Gestational diabetes - what happens next?

[AhickeyfromKenickie]

Hi, I've been Googling this pretty much all day, but still very confused.
Am 28 weeks with DC#3. Yesterday I had the test for GD (the one where you have bloods, drink, bloods again). MW rang this morning and said I had high blood sugar levels. She said she'd phone me back to give me an appointment for next week, but in the meantime, what do I do (if anything?). Can anyone give me a heads-up on what happens next?
Also, previous to today's results, consultant said I would be offered induction or ELCS (if I wanted) as DC#3 is massive - does having GD mean I have to have a ELCS? (I posted this originally in "Childbirth", but no replies).
Any advice greatly appreciated. Off to Google a bit more...

Hi AHFK, I was diagnosed at 31 weeks and basically I just cut out thing I knew to be sugary until I had seen the consultant/dietician etc, e.g. no fruit juice, sweeties etc.

When I saw the diabetic nurse she gave me ideas of what to eat and gave me a blood glucose monitor so I could check my own levels. After that I was able manage by GD with diet but from what I gather I was quite lucky in that respect. They say low GI foods work very well.

I was induced by ARM and sintocinon drip at 39+5 but the consultant had said if I wanted to leave it longer to see if I went in to spontaneous labout I could do.

DD was 7lb 8oz when she was born so her growth had come back down to 50th centile by the time she was born where it had been 90th previously so I guess everyone is different.

I don't think they would MAKE you have a CS but I guess they might advise it if DC is really big. That's one thing you'll have to wait and see what they say I guess. I found they didn't decide what they were going to do until pretty late on.

Good Luck, x.

I saw your other post, but to rushed to reply at the time.

From what I understand - though you didn't give detail, but said your recovery was very long from previous birth, I'm guessing you had a 3rd degree tear???

If you did, and have any kind of bladder/bowel problems AT ALL as a result, that may be why you ave been offers an ElCS - not because of the GD.

If you have any damage at all, further birth could make it worse, and and as you get older, it will get worse still. It is now official policy to offer ELSC in such cases, though some consultants don't.

My experience was basically exactly the same as Laura's, if that helps at all!

Thanks for replies
I had two 2nd degree tears with DC#1 (he was 10lb 8oz) which took ages to heal, which is why I couldn't walk for 6 weeks afterwards.
DS#2 was delivered vaginally (induction at 39 weeks because she was big too), no tears tho. I didn't have GD with either of them.
At first, the consultant said I wouldn't need intervention for DC#3 (delivered 2 big babies, no reason why can't do a 3rd, in her opinion). Then, as DC#3 began to get bigger and bigger (he is now off the chart), consultant offered induction or CS if I wanted either. Now I have high blood sugar I wondered if I'd have to have induction/ELCS, or can you just try for natural, active birth regardless?
I know really the only person that can answer my Qs is the consultant but I'm not seeing him until October, and in the meantime just wanted to hear other's experiences.
In the meantime, I've chucked the cheesecake in the bin and am investigating GI eating plan

Low GI is V good idea - I was able to totally control GD with ds2 on a lowGI diet), Bloods normal all the time with it (had to test about 4?, 6? time a day). DS1 was 9lb5oz and they tested his blood sugar incase I'd had undiagnosed GD in that pregnancy but all was normal, I had a 3 degree tear, weeks serious pain + problems and now as I get older, I have mild bowel problems connected with that injury, DS2 was "only" 8lb11oz, so I think the low gi does stop them putting on too much. His head was even bigger than ds1's tho! DS3 (no GD that time) was 9lb4lb.
With current preg, I was advised by my consultant, a 3rd degree tear and ANY bowel problem (I think same applies to bladder issues) is a clear clinical indication to have an ELCS, as it WILL get worse after menopause and any further damage could leave me in a very bad way down there. I think the advice was changed only a couple of years ago (my last DC was born 13 years ago and things were very different then!).
Section was never suggested due to the GD, and haven't heard of it, but maybe it's the combination of the tear/long recovery and the fact the baby is large (and maybe with a large head?), and the consultant is concerned about further damage?? Maybe ask him at the next meeting - then decide what you want to do, once you have all the facts (maybe CS is the best option, maybe not). Also, on making your decision, remember to weigh up the pros and cons YOURSELF (google is your friend in this respect, but make sure you are reading good quality info), as your consultant and your MV will probably come at the issues from

opposite sides (consultant "minimise risks", MV "minimise interventions"). I already had the MV trying to talk me out of my already booked ELCS, when I'm VERY happy with the decision, having looked at all my particular risk factors (more complex than just the 3degree tear), and the pros and cons of the situation. What ever you decide, it needs to be a decision you are happy with - don't let either side push you into something you are not 100% happy about.

Regarding baby size - all 3 of my DS measured
larger on scan than they were (they were all big at 9lb5, 8lb11, 9lb4), but scans showed them as being about 1 1/2 lbs bigger than they actually were - as all had larger than average head size for their length (head size is one of the things they use to estimate the babies size).