The GD thread for the GD Ladies

[CherLW]

Just a little group for the ladies with GD to talk, ask all the questions and be there for each other

@Moominmiss this is quite a good place to start

www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-gestational-diabetes

At least you don't have long to wait to speak to someone about it, I'd start by avoiding any sugary treats and have meals based around protein and veg to be on the safe side.

Well this was one way to cheer myself up after a rubbish day!

Was really hard to be restrained with tomatoes and no beans!

Hey. I had GD in pregnancy so not sure if it will be helpful to any of you.

I had a GD test around 28 weeks and confirmed I had it then.
First of all was diet based, brown pasta, chicken etc.
My levels were not coming down no matter what I ate so they started me on metformin x2 daily.
They still were not happy with my levels so offered me 3x metformin but if that didn't work I had to go on insulin. Thankfully the 3x metformin worked.

My levels seem to be the highest in the morning and when I said I drink about 1ltr of squash overnight she said I need to stop and swap it for water .

I was induced at 38 weeks. Had a diabetic midwife appointment every 2 weeks once I was confirmed GD at the hospital. Growth scan every 4 weeks.

DS was never measuring big but agreed with the induction at 38 weeks.

Remember to pack your blood machines as they do like to prick you whilst in labour.

Good luck ladies x

Thanks @CupOfTPlease, can I ask how you found your induction at 38 weeks as that is what my trust advises too.

@Moominmiss - brown rice, bread and pasta. Sweet potatoes. Small jacket potato etc. The dietician says to make sure veg/salad/protein portion is bigger than the carb portion.

Thanks for sharing @CupOfTPlease did you find things returned to normal after the birth? Did you have to do any monitoring afterwards?

Thanks @bewitchingnight & @AdventuresAwait

@Bubbles1st thanks for your post this morning, it was reassuring to read & did make me feel a bit better. Though I was worried when you said you're not eating properly, I'm sure they wouldn't want that. Though it's hard isn't it if you think there's even a chance that what you've just eaten could affect the baby. I got home from work & ate a hard boiled egg that was spare as I was hungry!

I had a low after lunch reading but a slightly over after dinner reading so I've decided to see how my fasting reading is in the morning & go from there.

As you say, thank god we can talk to each other about all this on here, I would have knocked myself out on a brick wall with all the head banging of it wasn't for all of you keeping me sane ❤️

@AdventuresAwait

Thanks *@CupOfTPlease*, can I ask how you found your induction at 38 weeks as that is what my trust advises too.

@Moominmiss - brown rice, bread and pasta. Sweet potatoes. Small jacket potato etc. The dietician says to make sure veg/salad/protein portion is bigger than the carb portion.

I had a good induction. Went in at exactly 38 weeks around dinner time. Went in on the Wednesday and gave birth Saturday. My cervix wasn't playing ball! But no need for drip and overall had a lovely experience.

@bewitchingnight

Thanks for sharing *@CupOfTPlease* did you find things returned to normal after the birth? Did you have to do any monitoring afterwards?

They took my levels in labour and once after birth. Once my son was born no more monitoring and no more metformin, woohoo! My son had to have his sugar levels taken twice whilst we were there and they said when I was pregnant I'd have to stay in 24hrs for his monitoring but had him at 5pm and was home 11am the next day. His levels were also fine and he was a nice weight but a bit jaundice so had to keep an eye on that.

In theory, this is what I was told the GD leaves the system once baby is born and placenta is out.

Had a blood test 6-8 weeks after I gave birth to check if I had diabetes and thankfully that was not the case.

That's good to know @Moominmiss, thanks. I have been wanting to avoid an induction so it's good to know that you had a good experience. My choice is influenced by different factors as I have added risk factors for a c-section (age, BMI) and my Mum and sister are not able to give birth naturally due to a narrow pelvic arch so had to have cesarean births. With further increased chances of a section with an induction, I'm currently thinking I would rather have an elective section so it is planned rather than emergency. But it's useful to know you had a good experience so something for me to think about. Thanks for sharing.

Sorry @Moominmiss, I meant to tag @CupOfTPlease!!

Hi ladies, think it's time for me to jump in here too. Been testing for just under a week and it is a rollercoaster. Slowly working it out but things I thought would be clearly under send my blood sugar shooting. I'm not good with any kind of bread, I can handle one slice of wholemeal with peanut butter but I tried a ham salad sarnie with two slices and my result shot up. I tested after a donut a day before, just out of interest and it wasnt as high as the sarnie! I think it was just too much bread and not enough other stuff.

Sorry if it's been asked but does anyone know if I drink a tea or coffee with breakfast do I count the hour from when ive finished the drink or can i keep drinking that between?

Also finding it hard not to lose weight, food shop night tonight, think it might take a while 😅

Hi and welcome @Scotti84, yes I drink coffee in between (milk and a sugar substitute) and my readings are now under control (but with metformin and 1xinsulin injection) at the moment.
Are you on medication? Has a dietician contacted you? And a diabetic nurse? Xx

@Scotti84 it's a shame to welcome you but come on over if you must 🙈

Quite a bit of thread to catch up on so don't worry if you don't have time and ask anything you want to, we will help if we can.

