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...

hi cheezypeas - mine were about the same, although the mini GTT was a horrid 11.0. I was in a rush as I was going on holiday and didn't want to wait 2 weeks for a diagnosis, so paid for full private tests/diagnosis. the full GTT came back at about 7.6 I think.

the conclusion was: technically you don't have it - but it could happen any day, and we should act as if you do, given the risk to the baby. and indeed, looking at my daily readings, which veer from 4.1 - 8.6 (to be fair that was after being really cheeky and trying a takeaway curry [no rice but half a naan]), and the fact that my amniotic fluid was slightly high/baby's tummy was slightly fat, I think this was absolutely the right decision for me.

you have to go with what your care provider recommends for you, but it might be worth asking them some questions as you were so on the borderline?

the other interesting thing the private endocrinologist told me was that they are looking at reducing the current level at which they diagnose it. however, they are concerned that this will lead to a massive influx in people being diagnosed, so are weighing this up against the number of babies being born too big or with blood sugar issues etc.

Thank you scarednoob! Reassured that no glucose in wee yesterday and the fact that at 27 week scan baby was measuring smaller end of normal range and tummy measurement was in line with everything else. Bump also not measuring big. Think I'll keep following thread for general diet advice and have a word with mw too for her view. After initial relief, i am kind of surprised now I wasn't flagged as at least being borderline. Desperately want to avoid any issues though as I want water birth and that is only for low risk ....

I think just talk to your mw and keep an eye on it. the annoying thing is, just because you don't have it now, doesn't mean it won't develop next week if there are signs that your pancreas is struggling a bit. but equally, a bit of exercise and just really small easy changes like wholegrain bread instead of white might reduce it. hopefully you'll get your waterbirth!

Is there anyone who can answer my metformin question from a bit further upthread? I need reassurance that I'm taking it at the right time, i.e. before bed to reduce morning fasting levels (in theory! It worked with yesterday's fasting and got it below 5, but today's was 5.9).

My levels without metformin start high in the morning and creep up throughout the day. I think I need to add in a second dose mid-afternoon to try and bring down tea/supper.

oldblood - on the metformin, i think you should speak to your diabetes clinic - my guess would be that what works for someone might not work for you, as blood sugars are annoyingly unpredictable, so better to have a professional confirm.

i have the tablets but haven't taken any yet as most readings are within target; however, the mw did say that if morning readings were too high, i would start with half a tablet at dinner time the night before.

Yeah, my team were a bit cavalier in the advice they gave, which was 'Just see what happens and try different things'. I'm back there on Tuesday and I've been keeping a meticulous food/BG/medication diary so they should be able to see from that.

that's a bit annoying. I hate it when you get vague advice! if you're being good with what you're eating/doing, it should be absolutely fine to ask for more details on Tuesday. don't go until you're happy with the answers!!

also, if it helps, when I went privately for my diagnosis, ok it was v expensive overall in terms of all the blood tests/obstetrician/endocrinologist appointments, but the private diabetes dietician was only about £100 to come round to my flat and sit with me for about 90 mins going through everything - you could always try and get some advice/support privately IF you're not happy with what the nhs are telling you after your appointment?

there's also the diabetes uk charity, they are pretty good by all accounts.

oldblood the metformin isn't fast acting (like insulin) so it doesn't matter when you take it. They advise you to take it with food and to split the dose between meals because it reduces the side effects (upset stomach)not because it's having an affect on the individual sugar levels from those meals iyswim.

Hmmm,, my numbers seem to be gradually creeping up. Diagnosed at 20 weeks, now 32 with twins, and I know twins makes diabetes worse. Meals that were giving me readings of 5-6 are now well into the 7s, although only one high reading in 12 weeks. I did eat one bad thing the other day, could that still be affecting my readings? First reading after I ate it was fine, it was the next day that things started to change. I'd rather stay diet controlled if possible. I'm just annoyed I had that little treat now in case it's ruined me!

Counting down the weeks......

Well, I upped the dose and now I feel dreadful. I don't think I'm going to be able to continue taking it. I've been incredibly tired, more so than usual, and I feel like I'm constantly going to be sick but haven't actually been sick. I can't bear feeling nauseous, it is literally the worst feeling in the world for me. I can't function.

