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

Me too. I had it in the first trimester, it eased off in the second and now with a change in diet its back! I find coffee helps me go easier, but the stomach pain is not fun!

I haven't drunk coffee since I got pregnant as I can't stand the smell or the taste! @AdventuresAwait can we have that with pregnancy? I might have to go & get some at lunch time as haven't been for 3 days & it's starting to feel uncomfortable!

@GWhiteley, this is one I found that says safe in pregnancy. It still recommends checking with a doctor... I told my midwife it says safe in pregnancy and she did that's fine. I also read we can take others as they are safe but say check with a doctor first. A pharmacist would be able to advise. But I got this one (photos attached) as it actually said safe for pregnancy on it. Hope that helps.

Thanks @AdventuresAwait I'm going to go to boots at lunchtime & have a look.

Feel a bit out of sorts this morning, felt sick after breakie & very lethargic & tired so going to see how I feel a bit later & maybe go home

I'm not feeling great either @GWhiteley. Definitely look after yourself and take time to rest if you need to xx

Look after yourself too @AdventuresAwait xx

Does anyone know what coconut milk is like?? I was going to make a curry with coconut milk… maybe a pataks curry paste or Thai curry paste?? I don’t know what the pastes would be like either? Any ideas?

@GWhiteley I was for the first couple of weeks after GD diagnosis but now things seem to be ok again…fingers crossed. I just make sure I get enough fruit, salad, veg in each day and keep an eye on my water intake. It must just be our bodies adjusting??

@CherLW yea I have plenty of fruit & veg each day & have upped my water intake but still not a lot happening! Used to have weetabix for breakie but can't tolerate that now so need to find some fibre somewhere else!

@GWhiteley oh nooo, hopefully things settle soon! I have ryvita for lunches sometimes… I also have grape nuts (a weird cereal) which is high in fibre. I have about 20-30grams which goes on with my sugars.

I had to stop weetabix recently too @GWhiteley, as I was having high readings afterwards. Also drinking water but looking for fibre in other foods. I am feeling there is so much to think about.

Sympathy for you both @GWhiteley and @AdventuresAwait I suffered with that so badly in the first trimester. Touch wood it's been ok since because the only thing that worked for me was eating prunes and drinking prune juice and I imagine both would be out now!

@CherLW I've had coconut milk and it was fine. I made my own paste though but I would have thought if you check the ingredients it should be ok? Some might have sugar in?

@bewitchingnight thanks for the coconut milk advice, I read it should be the full fat one so I’ll get that.
I’ll have a look at the pastes… but I guess it’s a small portion and I’ll have lots of veg/protein etc.

Can I ask if this seems normal…

I was tested last week 28th June at 28 weeks.

Got positive diagnosis on 1st July. Picked up testing kit on Friday 2nd.

Told not to start testing until I have an appointment with the diabetic nurse, and get given an activation code. Was told this would be a Monday or Tuesday over the phone.

Came home from work today to a letter with an appointment for an in-person appointment with the diabetic nurse on Monday 19th July. I’ll be 31 weeks on that date. So 3 weeks to the day since being tested, nearly 3 weeks from diagnosis.

So supposedly I’m not to test or do anything for 3 weeks?

I think that's highly unusual for them to advise not to do anything for that long. A couple of days maybe but I would call them and ask what's going on.

Did you get given any information about the changes you need to make when you picked up your test kit?

The letter states not to begin testing until after the appointment with the diabetic nurse where I will be given an activation code for my monitor.

I just got given a very basic nhs leaflet about diet, but it’s not very informative or clear at all.

I’ve joined the Facebook groups and am trying to take advice from various posts in there regarding what to eat, but with everyone tolerating different things I feel like I’m trying to manage this totally blind.

It almost feels like what was the point in testing me in the first place if they aren’t going to do anything about it!

@Moominmiss I would definitely be calling them to see what’s going on. It doesn’t seem right that they know you have GD but haven’t told you any info and have said not to test yet…

@CherLW I know. I just feel like they don’t really care. 3 weeks just seems like way too long.

I get that they can’t tell me what foods I will or won’t be able to tolerate and there is a lot of trial and error with what works for me personally. But being told specifically not to start any testing until after I’ve had my appointment seems ridiculous. I could have had 2 weeks of days for them by the time my appointment comes round.

My monitor links to an app that I’ve downloaded, but the app won’t work until I enter the activation code. The one I’ll be given at my appointment!

I feel like when I phone them tomorrow they’re going to think I’m being pushy or something or make me feel stupid.

