Gestational Diabetes

[Mum2be2017]

Hi there, has anyone been diagnosed with this and how are you managing this? Baby measuring big on fundal height (30 weeks) and scan confirmed a big abdominal circumference, plus baby is big. Having GTT next week to confirm.

Hi,

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago after a GTT as a growth scan revealed my baby to be in the 97th centile with a large abdominal circumference.

I am managing it with diet and by self testing my blood sugars, although the diet is restricting- I haven't found it to be too bad (yet). If I cannot manage it with diet alone, metformin or insulin will be used.

I have another growth scan next week (at 33 weeks) which will tell me more about what kind of birth to expect and whether he will be born early due to his size.

Try not to worry and good luck with your GTT

Thanks rainbow.

Did you have any symptoms or glucose in your urine?

Was there any family history of GDM or did you have any risk factors? I don't have any, nor am I overweight. I just don't get it! Xxx

I had no symptoms and no risk factors. Had it twice and diet controlled successfully...8 weeks for the first and for 32 weeks with no 2... diagnosed at 9 weeks!

Sorry you're going through this. I had GD with my second pregnancy and it was diagnosed when glucose ws found in my regular urine sample. I wasn't over weight (many Type 2 diabetics aren't either despite what the media would have you believe). Also, at the time, I didn't have any family history of diabetes. However, in the thirteen years since, my mother has been diagnosed with Type 2 (she's not remotely overweight) and my eldest DC has been diagnosed with Type 1. Have you any other symptoms - like thirst?

Thanks ladies.
I've not had any symptoms at all, feel tired but expected that with being pregnant.
I'm just so gutted, and miserable about diet!! Any tips for snacks or healthy meals?

How did you find out if you weren't displaying symptoms?
My last two children were big, 9lb 10 and 11lb 1, and I was asked by multiple professionals after if I'd had GD. Nothing picked up during routine urine tests etc.
Currently 17 weeks pregnant and concerned that this baby will be even bigger. I think it might rip me in half if it is!! I mentioned my concerns to the midwife but she didn't seem bothered.

I just had my fundal height (tape measure on the tummy) measured by my midwife at a routine apt. I was measuring big for dates, hence the scan. X

Get yourself onto the gestational diabetes UK facebook group... loads of suggestions for How to eat. The dietary info on there is far superior to the stuff I got at clinic. 32 Weeks I stayed diet controlled following their advice... if I'd have eaten as per the clinic recommendations I would have been medicated early on. I had one week of high readings following their help sheet which frankly told me to eat ridiculous things like beans on potato. Sugary carbs on another carb is a big no no.
You need to be eating lots of protein and good fats. They recommend pairing where you eat cheese or nuts with a little carbs. It slows down sugar absportion and keeps your levels steady.
Avoid fruit if you can... it may be natural sugars but it has the same effect as chocolate would. If you must eat fruit berries and Greek yogurt or a green apple dipped in peanut butter is a good way.
Lots of water with food also helps lower your blood sugar levels. Oh and avoid any cereal.. only 1 in 10 woman can tolerate it!
You'll learn to eat eggs and bacon for breakfast

Without a gtt it's not certain that you have GD try not to worry. You will get lots of support from the diabetic team and a consultant if your gtt indicates an issue. If you want to be proactive until you know cut down on sugar (including fruit!) and carbohydrates, avoid fruit juices and soft drinks with sugars. I've had it twice and it is manageable. I was induced at 38 weeks on both of mine and it was for the best! Both babies were big and had trouble maintaining their blood sugars straight after. I was on metformin but I don't think it did much good

Great dietary advice from everyone above. I went home and dutifully ate exactly what was recommended on the diet sheet and my blood sugar went through the roof! Eventually I figured out a low GI regime - protein, veggies, small amounts of carbs, good fats.

It's not definite that you have GD but it is manageable.

Thanks ladies!! Will keep you posted :-) xxx

I was just diagnosed today. I'll be 31 weeks on Monday. Expected it to be honest. I had a high BMI before pregnancy and there is Type 2 diabetes in my family in any case. Haven't yet seen the diabetic team or dietician - they're making an appointment for me for Tuesday. I'll have to monitor blood glucose levels and hopefully attempt to control through diet first. This is my second baby and I avoided GD first time round but was fatter this time round I'm afraid. Baby is measuring fine for now though, although a little bigger than his brother was. I feel fine currently - no worse than any other 40 year old pregnant woman with a 2.5 year old anyway!
I've been reading a lot on the Gestational Diabetes UK site and will join their Facebook group too.
I've been reading up on harvesting colostrum - leaking already so may as well try to freeze it for when baby is here. The most disappointing thing for me is the thought of not being "allowed" to birth in the midwife led unit - I was already under some pressure anyway being older and high BMI and they'd already started threatening induction which I really don't want at all. Will just have to see how it goes I suppose.

I was diagnosed a month ago after a glucose test.

Although I was eating well/as per the recommendations I've now been put on metformin as in the last week my levels were rising (after eating a salad). Apparently this can happen when you hit the 31/32 weeks (which l am).

I wanted to add, that some low GI foods I was able to tolerate whereas others I could not. For instance wholewheat pasta (a fist full portion) sent my levels over, whereas wholewheat/seeded bread was okay.

At the moment I am measuring biggish, but this is due to the multiple fibroids as baby is measuring fine.

I was diagnosed at about 20 weeks I think, DD is now13 months. I found the only tolerable breakfast I could have was berries in Greek yoghurt. Really struggled to find anything else I could have! Those warburtons thins did me well for sandwiches for lunch, and nuts as snacks with a couple of small blocks of chocolate. It seemed to help with the sugar. It's a real pain but meant I didn't put on loads of weight that I would have otherwise, given free reign at the chocolate! She was born at 39 weeks after I went for induction, I was found to be 2cm dilated when I got there so burst my waters at 4pm and had her at 23:40. Good luck ladies!