GD and Ketones

[MissJA]

I am 29 weeks and last week was diagnosed with GD. Over the last 10 days i have ketones in my urine which today have risen to 3+. The midwife couldn't really explain it and i am due to see the Dr this week but has anyone had this and does anyone know if ketones affect the baby?

I've been so careful with diet and this is just another thing to worry about. Also has anyone been put on metformin and do you know if there are any side effects for the baby?

Would be really good to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar.

Thanks

Hi MissJA ketones just mean your burning fat as your not eating enough. Have you dropped your carbs down too low?

I think part of it is my body adjusting but part of it may be something wrong with my night and morning sugars. Although on monday i went to DAU and they said i had 3+ ketones and then on tuesday they did the strip test and they said there were no ketones. i had drunk about 3 litres of water on monday but i am not sure how accurate these strip tests are. Dr told me not to worry as they meant i was dehydrated. But who knows. I am going tomo again and will see what's happened then.

If you are spilling ketones it is because your body is burning up muscle tissue for energy because it cannot access glucose. It is more easier to spill ketones when you are pregnant than not (if you have Type 1 D, rather than GD) and most drs will tell type 1's not to bother testing for ketones unless they are ill during pregnancy. However, if you are being very strict with your diet and doing low carb, then it is more likey you will get them. Also, you are more likely to have ketones in the morning because your body has been starved overnight. You can minimise them by eating something before bed with carb in it.

There is no evidence as to whether or not ketones damage baby but it is considered better not to spill them if you can avoid it. 3+ is relatively speaking quite a lot.

Hi MIssJA, I spilled ketones in my urine, and we couldnt really explain why, as I upped my carb intake by having a couple of digestives and a glass of milk before bed. What the diabetes nurse did was give me a blood ketones monitor, which is basically the same as a glucose monitor, but it measures the ketones in your blood - which are apparently the dangerous kind. Some people do just spill ketones in their urine apparently. I had no ketones in my blood at all.

Maybe ask them about a blood ketone monitor if it keeps happening.

I had 3+ ketones found in my urine, was taken to hospital and it rose to 4+! This is my first pregnancy so of course, I was very concerned so I asked questions... I was reassured that the baby is safe and fine, I even had a scan to check! Mine was found because everything I ate and drank I threw back up, I was losing weight and was dehydrated!
I'm sure your baby will be fine, but you just make sure you keep drinking plenty of fluids! Then hopefully if you get another urine test it might go down?
The doctor should tell you if the midwife can't, and when I was in hospital and given tablets and injections, I asked if they would effect the baby... They told me that they would not give a pregnant woman medication if there is a risk to the baby! I was reassured, I hope you are too, even just a bit at least! :)