and then another couple of hours later they will take a final sample and then you're free to have breakfast.

The only thing you can do at the moment is to try and cut down on your sugar intake - which would be sensible if you're at risk of GD anyway. If you do have GD, you may be able to control it by diet, and again you can do this by watching the sugar and refined carbohydrate intake.

If you have GD you will be given a blood glucose monitor, taught how to use it, and you will have to check your blood glucose 5 or 6 times a day with a finger-prick. If you need insulin you will have to administer it, but it may not come to that.

Hope it all goes OK.

Hi Helgand,
Sorry you had such a stressful appt! I did have GD, and it was also diagnosed due to excess fluid. The fluids went down pretty fast after the diagnosis.
I was diagnosed at 28 weeks and managed for a while to stay off the insulin. Actually, most women manage to stay off insulin. I assume they gave you a glucose reader? Everybody react a bit different to different foods. I wrote down everything I ate and meassured my blood glucose. That way I learned what I could and could not get away with it. It does vary from person to person, but you probably want to avoid any sweets, juices, and baked goods with white flour. You should be seeing a dietician to help!
If you have to take insulin in the end, don't worry! For me it was actually a good thing. Then I could actually eat as much as I needed and wanted!
I know it is scary, but baby was born fine and no comoplications, and the diet helped me be back at my pre-pregnancy almost immediatly after birth!

Good luck!

Ooops, got a bit ahead of myself! Just notice you didn't do the GTT yet....
Anyway, GD is not that bad if it comes down to that!
Best of luck!

Helgand how did it go? I am type 1 (insulin dep) diabetic but was only diagnosed during pregnancy. Tbh I think that despite it being a lot to take in it actually gives you a sense that you are really doing something for the good of your baby. I know everyone else is too, just their bodies are doing it automatically but you will be consciously doing it for your little one. Diet does make you focus and stay healthy too. Just so you don't panic I was told before I got pregnant that I'd be diabetic following surgery on my pancreas - you won't be!

Hi, I just had my Full Glucose Tolerance Test results - 8.1. This is apparently boarderline. The obs @ the hospital can only see me in 2 weeks time !!!!!! So I am looking for info on diet in the meantime as I am due in 7 weeks & really should not wait for 2 weeks before doing anything I think. Al sites discuss healty diets etc, but I want more specifics on what I need to do.

Follow the GI diet! this is currently very fashionable but was designed to keep your blood sugar stable.
Avoid anything which makes your blood sugar spike - all sugar containing stuff, including stuff with fruit sugar in - eg fruit, juices, dried fruit, also unrefined carbs.

Hi Helgand - sorry you are going through this! I had GD with my second pregnancy and did end up on insulin - it freaked me out at the time but actually made things a lot easier in the long run (ie I could more stuff ).

Hopefully your next test will be fine but I think you're right to think about your diet in the meantime. The GI diet is a really good suggestion. I also got some great info from some American diabetes chat boards (I've changed computer and don't have a link but I'll have a look later). They measure the levels differently there but the nuitrition advice was invaluable. The difficulty is that it isn't just obviously sweet things which makes your blood sugar rise - white rice used to send my levels sky high!

Will try and find some links later - in the meantime, try not to worry too much.

yeah - white rice/white bread/normal pasta = unrefined carbs = bad
brown rice/wholemeal pasta or bread = good - less refined carbs

Sadly cake is pretty much always bad but you can make up for it after the birth

Try this site, Helgand. I'm still searching for the forum which I found helpful but this might be useful.

diabetes in pregnancy

bumping for Helgand in case she's about...

Thanks for the info. Bizzarly enough the GI index says milk choc is not so high - I'll not test that theory until I've seen the endocrine people.

Bump.

Just picked up on this thread. I was diagnosed with GD 2 weeks ago & I've decided to do whatever it takes to avoid insulin. So far, my levels have been well below targets, except once (boo hoo).

At first I was eating lots of chicken/fish & veg. When I saw the dietician, she told me this was harmful to the baby & I MUST eat carbs at each meal, even a little. If you don't eat any carbs, you produce ketones which is worse than a slightly higher blood glucose level. So, it's either a few tatties (with skin on = good fibre) or a slice of wholemeal bread with the meal. I was told that if a meal puts you over the target level, only eat 2/3 of it then eat the remaining 1/3 after your blood test. It's not cheating!!

Karmamother I too had these in the later stages of my pg. Luckily I managed to control it with diet - I just cut out obvious sugar sources and tried to eat healthily little and often so my body could deal with breaking down the sugar. One mw at the hospital did freak me out slightly though by saying that the sugar my body didn't deal with would go straight to the baby and I would end up with big baby - Later told not strictly true so not sure about that - dd was 8Lb so not overly huge

Anyway they tested me again few days after birth and it had gone away - so for my birthday my dh bought me the chocolateist cake he could lay his hands on!!

muppet73, I keep having hallucinations about chocolate cake. I was looking forward to eating brie, pate, shellfish & lots of Vino once bubs is born but I've decided to replace all of it with a big chocolate cake. Until I'm sick.

I know how you feel - just hang in there - it will all be just a hazy memory when you have your new baby in one arm and your chocolate cake in the other

I'll take a photo & post it on here!!

