Anyone with gestational diabetes?? Advice needed

[MissTweed]

I'm 28w+4 and classed as high risk for gestational diabetes because of family history. My next MW appointment is this week and I'll be 29W. I knew that I would be having a GTT because of the risk factors but was told the MW organises this.

I went to the GP on Friday (about something else) and they phoned later to say that there was something in my urine and was being sent off for analysis to micro. I'm from (limited) medical background and know this means they found leukocytes (indicating urinary tract infection) I was at work today and tested my own urine (we have a machine). I found that I have very high leukocytes (I already expected that) but also high glucose which was 5 hours after I had eaten. I know the implications of gestational diabetes and know that its something that needs to be very closely monitored/controlled.

I phoned my GP and asked to speak to the duty Dr. I explained everything and they said yes I needed a GTT and that the receptionist would phone me with appointment. The receptionist phoned and the next available appointment is in 10 days time!!!

I'm pissed off! I read that you are supposed to have GTT between 24-28w if in the risk category! In 10 days I will be 30w and that's only because I've demanded it myself. I don't think I should be waiting 10 days?? I spoke to the Dr again and she said that she's stuck between a rock and a hard place because they are very busy so advised me to phone the antenatal clinic in the morning. I asked her what would happen if I did have it and she said that I (and baby) would immediately be monitored etc ...... So why make me wait 10 days for an appointment??

My question to you guys... What happened after you were diagnosed?? In terms of time frames etc? If not a lot then I'll relax a bit but if immediate action was taken then I'm going to do some serious kicking off tomorrow.

Sorry for the long post but I'm just worried for my baby

Once you are diagnosed you are usually seen very quickly by the diabetic team and given advice on diet and asked to monitor your blood glucose for a week. At least, that's been my experience in two pregnancies in two different hospitals.

You could maybe speed things up slightly by asking if the GTT can be done at your GPs, the nurse at mine does them out of pregnancy. I've had them done during pregnancy by midwives at either the GP or hospital, so depending on which option you're being offered, you could ask if there is an alternative?

I would try not to worry too much though. You can eat as though you have GD now by cutting out obviously processed sugary foods and sticking to carbs from low GI sources if you want to, but most monitoring of GD takes place in the last weeks of pregnancy or after 30 weeks anyway.

Thank you. It was the GP that I spoke to today that couldn't help and could only give an appointment for 10 days time.
I've looked in my notes and it doesn't mention anywhere about me having a GTT (the box is ticked to say about my dad) surely it should be on the same page as the written list of things/appointments to do?? I'm just pissed off thinking that this has been missed

I wasn't diagnosed until 34 Weeks but I'd obviously had it much longer but I had none of the risk factors so it want mentioned until I was measuring large. I would just cut back on high sugar products just now and eat healthy until you can be seen!

I don't want to alarm or annoy but I had my GTT at my hospital last Tuesday and was told to call back in 48 hrs to get the results. I got a phone all at 8:30pm on Tuesday night to tell me it was positive and I needed to come in for an appt on the Thursday morning!

It turns out my levels were only just slightly elevated above their limits, but made me panick!

I've been given a test kit (finger prick) and a diary to monitor my levels as normal without any diet changes for 2 weeks. I have a clinic appt with a dietician, endocrinologist and midwife next Thursday to discuss the fluctuations and management.

I'm sure it will be gone for you and your baby, but I'd be royally pissed off if I had to fight the way you are just to get something you're meant to be having!!

Hth

I had a high blood sugar reading at 28 week bloods, and have my GTT today, I'll be 30+3. I have cut out sugary food such as cake, chocs etc as a precaution while waiting for the GTT. I completely agree with you that your GTT should have been booked earlier as you had risk factors. I would have a moan if I were you.

Got midwife appointment this morning so hopefully get stuff organised. I'll definitely have a moan!! I tested my urine again yesterday (also 4-5hrs after food) and my glucose was normal but my ketones were sky high!! I'm either over compensating and not eating enough sugar/carbs or my glucose control is seriously out of control!! I felt like I had a massive low blood sugar crash last night (feint/dizzy) but didn't want to eat something sugary in case I am diabetic!! I seriously need done answers and soon

You do need to eat enough carbs. Around 200g a day is what I have been told by two different dieticians. (40g breakfast, 50g each lunch and dinner and then 3 snacks of 10-15g of carbs each) Using wholemeal bread and having snacks such as oatcakes with cheese on as snacks will help with blood sugar. Ketones are certainly more dangerous than high blood glucose.

Speak to the midwife as it sounds like she has dropped the ball on getting your gtt organised. Does your dad have a glucose monitor you could borrow for a few days? If you can get hold of one try testing your blood sugar first thing in the morning (should be below 5.9) then 1hr after meals (should be below 7.9). Should give you a good indication of whether you have gd or not. There aren't usually any symptoms and urine isn't a great way of measuring sugars so I wouldn't be too concerned. Quite possible yours are just pregnancy/uti symptoms.