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Gestational diabetes support thread

859 replies

NoRoomForALittleOne · 29/01/2015 18:12

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...

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changingagain · 01/06/2015 09:42

Hi, I'm the same as you Maths, had the GTT on Fri after a v high amount of sugar in my wee at mw appointment and now waiting for result. Although I'll be very surprised if its negative as the finger prick test beforehand was 7.1 Sad
I've been reading this thread and the stuff on the NHS and diabetes UK websites and trying to improve my diet since the mw appointment but it's worrying not knowing if it's helping or not.

changingagain · 01/06/2015 09:44

Oh and I also hated the drink, was a can of lucazade for me and the nurse told me to down it Shock which I just couldn't.

purplebiro · 01/06/2015 11:07

Hi all - delivered yesterday and was all straightforward GD-wise, though it might be helpful to share my experience here although obviously inique to my circumstances (and hospital - St Mary's, MCR):

I had blood sugars monitored and recorded by midwife once an hour once I was in labour but no insulin after then (but I was nil by mouth so no wouldn't've had by normal insulin with meals anyway and had delivered before nightly dose).
Baby's sugars have been monitored since birth and are fine - think they need two post feed and two hour-plus after feed readings before she's discharged (struggling with the latter as she's a bit of a boob monster).
I have to monitor my sugars for 24 hours post delivery but no medication to give an early indication if the GD was just that or undiagnosed pre-existing type two (although a later follow up GTT will confirm this) - so far my sugars are completely madly normal - despite having had no insulin for two days and eaten a decent amount of celebratory carbs!

Hope this helps.

Mummyboo30 · 01/06/2015 22:59

Hi everyone, I got my GD diagnosis this morning. Fasting was only 4.8, but 2 hour result was 8.0.
I got all my appointments through this afternoon for diabetes clinic and growth scan. I'm just trying to come to terms with it really and feeling really disappointed that there's a good chance I won't get the type of birth I was hoping for.
Does anyone know what the chances are of being allowed to get to 40 weeks? I'm due on 1st sept, and I know it's not the end of the world, but I was so hoping that baby would be sept rather than August for the school year cut off.
Hopefully I'll figure out how to deal with it all soon.

changingagain · 02/06/2015 06:12

Hi Mummyboo I'm also due 1st Sept and was hoping he would arrive in the 40th week. Some pp have said induction can sometimes be left until 40.6 if you are diet controlled only and the growth scans look good.

Mummyboo30 · 02/06/2015 09:38

Fingers crossed then changing! It's nice to find a due date buddy. Smile

LIG1979 · 02/06/2015 13:38

NICE guidelines say 40+6 if diet controlled and ok growth scans. probably worth a look (and referring to it with the obstetrician) if you really want to go beyond 40 weeks.

Maths88 · 02/06/2015 17:36

I got the all clear today. Fasting 4.0 and two hour 4.9.

Good luck to those of you just starting to deal with GD

changingagain · 02/06/2015 18:20

Congratulations Purple, it's good to hear that gd didn't affect the birth too much and that you're both doing well now.
And glad you got your all clear Maths.

Mummyboo30 · 03/06/2015 10:12

Thanks LIG, that's good to know.

changingagain · 05/06/2015 15:42

I phoned up the Midwife Unit this morning as I hadn't got me test results back yet, got a call back from a diabetes nurse about an hour later asking if I could go straight in as she was free. My fasting was 4.6 which she was fine with and the 2h was 8.6.

She's given me my finger stabbing kit and shown me how to test, I'm aiming for 5.3 fasting and 7.8 1h after meals. Just done my first one after a shop bought egg mayo sandwich and got 7.7 so quite high but under target so I'm happy with it.

I'm just happy that I can stop worrying if everything I eat is ok and actually start testing if it is so I can work out what's best.

On a side note, she tested the thing with the long name and said my long term blood sugars were normal so she's confident it's GD and not un-diagnosed T2. Does anyone know how this works? I just can't fathom how a single blood test can tell what my sugars have been like for 3 months.

bunny85 · 06/06/2015 13:15

Hi girls, can I join in? I'm in quite a bad state emotionally and really didn't know where to turn to for a good advice.

I haven't been diagnosed officially yet, but yesterday my GP called me with the results of my blood test and it's pretty conclusive 13.9 blood glucose... I'm only 15.5 weeks.. I posted a thread yesterday and few ladies really helped me and reassured, however they are saying I'm most likely going to be put on medications (metformin/insulin) due to such a high reading so early. I'm in panic as I've read metformin may not be safe in pregnancy.. it's my first pg too.. Please can someone advise if there's a chance they'll try to manage me by diet alone first? I'm going out of my mind Sad Thank you all in advance

changingagain · 06/06/2015 13:30

Hi bunny, I saw the diabetes nurse yesterday and she gave me a little info about metformin and insulin as I may need them. She said that both have been used by many many pregnant women and that all the evidence is that they are safe. However, as with most medications, they aren't actually approved for use in pregnancy simply because it is unethical to carry out medical trials on pregnant women.
She said insulin is considered safer, as women with T1 diabetes have no choice but to keep using it so there is more evidence. It also has less possible side effects for the mum. But she was very clear that even if there is a tiny risk that comes with all forms of medication, it's not nearly as risky as doing nothing and letting blood sugars keep getting too high.

bunny85 · 06/06/2015 13:36

Thank you for the reply changingagain, that's nice to hear. I'm sorry you are going through this as well.