I'm thinking about starting a GD thread just to get some tips/ideas from mums who've had it or currently have it. There seems to be a huge difference in the info given out so it'd be good to compare. I'd also like to know what kind of labour/delivery these mums have had. It'd be nice to know that they don't all become complete intervention nightmares.

Karmamother - my birth was long and did end in a c-section but this had nothing to do with the GD - my lo was brow presentation and I had other complications with a long labour (talking days not hours) so literally too exhausted to go on.

I stress though my MW said it was nothing to do with GD. ANother brilliant midwife I had told me to ignore people who said I was going to have a huge baby because of it - said my huge bump (sweepsteak going round at work as to whether scans missed fact I was having twins!!) could have been due to all sorts - lots of water etc etc

I'll try and find the info about diet I was given and post something tomorrow

I gave birth naturally had gestational diabetes with bith children now on my third pregnancy will go for more tests to see how my sugar is holding out

I have to inject though each time and follow a diet and it takes me ages to lose the weight after having the baby

Karmamother - please post photo of choc cake!!
Def have severe cravings for all things choclate - probably cause I can't have it!.
Went for a scan on monday baby is just over the 95th growth . I had hoped with my GD being 8.1 (borderline apparently) that it would not affect him. He is weighing 3.1kg with 5 weeks to go. My DS (now 2) was born 2 weeks late @ 3.3 kg! Am seeing obs & endocrine tomorrow. Cannot face the injections I think. Have had 2 UTI's requiring IV antibiotics in hospital for a week each during this pregnancy - have developed a definate thing about needles!

Capie, hi! I'm a bit delirious as I've just eaten a weightwatchers pot of choc ice cream (16g of carbs!)

Just got back from seeing the dietician & she said I'm starving myself! I've been determined to keep the levels within target & I have ended up with lots 5's & 6's after meals, when I can actually go up to 8.

How many weeks are you? I'm not sure if I'll get another scan before I deliver as I'm moving on Saturday & will change hospitals. I'm not sure how accurate these growth scans are TBH. When was your GD diagnosed? Do you think baby grew too much before you cut down on carbs? I'm quite big but my fundal height has always equalled dates so I'd like to have a scan just to check anyway.

Hi Karmamother - sorry for the late response but seriously getting ready for the new baby.

GD was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. Only got to see the specialists last week Thursday. Luckily don't have to do insulin just diet. But do hate the finger pricking. Although had to stop now as the machine I got from the hospital does not seem to be supported by any of my local pharmacies so I have run out of lances!

I am now 34 weeks & I am booked for another scan next Thursday (36wks) & the obs said it will possible a CS delivery in week 38. Hence the rush to get babystuff done.

I def think the baby grew to much all 3 previous scans had him on the mark with growth & then this one over the 95th!

What is it with pregnant women & moving??? I moved during both pregnancies & most of the women in my previous prenatal group as well.

How about you - what's your story?

Hi Capie. You must be getting excited now, not long now. I'm 32+4 today & I see my new MW & GP tomorrow so I might be able to find out what the hospital policy is for GD. I hope I'll get another scan but I do realise that growth prediction can be unreliable at this stage. I've been big throughout my pregnancy but my fundus has always = dates so I've put it down to MY weight gain, not baby's. Since being on this GD diet, I've lost a few pounds which isn't such a bad thing.

About the lancets, can you get a prescription for a whole new type of lancet device? I'll be asking for a new lot tomorrow so I'm hoping I'll get the same type. I've got it down to a fine art & it doesn't hurt too much.

As for the move, I'm sure all this activity is the reason my blood sugars have been much too low. I should be eating more, but haven't had time. This is the first time in 4 days Ive been able to log on here & I've enjoyed the chance to sit down!

Yes their idea of starving is that you have NO sugar or ketones are present in your urine. This will means you are using your fat store for energy instead of food - hence the weight loss. Not a bad thing, but maybe not the best time while pregnant.

So long as you don't feel faint, I'm sure it's fine.

So tell me about the fine art of pricking....
I am using the side of my fingers & not the tips. Also discovered that my ring & pinky fingers are VERY sensitive!! So sofar it is the middle & forefingers that gets used on both sides.

What have you found "spiked" your sugar? Seems mine is bread.

Found a pharmacy that tracked down the correct lances for me & had 200 of them given to me today. So have to start pricking again

@ least it is just for 3 more weeks.

Sorry for the delay in replying. Been very busy unpacking - just moved.

I've found that my middle & ring fingers are the least painful so they are used all the time, until they drop off, I guess. Yes pricking the side is recomended. "Real diabetics" are always told to prick the sides so they don't damage the pads, a long-term side effect of diabetes is blindness & they may need to learn braille.

I was told by my dietician to include carbs at each meal so I've been having mainly Wholemeal bread. I've not tried white bread but I know it will spike my sugar more than wholemeal. For lunch today I had 4 small slices with ham which came to 37gms of carb & my level was 5.8 so I'm getting a better idea of how much I can have.

Also today, registered with new GP I asked for a prescription for lancets & testing strips. It took her ages to find the right ones on her computer & I thought I'd not be able to get any. Fortunately she was able to locate the right ones & the GP's pharmacy had them in stock.

The new hospital I'm now booking with has a consultant who specialises in GD & I see her next week so I'm pleased to be able to talk to someone who actually knows what they're talking about!!

Does your tummy measure bigger than your dates? Obviously your scan indicated a good sized baby but I wonder if it corresponds to your tummy size.