Gestational diabetes support thread

[NoRoomForALittleOne]

I thought I'd start a support thread for those of us being tested, just diagnosed or being treated for GDM.

So collapse on a sofa, grab a low carb snack and come and chat about blood tests, finger pricks, diet changes, medication and birth plans...

Oh NoRoom, I'm sorry to hear that. It's so scary and also upsetting. Have they said when they would want to do the c-section? I'm assuming it would be as early as possible if the baby has grown so much?

Remember that a planned c section is infinitely preferable to an emergency one. Smaller cut, easier healing, less panic. So if that's the route you have to go, try to embrace the benefit of knowing exactly when baby will arrive and that you will have all the care you need on hand because it will have been preplanned and prepared for.

Good luck this week.

Actually a bit of googling would suggest mw is right - it's the 2 hour reading that needs to be under 7.8. Not everywhere does a 1 hour reading but if they do it needs to be under 10.

Have realised that my skin, mouth ulcers and blephartitis are already feeling better, and my urine is a more normal colour (it has often been quite dark) after only a few days of following the low gi diet. Googled mouth ulcers and blephartitis and they seem to be common diabetes symptoms so worried I may have had it for a while. Is 27 weeks an OK time to detect it?

it is Lurker, don't worry... Most places do the GTT at 28 weeks... just be aware things naturaly get worse throughout the thrird trimestre so even when you think you have it under control (ha!) you then get crap readings...

both times for me I ended up with insulin in the last month of pregnancy...

Thanks Tiny. So far so good - first after lunch reading was 6.0 even though it was huge Indian meal for dh's birthday (chose from menu carefully but still). Heartened (for now). x

She actually said the new NICE guidelines are that you don't need to be induced until 41 weeks if your blood sugars are under control with diet and the baby is growing OK and that's what they have been doing at my hospital for a while now anyway

lurker thanks so much for mentioning this, just what I wanted to hear! I am going to look this up.

noroom sorry to hear of the worries but at least you know and they are keeping a close eye out - there must be quite a few undiagnosed ladies who end up in your position and have no idea.

New NICE guidance here - date Feb 2015 so brnand new

It says that for women with "uncomplicated" GD, induction or c section should be offered (which means recommended) at 40+6. If there are maternal or fetal complications induction or c section before then should be "considered".

There are a few other interesting things in there too. for example fasting target level is set at 5.3.

That's great minipie.
Quite a lot of changes. Especially regarding timing of induction.
Also I like that they now advise having a fasting/HbA1c blood test instead of a GTT at 6 weeks post partum. Will make life a lot easier with a new baby.

Had my 1st doctors appointment. All went well - no concerns about my blood sugar even with the last couple of spikes so still diet controlled. Interestingly my bump was measured small but only very slightly 32 cm at 33+4.

Discussed birth options and looks like if things stay the same I could still use the mlu but will definitely need to stay post birth for 24 hours . No monitoring or sliding scale during labour or monitoring for me but they will want to monitor ds post birth and normal monitoring of ds during birth. Will consider induction at 40 weeks but not before which I am ok about. Now considering an epidural if I have to stay in anyway.

Got another appointment at 36 weeks with a growth scan so will have to see what happens till then. But it was pleasantly reassuring.

Lurker - the 6.0 sounds good and I have found with Indian's they are quite easy to stay within target as long as you stay away from naan bread. They tend to use basmati rice which is medium gi (versus stick thai rice which is very high).

Noroom - sorry your visit wasn't a better one. It must be very upsetting. I hope you are feeling better today.

Mini pie - thanks for the nice guidelines - I need to print it out for my hospital bag!

I was also reminded today that it was a medical condition rather than failing my gtt and messing up and going out of target. I think I do need to think that way rather than being angry with myself. When I got a high reading on Sunday with something I had eaten before and been very under target I was really angry with myself for quite some time.

Well done minipie for linking to the new NICE guidelines! I read through them earlier and they seem to be good. I picked up on the fasting target being below 5.3 as well.

The annoying thing for me personally is that I fall in to the group of women who should be considered for an earlier induction/ELCS, but.... There is no guidance as to when that should be. Whereas type 1 diabetics are to be induced between 37-38+6. So does the change mean that there is no longer a 'lower limit' for induction. I'm wondering if I could be induced at 37 weeks rather than ELCS at 38 weeks?