What about the diet alone? Do you also agree there's little chance I'll be allowed to manage it without medications?

changingagain · 06/06/2015 15:10

Sorry I'm not sure. From what the nurse said to me, I got the impression that it's standard practice to try everyone on diet only first but she also said that most women are diagnosed at about the same stage as I am (27 weeks) so I don't know if you would be treated differently.

What was your 13.9 from? Was it from a GTT test or just random? I got the impression that you need more than one result, such as the before and after from the GTT to see how your body is reacting and that a one off wasn't really significant on its own. The charts she showed me had a huge difference in what is expected not just between fasting and post food but at different times after food.

Have you read through this thread? It's what I did while waiting for my results and it really did calm me down a lot to read other peoples experiences, especially the ones who updated post birth.

bunny85 · 06/06/2015 15:15

Yes I have read the most of it, I'm feeling slightly better.

I wasn't asked to fast before the test, so I went in after about an hour of having a huge breakfast (I feel very hungry since I fell pg) of 5 buttered toasts. So it must have affected the result of course. My bmi is normal (I was 52kg before pg and now 57).

You gave me a bit of hope. I hope they'll do more tests and maybe allow me to just diet first..

Thanks again

longestlurkerever · 08/06/2015 14:39

Hello. Update from me. Baby Beth was born on 5 June. I was induced at 40+5 but overall that was a positive experience. I was given a room to myself for the day, had one pessary and was sent off for a walk for a while, monitoring every 4 hours. Contractions began in the evening and she was born at 3am after a dash to delivery. She was 7lb 13oz and her blood sugars were fine so they let me home the same day (think they were desperate for the bed). I am back to eating what I like and Beth is a little star. She is a bit nocturnal but then I guess stars tend to be!

Thanks for all the support and advice and good luck everyone!

Stinkylinky · 10/06/2015 08:35

Hi everyone, I had my blood test done for gestational diabetes yesterday so should hear back today or tomorrow with the results.

I'm 36+1, did anyone else find out this far on and if so what course of action was taken?

Bogwoppit22 · 11/06/2015 14:15

congrats on the birth of Baby Beth longest :-)

MrsFbabyNo1 · 11/06/2015 20:33

hi all.

At 35 weeks today, I went to mlu check up and I'm now measuring way off my growth chart. First bump measure was 50th line, second was 90th today I'm even more above 90th line. So been booked for gtt (the joys) and a growth scan next week.

I'll try not to worry too much (ok a little) til then - as mw thought could just be bump shape as while baby's head down he seems to stick bum out a fair bit and still not engaged yet.

how quick do you hear about you gtt result?

should I start lowering my sugar intake in diet now or wait and see what happens so it's a true test so to speak?

Stinkylinky · 11/06/2015 21:26

I had my GTT test on Tues, they said if I don't hear back within 48 then assume all is fine

zen1980 · 15/06/2015 19:44

Hi ladies quick question, I've been on metaformin for a few weeks now but today my diabetic nurse has given me insulin for evenings. She said to take my tablets still in the day but should I take them at night as well I got really confused trying to take it all in xSad

DownUdderer · 05/08/2015 09:42

Is anyone still posting on this thread, I have read through quite a bit and it has seemed quite helpful to me so far, I got the dreaded phone call today to say I have GD, I must admit I balled my eyes out and feel really quite disappointed that I've got it. But then I pulled myself together and happily I have found this thread. I have a hospital appointment on friday, I am in Sydney Australia so I am sure the whole system will be similar but different to the NHS.

Anyone here to keep this thread going?

OldBloodCallsToOldBlood · 05/08/2015 09:47

Hi DownUdderer. I'm newly diagnosed too, although I suspected I had it and started my own testing before I had the GTT, which confirmed it. I'm 28 weeks and about to start my metformin today.

I've been changing my diet myself and it's not been too bad. You'll be fine! Smile

scarednoob · 05/08/2015 10:00

me too. I was devastated, even though I knew it was coming as I am old and fat. it's mostly fine, but the thing that gets me down some days is when I've been really good - and the reading is still too high. 8.6 yesterday for 30grams of branflakes and a splash of skimmed milk, ffs. in what world is THAT a treat??!