I've left a vaguely tearful message for my diabetes nurse but I don't think metformin is for me.

I couldn't afford to go private, we're on a small income as I'm a carer for my DS.

I was once prescribed metformin by a gynae who told me it would help me lose weight quickly. taking 3 tablets a day for 3 days nearly killed me; I had unbelievable stomach cramps and nausea and chucked them straight in the bin.

the endo this time told me that there is a "knack" to taking it, so that you don't overdo it and make yourself sick. I am sure your diabetes nurse will help, but please keep pushing her.

The dietician expects me to go on insulin soon anyway, which is what she said when she looked at my diaries. I was eating low carb, apart from one carb meal per day or so, and she said I couldn't possibly cut my diet down any more, my results still weren't right so I'm likely very insulin resistant (I wasn't even snacking) and that I needed to add carbs back in and have snacks. She's the one who told me to take the metformin this week but was very dismissive of it working. It has made some difference, but no way can I carry on with it.

I left a message for the diabetes nurse but from the sound of the voicemail recording, I think it's gone to a generic team within the hospital. I bet I won't hear back until Monday and I'm seeing them on Tuesday anyway.

oldblood ask to be prescribed the extended release version of metformin. It is much gentler on your stomach (but more expensive). They'll probably want to keep you on metformin even when you start insulin because it'll mean you won't need so much insulin and less insulin, means less chance of not getting dose right and having hypos.

Ah, she got back to me. I'm to stop the metformin, carry on monitoring sugars and ring if my fasting ones go above 7. She's going to speak to the consultant but it's likely they'll leave me until Tuesday unless I go really high and I'll go on insulin.

I'll ask about the extended release on Tuesday too. Thanks. Urgh. Going to go and lie down and pretend I don't feel like I'm going to die.*

*slight exaggeration. I've had chemo in the past and I do feel as rough as I ever did after an infusion.

It is grim, oldboots. I'm taking it at the moment for prediabetes. Your body does get used to it though and the symptoms stop after a week or so. It's so much safer than insulin though so I can see why they prescribe it.

In case anyone wants another nice idea, my OH just made me a cauliflower crust pizza (recipe on bbc good food) topped with a mound of different veggies. It was soooo tasty and I really feel I've had a treat for virtually zero carbs! We'll see what the blood sugar does, but as it was basically cauliflower, egg, ground almonds, tomatoes and lots of veg and cheese, I am hoping it will be fine!!

Scared - that sounds amazing: carb like, but carb lite!
Poster - can you tell me more about the negatives of insulin; I wasn't aware of any and though I'm not there (yet?) I've found this whole experience a really frustrating series of finding out ANOTHER thing that matters / is impacted! TIA!

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cauliflower-crust-pizza

Here you go! I didn't use the same toppings; I mounded it up with veg so it looked like pizza Everest. BG fine afterwards!

Thanks scared noob will try that recipe pit looks and sounds lush

Greetings all
Coz I'm still in work ft, I definitely find weekends harder for eating properly; it's such a pain at weekends with people around for all the social food eating that goes on in our house.

Any coping tips / substitute treats to try?

webbley there are various kinds of cheese & pastry based sticks and crackers you can have that aren't that huge on the carb front. Perhaps something along those lines with some nice sour cream and chive dips?
Also, if they are coming to your house, serve stuff that you can have and enjoy - they'll cope!

Oh and also, all of the 'zero' types of fizzy pop are fine, I've found the cherry coke zero to be amazing, it's the only thing helping me cope tbh!

I'm guessing metformin is safer than insulin purely because there's no chance of hypos with it, whereas with insulin, you could go too low with your sugars, which is dangerous.

Annoyingly, my fasting results have all been fine since stopping metformin, or just slightly over 'fine' which my hospital defines as 6.0 or below. It's annoying because they only want fasting results and aren't interested in what's happening 1 or 2 hours post meals. I am though, otherwise how the hell else am I supposed to judge what meals work for me?! I've had two spikes - peanut butter on toast no longer works for me, despite being in the 30-40g of carb that my dietican wants me to have for breakfast.

Have you tried oat biscuits with peanut butter? That doesn't spike me like bread does!