I'm nearly 4 weeks since finding my results, still finding my feet, having melt downs and losing weight!

@AdventuresAwait @Bubbles1st thanks ladies

I've had an appt with the diabetician, they set me up with the gear to test, needles and the like, and said to send in the results by email after the first week and they'll let me know if theyre OK and i should keep going or if there's something not looking too good they'll call me in. I got a book of what is appropriate amounts of carbs to eat, i think i just need to be more aware what I pair them with. They told me not to lose weight but im already 2kg down, im sure with time ill find the balance but it ain't easy atm.

Appreciate the support from you guys xx

Hi @Scotti84 it's a lot of experimenting at first isn't it. Sometimes it seems logical and other times completely baffling. If I have a coffee at breakfast I just count when to test from when I finish eating and drink in the interim.

I've lost weight too, about 6kg which was massively surprising. Midwife said that was ok as I've not been going hungry but I have a high bmi so got it to spare 🙊

Hi @Scotti84 & sorry we've had to welcome you to our club! But I can tell you now, I'd be a lot less calm & knowledgable about all this if it weren't for the ladies on this thread & being able to vent when needed!

On another note I had my call from the diabetes team earlier & she wants me to go on metformin for my lunchtime meal, as that seems to be the worst one. Slightly gutted but as she says, I can't do any more than I have food wise, it's just the bloody hormones!

@GWhiteley, sorry to hear that. But you're doing great and I was also told the same... we can do our very best but ultimately it's the hormones.

@AdventuresAwait

That's good to know *@Moominmiss*, thanks. I have been wanting to avoid an induction so it's good to know that you had a good experience. My choice is influenced by different factors as I have added risk factors for a c-section (age, BMI) and my Mum and sister are not able to give birth naturally due to a narrow pelvic arch so had to have cesarean births. With further increased chances of a section with an induction, I'm currently thinking I would rather have an elective section so it is planned rather than emergency. But it's useful to know you had a good experience so something for me to think about. Thanks for sharing.

No problem. I also had a high BMI but lost weight in pregnancy but was still on the high side. They monitored my DS throughout as I wanted that by having the wires attached to his head as they kept loosing trace on the belt monitor.

I've heard in some people that elective they had a faster/ more comfortable healing process after elective sections rather than emergency.

Whatever you choose, I hope you have the best experience you can and good luck x

Thank you @CupOfTPlease, lots to think about and feels like such a big decision xx

Welcome @Scotti84 sorry to hear you’ve joined the club but lovely you’re here!

It’s so good to have this group, lots of different meal suggestions, tips, help and always someone there when you’re having a bad day ❤️

I do my bloods 6 times a day and I'm waiting for the 7th July to see the consultant, diabetic team and a growth scan. So far i’m just diet controlled but very aware so much can change so quickly.

I had a Nando’s today which was lovely and the results were just as good! I think it’s easy to pair things there… also just throw some halloumi on the side….!!

Hi everyone, would I be able to join? I've been reading this thread for a while and found it so informative and supportive, so thank you!

I'm 18 weeks with my first. I haven't been officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but due to a close family member having type 2 diabetes I was advised I was high risk for getting gestational diabetes, I got worried and brought myself a little blood glucose monitor a few weeks ago and have been testing 6 times a day. I had a good week last week, but I was consciously trying to alter my diet, this week I haven't been as disciplined and looks like my readings this week are definitely in the gestational diabetes territory, especially with fasting readings, so thinking I need to speak to my midwife about it.

The issue I'm finding at the moment is as I'm vegan I struggle to know what fats/proteins to pair with foods. I eat a varied diet with nuts, seeds, pulses, beans, nut butters, veg, fruit etc. but when it comes to meat/dairy alternatives a lot of these can be sugary/full of carbs. Is anyone else vegan/veggie on here?

@PlantMummy87 welcome, sorry to hear about your readings, definitely seems you need to get tested so you can get the right treatment if needed.

I used to be a vegan so do enjoy lots of non meat and dairy options.
Do you eat much tofu? That's good for protein and low carbs and obviously you can cook and marinate so many ways for your mea preference.

There is a group on Facebook for gestational diabetes in the UK where I'm sure you'll find more support and suggestions which are suitable .

Hi @PlantMummy87 I’m glad you e found this thread helpful, it’s so good to have others going through the same around.

If I were you I would talk to my midwife about having the GTT early! I would explain how you've been testing off your own back 6 times a day and say how you’re worried about it due to your close family member having type2… otherwise you could be putting yourself through it all for nothing? I would definitely be asking to get tested early. X

Has anyone braved a take away? Even something like a McDonald’s/kfc etc? The only thing I’ve had is a Nando’s and that’s pretty easy to get a good mix of foods in.

God no, the way my levels have been up & down I darent even try a take a way at the moment. Im staying at my mums on Saturday night & she said about having one, but I'm doing a slimming world fakeaway instead!