The new thread for those with gestational diabetes?

[happycamel]

Just seen that someone has resurrected an old GD support thread. I'm newly diagnosed and would really appreciate a thread where women with GD (or people worried about it) can get support and advice from mothers who had it when they were pg or still have it now.

Jump on board if you feel it's relevant to you.

I've got my first clinic appointment with the diabetic midwife tomorrow so will report back then.

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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

happy don;t worry about falling off the wagon occasionally we all do - I only have to test every other day at the moment and its hard not to think of it as the "day off" when i can eat bad stuff cos I won't get caught out with high readings, but as you say, thats not really the idea!
My induction actually technically lasted 5 days - the first pessary was on the tues am, second on tues pm, 3rd on wed am and then because nothing was really happening and they didn't have a delivery room free to put me on the drip I was sent home on the thurs am but then my waters broke. Back in on the thurs pm but still no contractions and they didn't find me a delivery room and put me on the drip until fri PM. By sat morning I had been on it for about 14 hours, lots of painful contractions but only about 4cm dilated when finally a consultant made the call that enough was enough a gave me CS. What pissed me off so much was the insistence that I wasn't allowed to go overdue but then I did in effect go nearly a week over and I wasn't considered urgent enough to deal with sooner than the saturday. Either its important not to go overdue or it isn't!

happycamel I'm worried I'll have some kind of reaction to the induction hormones too - my hormones are crazy in general and I can't take any contraceptive pills etc due to the hormones and how they affect me. I've been researching induction this weekend (have an apt on thursday to discuss my induction 'plan' whatever that is) and got myself a bit freaked out about it, but then, I'm freaked out by the whole labour thing in any case! trixie your story sounds re: induction. Although I don't exactly want a csec I'm wondering if they might end out offering me one due to massive baby size (nearly 9 lbs estimated at 36 weeks already) and that I've had very milk pgp/spd which has been getting quite painful lately and I've read large baby hed size and spd don't mix well with a vaginal delivery. Anyone know anything re: this?

Am now 38 weeks today :)

Re: oral thrush I've never had that but I've had pretty much permenant vaginal thrush throughout pg. I've been using a cream for it so I imagine there must be sth for oral thrush they can give you.

slowangels I don't know for sure but bearing in mind a CS is a major op and has implications for future pregnancies I would imagine they'll let you try for a normal birth. Lots of people do have big babies vaginally. My induction was fairly drawn out but mostly it was just boring and annoying - it was only really painful when I was on the drip so don;t let it faze you too much. However it happens, 99.9% all eventually turn out ok and you have a gorgeous bubba to take home!

Thanks trixie. Think I have a real fear of giving birth - have barely even been able to read the sections in my pg book on it as I end out in tears and paniking, so, the thought of even a major op doesn't seem as terrifying as usually it would IYKWIM. Equally I'm a complete germ phobe and HATE hospitals so hanging around in one waiting for labour to kick in for days on end would be pretty nasty in itself. Just keep trying to focus on the LO I get in the end :)

trixie did you get any say/choice in how you were induced or did you have to go along with your hospitals norm?

My Mum tells me she was induced with me and had me 4 hours after the pessary...so I'm keeping positive if I end out in that route that I might not take days.

slowangels - I think that's all you can do, just focus on the baby. Birth, however it happens, is only a means to an end after all!

I've spoken to the diabetic clinic at the hospital and they said not to worry about my strange high reading before bed the other day, as long as it isn't happening regularly. So I'm feeling better about it, and I'm seeing the specialist midwife this week anyway.

please try not to worry slowangels all births are different and there is really no point in worrying about it as you can't do much really. I did do as I was told with DS but this time round I have been much more assertive so far and told them that I won;t be induced, that if they insist DC has to be born NOW then it'll be an ELCS or they can let me go overdue - if the scans and blood sugar readings are ok I will be arguing for that. You don't HAVE to agree to anything but 1st time round its hard to feel in a position to argue. What you CAN do though is ask them to explain carefully to you why YOUR exact circumstances merit the treatment or birth option they are pushing for an not let them fob you off with the "thats what we do for GD mothers" policy line.

thanks trixie but I think they will be completely substantiated in inducing me as they were happy to leave me go in to labour normally despite GD, it's only as a growth scan showed a massive growth spurt and baby was estimated at nearly 9lbs at 36 weeks that induction is now being discussed - I can see why they won't let me go beyond EDD/induce early as the bigger she gets the harder it might be to deliver (and btw I know scans can be inaccurate - I've been told even if the scan was the most inaccurate it could have been then it will still be big baby!). Scan on thurs and then pending results a discussion on induction plan - wish me luck and will let you know how I get on

