Gestational Diabetes - Advice

[ameliajn]

Hi all - am new to this website but just wanted to ask if anyone had gestational diabetes in their first pregnancy (I did) and is now pregnant again? I am only 14 weeks but don't know what I should be doing or whether I should start the awful diet already? Am not having my full GTT until 25 weeks.... any advice appreciated. I did ask the midwife at my booking appt but she said just wait until the full GTT but am scared my baby will get big again early like last time!

You should start it now. (Or at least cut out sugar/refined carbohydrates)

If I were you I'd be cutting out all the obvious sugars! Cakes, chocs, biscuits, jams, etc. and anything that's mainly carbs, Pizza, most pasta dishes, biryani, risotto, chow mein, etc but if the carb is less than a third I'd still be eating at this point. So still following but not so strictly as if and when you get the diagnosis. In fact reading this back it's advice I should follow and I'm not pregnant

Congrats on number 2!!

Can you ask for an earlier GTT? In my area they test at 16 weeks if you have had it in a previous pregnancy.

Thanks all - I know I should probably be more sensible than I am being but is so hard not to eat carbs when you feel nauseous! Will speak to the midwife again at 16 weeks and will ask if they will test sooner. Can't bear the thought of that diet for the next 6 months!

Not sure if you'll find this reassuring or not but if you did have it this early you'd probably need insulin and then you don't have to be so strict.

Do u still have your glucose monitor from last time? I just got the GP to prescribe me new lancets and test strips for it and tested myself from abt 10 weeks. I did cut out sugar pretty much at that point but I found I could be much more free with carbs than I might have thought... Risotto, biryani, pasta etc all ok in moderation. I check fasting and after new meals or things I haven't had for a while. 29 weeks now and apart from a few slip ups still within the targets. Just an idea as it might put ur mind at rest and avoid being too strict if u don't need to be so early on?

I'm 31 weeks with DC2 and had GD (very borderline) with DC1. In my area they do a full GTT every four weeks from 16 weeks if you've had GD in a previous pregnancy, so I'd definitely be asking questions about better monitoring.

As it happens, I've opted to self-monitor with my glucose monitor four times a day rather than take the GTT every four weeks, as my reading were (and are again) all within limits with DC1 and I didn't need to take any additional medication. My GP has been happy to prescribe strips and lancets for me and my midwife has also been OK with my decision.

Yes I do still have glucose monitor - that is a good idea actually then can hopefully relax a bit. What were your limits set at? I can't remember what mine were - I think it was under 5.5 fasting and under 8 after meals?

My targets were under 5.5 fasting and under 7.8 one hour after meals. Hope you are pleasantly surprised OP! :)

What sister said – I'd forgotten too but handily I'd printed out something from a website and put it in the case with the monitor!

Oh, re: carbs – soya and linseed bread is your friend :) also wholegrain rice seems to be fine for me, oddly white pasta also OK although white rice really isn't. It's all trial and error.

BTW I get good readings after breakfast when I have two waffles, half a banana and some maple syrup… go figure!