Fasting at 5.3 means I am stuffed again... But last time the doctors didn't pick up on that and were OK with the 5.5s...

LIG that's amazing that you're allowed MLU and no monitoring during birth. does that mean no blood sugar monitoring and no heartbeat monitoring? I have been told both needed (but sliding scale v unlikely) and no MLU. I wonder why they are giving me different answers...

noroom I know, it's annoyingly vague for your group... I guess because it depends what risks/issues are showing up. I imagine what they will recommend depends on the next scan or 2?

I know that it depends on the next scan or two. I prefer to plan ahead! I guess it's the loss of control and what I thought would happen that I'm struggling with (plus maybe the major abdominal surgery )

Ooh, glad reference to new guidelines was helpful. LIG I would love to still have a chance at mlu and birth pool. Thanks for beacon of hope! And great re indian food. Is my favourite! Pasta dinner less good though at 7.5 but I guess I was pushing it with white pasta and cheesy sauce. Will try some different combinations.

I think the idea of the new guidelines is that the dates should be more tailored to individual circumstances noroom so your consultant should advise on what is best for you rather than hiding behind the guidelines.

Do you know what? I'm only 32 weeks tomorrow but I am so uncomfortable and having so many niggly pains that I'd happily give birth now. Of course, I don't want a premmie (had one before so I know that I really don't want one) but i am so ready now to no longer feel ill, uncomfortable and battered.

4.8 fasting. That's more like it...

Well done! Mine is 5.6 and that's better than yesterday's 5.8. I hate to think what it would be without insulin. Today is the first day of pre-breakfast indulin for me...

Oh, why does my phone autocorrect insulin????

Morning all!
Went to have final growth scan and appt with diabetic midwife and I'm being induced at 39 weeks. I will be able to be monitored wirelessly and waterproofed so can walk around and use birth pool for first stage labour with actual delivery on dry land!
Even tho I've been able to control my GD thru diet alone, baby is still very big at 37 weeks hence decision to induce. I'm 5'11" and big babies run in our family but he's 8lbs already so they're being cautious I think.
Feel strangely reassured by date and process, mw was fantastic...so fingers crossed all good.
Will have to stay overnight after birth, there are private rooms in postnatal for £35 which I think will be Worth it but other than that keeping positive and excited to see the Buddha.

On another note have perfected my hi fibre breakfast muffin recipe and am quite capable of polishing off three a day without spikes. Recipe available if interst!

Yesterday and the day before also had 5.6 NoRoom
There is no rhyme nor reason...

for breakfast I now do one muller light and two babybels... no carbs allowed by my blooming body!

I would be interested in the muffin recipe please elliz. That's great news about the pool. Will find out if my hospital can offer that. Glad you're feeling reassured.

Elli would you post the muffin recipe?

I'm on it!

Ok here goes. It's amazing how I would quite easily blather on about 'not having a sweet tooth' and then immediately crave sweet stuff the moment i was diagnosed! I found these really hit the spot as there's no refined sugar in them, but lots of fibre sweetness.

I've tried various versions of the below (and please let me know what works or doesn't for you). And I've sent this to my diabetic midwife too!

Good with butter when they’re less fresh.

200g wholewheat self raising flour
75g rolled oats
2.5tsp cinnamon
[you could add another spice like ginger to this if interested]
1 tsp salt
1.5tsp bicarb of soda
1.5tsp baking powder

4tbsp [generous measures] agave nectar/runny honey
3tbsp rapeseed / sunflower / vegetable oil
2 ripe bananas mashed
150g apple sauce [bought from Tesco in the condiments aisle, but I think you can make your own or use apple pureed in baby food section? just check it's majority fruit and not much added sugar]
2 large eggs, beaten
250ml milk

200g fresh blueberries
100g dried cranberries/raisins/sultanas/currents
100g chopped dates
100g chopped hazelnuts
you can also add coconut or dark chocolate pieces if you like, the recipe is pretty robust..

Pre heat oven to 180 fan/200 normal. Prepare around 15 muffin cases in a tray.
Mix all the dry ingredients together, add the combined wet ingredients and then fold in the fruit. Don’t over mix.
Cook for 25-30 mins. Enjoy!

Sounds great, thanks.

Tip for others with muffins - weed to make batter and keep in fridge. Stir through and bake in morning. Fresh muffins every day!

Weed muffins?! Nice one Working!