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd share my experience and wondered if anyone else has had similar experience. I'm so worried and annoyed with my hospital. At 31 weeks growth scan showed that baby was in 95th centile. I asked a consultant and a midwive could this mean diabetes and both said no. Asked at 28th weeks for GTT and was told that due to my ethnicity and not much weight gain I wasn't considered to need one. What a great way of making a diagnosis!!! At 36 week midwife app sugars were found in urine so had GTT test done that week. Phoned for results 2 days later and was told they wouldn't be ready and that patients shouldn't call for results! They'd phone me if there was something wrong and if there was no call all was clear. Well, yesyerday went for 38 week app 10 days after test amd told I have GD.I was in such shock because trusted doctors and midwives but they have just fobbed me off all the way. My urine sample was fine yesterday so just shows that these tests are not reliable. I'm so wooried that I've had this for ages and about the impact that it's had on the baby. Have a meeting tomorrow with a consultant but feel so upset I just don't thing I could even string a sentence together without blubbering.:( Worried they'll go on inductions, but just don't know what to expect. Been trying to find out information so that I'm ready. I'd appreciate any help or advice. Thanks

gosh sharonam sounds like you've had a rubbish time with mws etc. FWIW, I didn't seem to get GD until I was about 33 weeks, so, the GTT would have been clear if I'd have had it at the recommended 28ish week time scale - I believe it can come on at any time. I'm also sure I've read glucose in urine is a very inaccurate way of diagnosing/telling if someone has GD.

At your growth scan was the abdominal circumference alot bigger than any other measurement? My diabetic nurse said if the tummy is measuring alot bigger than the rest of the body this is a key indicator/alert that mother might have GD.

Have you got an appointment to see a diabetic nurse or anyone to help you with what impact this might have and what you should be doing diet wise? (not sure how knowledgable consultant is on this).

I've been told at my hospital they treat people with GD in labour exactly the same except they monitor blood sugar levels to check they don't get too high and will insulin via IV if needed. Because my LO has measured off the scale massive suddenly they are telling me they won't let me go beyond 40 weeks due to big size, but they are leaving me for a couple of weeks before another scan before deciding on the best plan.

Diet wise I've been told choose slow release carbs (like wholegrain) and lots of veg. Try to stagger fruit through the day and avoid sugary things. Tbh I haven't been as strict as others on here seem to be - I can still sneek half a wispa every now and again and eat ceral with some sugar in (like corn flakes), but, my sugar levels usually arn't too high if over normal, so I think I must have it very mildly/borderline.

Hope that helps.

Hi slowangels1. Thanks so much for your advice. It has helped me. At my growth scan the AC was a lot bigger, They told me this was common. Wish I'd questioned it a bit more now. Have got an app with diabetic nurse on thursday. I'll be nearly 39 weeks! Just so much to get my head round in such a short time. Have been eating so many sweet things. Wish i'd known.
When are you due? Hope that everything going well for you.

shanonam I'm 38 weeks and they only picked up big size of baby when I was 36.5 weeks. I've eaten rubbish before that too - I have had terrible nausea and it has been a case of eating what I can manage - which in the first trimester was mainly jam sandwiches and crisps . Since then it's still a case of what I can manage and I know my diet has been utterly terirble. At least they know beforehand so they can keep an eye on baby and you and probably won't let you go voer due date like me (?).

That sounds like me. Have had terrible nausea too so went for what i could face eating rather than healthy stuff! When i think back to what I've eaten. You're right though, least they will keep more of an eye on things during labour. I'll let you know what they say about due date.

Hi Sharonam so sorry to hear about your late diagnosis. Don't worry it's unlikely to negatively impact your baby apart from it having a big tummy. The major risks around undiagnosed GD for the LO are in labour and after birth (still birth rate is a bit higher because the placenta can fail earlier and failure to treat low blood sugar in baby after it is born because it isn't routinely checked).

Try not to panic, now you've been diagnosed your hospital will make sure that you and baby are monitored more closely. At my hospital my consultant won't let us go over 40 weeks and she says her still birth rate in GD mothers is almost identical to non GD mums. Having said that, I know Trixie on this thread is planning for expectant management or ELCS this time because her GD is well controlled.

On page 1 of this thread I typed up my notes from the 3 hours class my diabetic midwife and consultant did the other week, you might find that helpful. Do please ask any other questions. I'm happy to ask my DMW any questions if you aren't confident in yours.

Slowangels' dietary advice is spot on; you're basically aiming for a low GI diet. Try not to have high GI things (usually things that are processed and white or light coloured so sweets, white bread, cake, crisps and also sugary drinks) on their own. If you need a treat then have something low GI immediately before it to slow the rate of digestion down. So pudding straight after a meal is less bad than a bag of sweets on its own. Yogurts, especially the lower sugar ones are good sweet treats.

Try not to worry too much if you do need induction. Lots of women end up having it anyway for going overdue, they'd just be doing it a bit earlier for you maybe.

