anyone else with gestational diabetes?

[Shakshuka]

I saw from searching that there used to be some threads but nothing current.

I've just started monitoring my blood sugars and it's hard going. I was shocked that my numbers were as high as they were because I was only borderline on the gtt. I thought I was eating pretty low carb already and I already have trace ketones so don't want to cut carbs further. I'll have to do some tweaking!

Anyone else going through this?

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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

It didn't taste sweet at all! It was a broth with seafood and veggies. Maybe it was the stress of being in Manhattan with the kids!

I made an oatbran porridge with almond milk for breakfast last week. 25g of carbs in it and added nuts for protein/fat. It gave me my highest reading ever - 9.2!! So I'm not going near oats until this is over!!!! It's funny that even foods that I'd usually consider healthy are off limits now.

I spoke with my ob about their protocol for GD and I was pleased that they're pretty relaxed and sensible and go by the scans/non stress tests and how well controlled the GD is so there's no blanket induction at 39 weeks. She was even talking about 41 weeks but I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that because of the age factor as well.

How far along are you gw?

I wonder if sisterofcaleb has had her baby?! She's full term now!

Saw my ob last week and he said they won't let me go over term irrespective of how well the diet goes. But wouldn't say anything else until I've had a growth scan which is Tuesday. Looking forward to seeing lo again

Hi Shakshuka. I only use jumbo oats. I don't know what oatbran is!! I am 14 weeks so I've got ages to go.

GW
Oatbran is just the bran of the oats - supposed to be very low GI and quite tasty as a porridge. Maybe I needed more protein/fat with it. But I've got a few breakfasts that work for me so I'll stick with them. If i were 14 weeks I'd probably try experimenting more but at 32 weeks it's not too long to go to stick with tried and tested.

Good luck for your growth scan on Tuesday Jen. I'm having one on wednesday and feeling a bit nervous althoguh they told me that the baby wasn't measuring big at the 20 week scan (feeling slightly guilty about my trip to Paris at 21 weeks which was a major carb fest!!)

Ah hello! I missed these posts the thread dropped off my list. GW I've been monitoring since 10 weeks and I thought it would be a real burden but actually having that time has allowed me to get really used to eating in a different way and there are aspects of it we are really enjoying as a family. So hang in there :)

I also just stick to a couple breakfasts, mainly cos I dont like breakfast all that much! Just water to drink then either full fat Greek yoghurt with Brazil nuts and berries and a slice of burgen abt an hour later, or almond pancakes. We are addicted to those!

No baby yet shak! Am 40 weeks on Friday. My son was forced out at 42+2 so not expecting any time soon...maybe during Wimbledon tennis. I feel very well though, so not in any hurry. Both times my body is actually much better at late pregnancy than the first tri!!

Hope all the scans go well.

Hats off to you guys for dealing with this for so long.

I'm the same as you sister. Third tri is much easier for me than the first. I mean, I get all the niggles, aches and discomfort (and now this GD!) and physical tiredness that go along with late pregnancy but nothing, absolutely nothing, is as bad as the constant nausea and mental exhaustion of the first tri.

I actually cried yesterday over food. I'd bought some creme fraiche in the morning which I can have with my berries and gives me a good number. My MIL is staying with us right now. I come downstairs and see her double dipping her spoon into the tub! Sure, take some if you want, but don't double dip!!! Didn't help that DH thought it was funny. I'd been so looking forward to my treat! And now I'm wondering what else she's been double dipping into....

Hi I've skimmed most of this thread I was diagnosed late (33wks) with gd - am 37weeks now trying to keep off insulin as I think it will mean earlier induction but am really failing on the breakfast score... All my other bloods are fine now but breakfast is a pain find it really hard to get any protein as don't do eggs (or nuts really). Frustrating as I have been having the same things & then get a sudden random high one. Lately been having oats with cinnamon fine until 8.5 this am out of nowhere. Dreading my appointment tomorrow now.

Have you tried protein shakes ric? Either you can buy them ready, like Atkins, or you can make your own with whey protein which you can get in specialist shops and then add in some yoghurt, peanut butter, milk of some kind depending on what you can have, maybe some fruit if you can tolerate it. You might need more protein or fat with the oats to stop it spiking you.

Thanks Shakshuka I might well try that I was looking at protein bar things the other day but didn't think of the shakes I think that is why my other meals are ok I just eat loads of protein & some carbs. It's frustrating I had a rubbish long slow labour with every intervention short of an emcs with dd & I am hoping to give this baby a chance to come on its own time (though it & my safety are most important)

You probably know this already but going for a walk after meals really helps keep the 1 hour blood sugar levels in check. Even 10 minutes makes a difference.

It's a total PITA but worth it if it for me if I can hold off having to take more meds - I have a dog though who thinks my GD is the best thing that ever happened to him! Wouldn't be surprised if I caught him secretly sprinkling sugar on to my meals :)

Second the random results ric. I've been having natural yoghurt with berries for breakfast and then yesterday randomly 7.9. Did noodles with stir fry for dinner and that didn't work either despite walking afterwards. I guess I will be living on salad and hummus for the next 8 weeks.

I saw dietician today (we have a gd pregnancy clinic on Tuesdays) who said up the protein at breakfast (& reduce the carbs) & see what happens weds - Friday... Which has roughly been what diabetic team has said for the last three weeks although their low carb options don't really seem to work for me. In some ways I think I'd just take the insulin now as all the stressing about the numbers is driving me mad; not that that would go away but at least it wouldn't feel like this threat hanging over me all the time it would have happened But then it would probably change birth plan. At moment ob team are fine for me to go to 41 weeks... Dd was 41+3.

