I've just been told I have gestational diabetes

[Again]

They gave me very little information over the phone other than to say that I have to come in to be shown how to monitor my blood sugar this week. After a bit of coaxing the nurse said that my blood sugar is 11 after an hour of drinking the sugary drink they give.

What does this mean? I had been hoping for a natural birth this time round and am very worried that the baby will be too big and I've been googling and seeing that there's a risk of still birth.

On a lighter note I'm going on holiday on saturday and had been looking forward to lots of custard tarts while there.

Not sure as this is my first pg. You could possible take a look on this website though: www.diabetes.co.uk/gestational-diabetes.html

I've a feeling you're going to have to knock the custard tarts on the head though.

Hi, I was diagnosed with GD two weeks ago. I'm sure some more knowledgable mums will be along in a minute, but I'll just let you know what has happened to me since (I'm 31 weeks btw).
MW phoned and said I was a 9, gave me an appointment at the hospital for days later. There I saw a diabetes nurse who tld me how to check my blood, I have to do it 4 times a day. Very simple and painless, you just prick your fingertip, you barely feel it. Then I saw a dietician who gave me a diet sheet... very depressing reading! Basically, it's very similar to the GI Diet, if you're familiar with that. For the first 3 days I felt dreadful, it must have been sugar withdrawal. Felt very tired and a bit weak. But I'm pretty much used to it now, although of course, I'm missing my carbs like crazy. A few days later, another appointment with diabetes consultant and obstetrics consultant. Obs said I will need extra monitoring, so appointments every fortnight from now on to check blood levels, urine, BP etc, plus a scan in September and again in October to check growth. I will be offered induction or C-Section at 38 weeks, if I want it. And that's everything that's happened to me since I found out! I have an active thread on Pregnancy at the mo about weight size of GD LOs, the average seems to be 8lb-ish, which is a bit of a relief since I was imagining a twenty pound whopper! Hope this helps some, like I said, I'm sure someone a bit more clued-up will post here soon.

I have just been diagnosed too - going to hospital for 1st visit tomorrow. I had a reassuring conversation with the midwife today she said very slight chance of complications. Hopefully i will only need to change my diet - anything for a health baby.

hey guys,

Don't worry there's a few of us out there... I'm now 36/40 and was diagnosed at 28/40. So far have been able to control with diet and doing finger pricks 4 times a day (pre breakfast and 1 hr post the 3 main meals).

Found this thread essential reading - as it's been going a while you can follow through mums from diagnosis to birth.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/936486-Support-and-help-with-Gestational-Diabetes?pg=1

My baby isn't measuring big (has been on 5th centile line from 12wk scan) but have my next scan on Wednesday. Have been told that I'll be able to go to 40wks but they will want to induce me then - hoping it happens spontaneously before then, with sweeps from 38wks and possibly some reflexology.

I cried lots when first diagnosed - the info available online is very limited - the thread I've linked to above is what I got most sensible info/reassurance from.

Again, it depends what you mean by 'natural' birth. If you mean no epidural and no c section then yes its possible. If you mean birthing pool and whale music, its probably best not to set your heart on it. I think you will definitely have to give birth at a consultant led unit.

I found having GD very much a wait and see game. There are a lot of 'it depends on' factors, eg if you are able to control with your diet or if you need insulin, if your LO is measuring big or not etc etc.

I was diagnosed at 31.5 weeks, as DD was measuring 2 weeks ahead of dates at this point. Managed to control it with diet and at 37 weeks they said they would just treat me like anyone without GD and would let me go on my own.

At 38+6 (39 week appointment) they found so protein in my urine so changed their mind and I was induced at 39+5, although they did say I could wait a little longer if I wanted.

Induction was fine, no epidural and about 11 hours all in, although had to have forceps in the end but all was well. DD had to have blood sugar tested before feeds for first 24 hours but after that fine.

I'm now back to normal and non-diabetic although apparently you're more likely to develop type 2 later on.

Thanks guys. I know that it's not the end of the world, but yesterday I was a bit gutted. I have another endocrine disorder, which was the reason that they checked me. I didn't have GD in my last pregnancy so I just saw it as routine. I had my hopes on a hypnobirth, but in hospital, as I have to be on saline and steroid drip for my other condition anyway. I am surrounded by homebirthers at the moment and was already feeling sorry for myself. I really don't want another c-section.

Again, if things go your way, I think you could still have that.

Don't quote me on any of this but unless DC is particularly big I think they usually induce rather than C section.

If you are induced they will want to constantly monitor you, but from the very little I know about hypnobirthing that would be fairly compatable I think?

They may want to put you on another drip which is a glucose insulin slider to keep your sugar levels even, but I didn't have to have that so its not a given either.

Like I said I think you need to just resign yourself to wait and see as there are so many variables, its hard I know. How many weeks are you?, x.

HI - went to hospital yesterday to see diabetic team, much happier. Unfortunately for me there is no choice for me about c-section as had to have them for previous 2 pregnancy's. I was paranoid that they would do me befor 39 weeks, which i don't want. Midwife said 39+ will stay unless complications and they would have waited until 40weeks for a natural birth. Lets hope the sugars now stay stable - good luck Again.

Thanks guys. I'm just 28 weeks and have changed my diet, so lets see how things go. I think I'll still go on the hypnobirthing weekend I had booked if I'm up to it.

A friend of mine stayed type 2 after GD, but I don't think anyone informed her this was a possibilty.

Again, don't worry too much it is very common and can be managed either by diet, insulin etc. Hopefully a change in diet is all you will need.

I had GD with my DD and she was born at 40 weeks naturally and was 7lb7oz. I'm 18weeks with my second now and hoping that the outcome will be the same if the GD comes back.

Although they often induce you if you have GD they will only do this if necessary, so you will get extra scans to check the babys growth and the condition of the placenta. If everything is OK they will just leave you to it, but you will have to give birth in hospital rather than a midwife led centre as you'll still be classed as high risk.

For the record I never saw anyone other than a midwife when I had DD.

Solo it is very rare to remain type 2 after having GD although you are at greater risk of developing it in later life

Gestational diabetes is not the be all and end all in most cases.

Even in very mild forms you will be watched very, very carefully as will the baby.

For me when I have had it before, yet to see how this time pans out but before I didn't have to change my diet.

My diet was pretty spot on for what they recommend and my sugars never read high out of the GTT. It was a case of when they tested my body with large amount of sugars it couldn't cope therefore I was diabetic.

But just by eating normally and a well balanced diet, it meant day-day I never had an issue, but it's something that was important to be diagnosed ifyswim.