Good luck

bump

Hi Happycamel. Thank you so much for your advice. I read your notes and I have to say they have informed me more than my conversation with consultant. he was nice but didn't seem to take my situation very seriously. I asked about all the risks for baby and he said that because of late diagnosis they are low. Yeah, but when did it all really start I'm thinking to myself. He didn't seem at all bothered about doing an induction. Just felt my stomach and said didn't think baby was too big. You seem to have had a very thorough consultant. I have an appointment with a diabetic nurse tomorrow so I'll see what she says!
Good luck with everything. I see you have about 7 and a half weeks to go. It will fly by. All the effort will be worth it. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again for your support. Take care.

Hi Sharonam, you're welcome for the advice, I'm glad it helps.

I'm very lucky to be at Frimley Park Hospital which is one of the best maternity hospitals in the south and have an excellent consultant. I've been so happy with the care I've received so far (I was already on Consultant led care because of my allergy and immune problems) and it makes me sad and angry that the standards aren't the same everywhere.

Good luck with your midwife appointment, let us know how it goes and, if you wouldn't mind, type up any generic advice so that we can all learn from each other.

Sharonam - hope your appointment goes well tomorrow.

I saw my consultant and had a growth scan today, and the baby's tummy is getting bigger. Estimated weight today was 5lbs8oz so I've got another scan in 2 weeks to check again and then decide on a birth plan.

Has anyone else found that if they are poorly their sugar readings go higher? It's just that I've had slightly higher than I would expect readings today - and I've got a stinking cold! Wondering if the two are related, as I know that Type IIs sugars go all over the place when they are ill.

Anyway I shall as the diabetic midwife when I see her tomorrow.

ali my diabetic nurse told me illness can make readings spike, as can IBS (as I discovered when I suffered a bout a couple of weeks ago) so try not to worry too much.

Got my 38 week growth scan this morning and am so nervous as to what they'll say/plan for me induction wise and how big she'll be

Hi everyone. Ali and slowangels hope your app/scan went well. Had meeting with midwife at diabetic clinic. She was was so good at explaining things. Much more helpful than consultant. I've got to do the finger stabbing too. Did it at lunch time but was very wary of what I ate. Was ok this time, but got to see what happens at other times of day now. Still trying to get my head around all this.
Happycamel, the advice she gave me is really similar to what you typed up from your app.I have an app next Thursday with her and a scan then too. She said I will need to be induced on due date if nothing happens beforehand. Like everyone else I worry about how risks have increased. Just got to keep doing those kick counts!

bump

sorry taken me ages to reply. Had scan on thurs at in 2 weeks baby (luckily) not another grwoth spurt. She's now estimated 9lb3 when I was 38 weeks. I've been booked in for induction next monday (my due date) as they are worried if I go beyond due date she will get too big. I admit I'm very scared about the induction (but then I'm scared about birth full stop) but I suppose at least I have an end date in sight and know this time next week I'll be very near the end of pg. No mention of a sweep to get me hurried up though which I thought odd - I thought they'd try and get me started more naturally if they could.

Hi Slowangels, good to hear that your baby's growth has slowed a bit. Good luck with the induction, do let us know how it goes and keep in touch before then too.

I had my diabetic clinic appt today (33 weeks). Baby's growth has also slowed right down, it's put on half the weight it was supposed to in the last three weeks and now they're more worried about that than how well I'm controlling my diabetes!

I've got another clinic appt and my anti D in two weeks and then a scan the week after. I've been told to keep a close eye on baby movements though and not hesitate to go in if they slow down.

It was all a bit confusing in a way, I was expecting to be concerned about a big baby but we seem to be thinking about a failing placenta or me not balancing calories and blood sugar properly. I've been told not to change my diet though because they don't want my blood sugar being less well controlled and it could just be the growth normalising when it was a bit quick before.

Good luck everyone, with your next appointment.

Hi all, and bump for crazymiracle

slowangels - that's good news about the growth :) You will be fine with the induction. I was induced with DS, and I won't try and pretend it was pleasant but it's a means to an end and this time next week you will have your beautiful baby!

happycamel - if you are controlling really well then perhaps you aren't producing much insulin and so the growth is normal rather than what they expect for GD at this stage?

My readings have been really low over the weekend and yesterday, they are definitely better when I'm not so tired and stressed out.
I've decided to try and nap for a few minutes in the afternoon while DS watches TV in my bed - I'm thinking back longingly to the lovely naps I had on maternity leave when I was expecting DS :)

mmm naps! I have started a bit of a habit of putting DS (18months) in with his childminder for an extra day here there and there when I am not at work just so I can sleep and do a few things without having to worry about him. 2nd pregnancy much tougher in this regard.

happy camel what a shock - keep us updated and hope all goes well.

to the naps - must be so hard when you have another dc.