Im 38+5 and have been doing Blood glucose monitoring since last week. I had a scan at 36/40 (offered to me as I'm a member of staff). They found increased fluid volume and EFW on 98th centile so suggested fasting glucose and HBA1C. Fasting was 5.9 and HBA1C was 40, so in view of the whole clinical picture wanted a week of BG monitoring. Generally they are all okay bar two readings, and I haven't really changed my diet. I'm back for review of Thursday morning and praying diabetic midwife is happy with my results so I can stop everything and be left alone to hopefully spontaneously labour by 42/40.

Well done everyone whose been at this for weeks and months, truly rubbish.

How did your review go mummymiwdwife?

ric how are your post breakfast numbers?

I had my growth scan yesterday and really happy that baby's size is just about what it should be. The doctor said all looks great and I should only come back in 4 weeks when I'll be nearly 37 weeks.

The fly in the ointment is that I woke to a fasting of 5.6, way above target. I think it's because I hardly slept last night. We're moving house tomorrow and I was stressing about all the things we still have to do. I might have to accept that until we move my numbers will be high!

I have had a couple of good mornings (hurrah)... But have been here before so don't want to assume it is sorted as it's always then I get hit with a random high 7 or 8. shakshuka Glad your growth scan was good - I have a quick I.e size only one on Monday (38 weeks) hopefully will show consistent growth too.

ric
I think, like Jen said, the key word is random! My post-breakfasts are usually good, one morning I got a 9.1, out of the blue. I'm not sure if it was what i ate (as I'm not trying it again, just in case, i can manage for 7 weeks!) or just random factors. It's really not an exact science!!

Time I joined this thread I think! I had GD with my two previous pregnancies (diagnosed around 28 weeks or so) and have two clear GTTs so far this pregnancy (9 and 20 weeks).

I've been feeling quite tired after meals recently, which rang a few alarm bells, and fortunately still have the monitor and test strips from my last pregnancy. Tested today (22 weeks) and I had a fasting reading of 6.6 and post-breakfast was 7.9. My fasting readings were always the ones I struggled with in my previous pregnancies. I'm going to monitor over the weekend, eating normally today and then start reducing carbs if my readings are high and I guess contact my midwife on Monday if my readings are consistently bad - I don't have any appointments for the next 6 weeks until my next GTT booked at 28 weeks.

I may have had a farewell slice of tarte au citron though.

Enjoy it magic!

Hi had scan Monday - growth normal (still a big baby but not escalating), induction booked for 7th July (edd) still hoping might show up of own accord. Hope everyone is good & welcome Magic - although hope you might still escape.

Oh, that's good news RicStar - I had my first slightly irrational sleepless night worrying about a massive baby again, even though my previous GD pregnancies produced a 5 lb 4 (ok, this was at 34 weeks) and a 8 lb 3 at 38.

Well, I tested all weekend, post meal was within range but fasting always high, phoned the midwife and I've been a total plum and was testing with strips that were over a year out of date. I'm a little bit annoyed though as she was very dismissive about it and said just to wait until my GTT at 28 weeks, although apparently if I am very concerned I'm to book to see the midwife for a random blood glucose sample.

I've ordered some new test strips anyway as I do still want to be in control if possible, with DS I had a GTT at 28 weeks and they put me straight on insulin as my readings were so high.

mummymidwife87 how did it go? HBA1C was very high right? Or was it in different units?

sistercaleb I find it burden already because I had to do it during my last pregnancy. In the end I was eating very miserable food! So I know what is coming even though I have got a while. (Porridge with no milk towards the end was grim) at the moment I am just watching portion size and cutting out the problem foods as I find them.

shakshuka good luck with move. I hope it goes well.

I had Chinese twice at the weekend. One went well (we did walk afterwards) the other one gave me a really high reading because I are too much and it was probably too sweet.

Also am not taking enough readings and my doctor gave me a look. I knew I hadn't taken enough readings. DH thinks I should set alarms but I think I would just find it stressful.

Gwlondon I remember the misery of the food last time, I would find a breakfast and lunch that would work and then just end up having the same thing day after day.

So, my in date test strips arrived today and I had a high fasting reading this morning as well. I'm going to monitor for a week though, as the midwife I spoke to was so dismissive on Monday I've been put off contacting them.

Hello everyone,

Just thought I would quickly update and hope particularly that shakshuka spots this!

We were delighted to welcome into the world on 1st July a little DD :) She was born at 41+4 gestation, at home in the birth pool. Infact she was born without assistance as I was in denial I was in labour so we called the midwife about 7 minutes before the head emerged!

She was 8lbs 5oz. My placenta was lovely and healthy looking and so is she. Her blood sugars were stable and in great shape (3.5 and 3.7).

I realise from threads on mumsnet that I was very blessed that my GD (never formally diagnosed due to my wish to monitor myself) was able to be controlled through diet alone, and appears to have had no effect on her whatsoever.

I can categorically state that 31 week of eating very very carefully and all those many finger pricks were more than worth it :) I hope to get the all clear for myself in an OGTT in 6 weeks time. In the mean time I have gone carb crazy!!

Hope the rest of you are doing well?

Congrats sister!

Lovely news. So glad it all went well!!

Enjoy your baby and your carb fest :)