@Moominmiss don’t worry what they think when you call, I would definitely call. They do this test to protect you and so you can do what’s best for the baby. Seems crazy how they will just let you live with it for 3 weeks!

@Moominmiss, I agree with the others about it being unusual not to act sooner and about calling them. I was diagnosed Sat and had an appointment on Monday morning. Can they not give you the activation code over the phone?

@Moominmiss agree very unusual. I got a call saying I had GD, went the next day for an appointment where they showed how to use the test kit etc, got given the test kit same day and started testing then. 3 weeks from diagnosis to testing is very odd. Definitely call them and ask them if they can give you the code via phone or if you can just turn up at the hospital. In the meantime, try to reduce the carbs you eat, esp the obvious ones like cakes, white bread, white pasta etc and pair your carbs with protein/good fats. So even if you don't start testing, you know you're doing the right thing for you and your bubba

Also I assume your monitor works without the app? If it's like mine, the app is just to upload the sugar levels so that the diabetic team can see them ( and it's just a record keeping thing). So potentially you can still test but just can't upload the data to the app

Thanks all. It’s good to know it’s not me expecting too much. 3 weeks seems insane to me. I just feel like I’ve been left to deal with this on my own and it feels incredibly daunting.

I’m trying to get my head around this whole pairing foods thing but I’ll be honest and say I’m struggling.

I’m a fairly fussy eater I guess anyway, so trying to find healthy pairings is hard.

I’ve no idea what sorts of things I can take with me to work for my packed lunch for example.

I’m scared to eat anything. Tonight I cooked macaroni cheese for my 3 children and just felt so teary. My partner was out, I just felt so alone with all of this, and I caved and had a small bowl of it. The guilt and regret was instant. I’ve no idea what damage I’ve done. I’m trying to browse websites for meal ideas but I still don’t really understand the pairing thing especially with snacks and smaller meals like breakfast.

I’m going to call them tomorrow and see if they can give me the activation code over the phone, or at least agree to me begin testing now.

I’ve not even attempted to turn the monitor on, but I assume it would work without the app, that the app is just for collecting the readings. But I’ve no idea when they want me to test. Do I just start with what most seem to do, first thing in the morning, then after the 3 meals of the day? Do you test an hour after your last bite of food?

Also how important is it to have an actual breakfast? I can’t remember the last time I ate breakfast, I’ve just never done it. Do I need to eat a full on breakfast or can I have a piece of fruit or something?

God, just writing this i just feel like a huge failure before I’ve even had my baby 😔

@Moominmiss please please don’t feel like a failure, that’s not true at all! They have thrown something at you like a GD diagnosis which is daunting enough on it’s on but on top of that they haven’t given you any help at all and the way they are going about it all seems wrong to me. They aren’t helping with your mental health and they need to know this. Definitely call them, explain how you’re feeling as they can’t leave you in this way for 3 weeks!

We are all here to help you get your bearings with all this.. don’t feel guilty about having certain foods.

I feel the same as you with breakfast, I could easily skip it but since being diagnosed I make sure I have something.. usually fruit, yogurt and nuts or scrambled egg with cheese on some toast if I’m off work.

I test before the 3 daily meals and 2 hours after the 3 daily meals. It seems like all trusts vary tho.

Please don’t let this get you down, you can do it! Just need them to explain so hopefully you can settle your mind a bit xx

@Moominmiss just a hug for support really. I agree with everyone else that having to wait three weeks doesn't sound right. I had an appointment with a dietician the day after I had my test. You aren't a failure and it's completely understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed. It's a lot to get your head around and you haven't been given any support to make a start.

I hope you get speaking to someone tomorrow and things seem a bit brighter x

@Moominmiss please don't feel like a failure this is not your fault!

so pairing is essentially trying not to have carbs by itself. for example, with the mac and cheese, if you add say bacon, chicken, it should be a good enough pair esp with the cheese as well.

different trust operate differently. mine has asked me to test before breakfast and 1 hour after each meal, i need to be below 5.3 before breakfast and below 7.8 1 hour after i finish each meal.

As long as you pair anything higher with carb with protein/ fat should be ok. eg for snacks Granny smith apples with peanut butter, wholewheat crackers with cheese, strawberries and clotted cream :). for breakfast, scrambled eggs with wholemeal toast and butter, sausages with brown toast

testing is important as it helps you identify what you can tolerate better than others but if you follow pairing complex carbs at each meal you should be ok!