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

Well I enjoyed my chow mein, had a metformin tablet & although it was higher than it should be it wasn't by as much as I thought it would be, so reasonable happy. Won't be happy anything like that again for a while though as although I enjoyed it I felt bad know I'd have a high reading

@Bubbles1st thanks v much for the tip! We have just had hubby’s bday dinner and I took my second test an hour after dinner - 7.4 which I’m well chuffed about as it was a treat for my hubby’s dinner xxx

@Firevie yay, makes it so much more enjoyable knowing it was still a good option!

We have friends coming over tomorrow for my DPs birthday (it's actually Tuesday) and for a bbq, so hoping I can have a lovely evening and meal and just d avoid a bun for every meat choice 🙈

Enjoy your bbq @bubbles1st! A bbq is great for a gd diet lots of options

I've had a fasting reading of 5.6 today. First one since starting insulin & can't think what it is. Had pasta last night but it was wholemeal pasta and nothing different with it.
But the ketones make me wonder if I've not been having enough carbs. Now I'm wondering if my readings would have been high if I had... 😒

Just remembered I had two pieces of garlic bread with it (which I haven't had since GD diagnosis).... 🙈

@adventuresawait sorry to hear that, how long was your fasting period this time? Probably the garlic bread but did you have a later dinner than usual?

An occasional fasting reading should be ok.

It was earlier than usual @DressyGerbera! Maybe a combination of things as I didn't walk as far as usual & probably didn't drink enough water. Hopefully just the one high. I'll keep an eye on it. It is just a bit disappointing xx

@AdventuresAwait I know, this change be so frustrating!! Not too long to go and also sometimes we just need the occasional treat to keep us going!!xx

Enjoy your bbq abs bday @Bubbles1st
@AdventuresAwait don’t beat yourself up a out it as @DressyGerbera said sometimes you need an occasional treat
I’ve got my first full day of testing ahead of me today fasting and after breakfast we’re good
Had 30g wholegrain oats, milk and water mixed, 4almonds abs flax and chia seeds
Do you guys test after snacks too? I’m not required to but think I may do as I’m intrigued to see what snacks work for me
I’ve just had 3strawberries full fat cream abs flax seeds

Ah I just tested after breakfast. 2 slices of wholemeal bread with ham and cheese - 7.8 first reading. Took another two readings and they were 8.4 and 9.1!! What! And this is after about 40 mins walk. Feeling a bit disappointed too but just have to keep going!!

@Firevie I don't test after snacks usually but sometimes do just to test tolerance

Morning Ladies, silly questions but what is ketones? Always how do we prevent them?

All my urine have been checked and ok so far x

I'm not entirely sure @CherLW! 😂 Reading about it, I have some concerns however this is the actual text response from my diabetic nurse:

"Don't worry about ketones. It's a problem with type 1 diabetes that does matter and indicates lack of insulin. You can get ketones if not eating enough carbohydrate as when you eat carbs you produce insulin. Less carbs means less insulin. It is not a worry for you in your situation."

Also my husband just thinks it's my change in diet as apparently they show when you're losing weight. I don't know. But trying to trust what they've told me and step away from Google!

Thanks @AdventuresAwait I keep hearing it but not really any idea!

One midwife appointment they said it showed ketones but it was morning to worry about so I just forgot about it. Next 2 checks were clear!

I completely forgot until half way through my dinner last night to do my reading!! I just did it the 2 hours after and wrote ‘forgot’ in the box 🙈.

@cherlw I think ketones get produced when your body is utilising your fat reserves to produce energy instead of glucose. Those following the keto diet would cut out all carbs and use this approach to lose weight. For us pregnant ladies, it's usually a sign if we don't eat enough carbs or even dehydration. There is an article on the gestational diabetes UK website ( not sure i can link but if you search gestational diabetes UK ketones, it should come up)

@DressyGerbera thanks 😊 I’ll have a look for that. I’m definitely not one for cutting out carbs so hopefully fingers crossed that side of things will be ok!

Hope everyone is doing ok, I've had a quiet couple of days feeling a bit fed up! After my stressful work day and high lunch reading the next day I had a carb free lunch, drank loads of water and even went for a walk, still high! I've been racking my brains to see if I could think of anything else to try or just accept that things might be going downhill... the one thing I thought of yesterday was that I haven't had a mid morning snack and have eaten lunch an hour later than usual so had been pretty hungry both days by the time I had lunch. Today I tried having a snack in between breakfast and lunch and just tested and got 6.9. The experiment continues!

I'm just going to catch up on all the posts now!

Thing is @DressyGerbera, @CherLW I have cut down on carbs due to the GD. Have you heard having ketones might not be good then?

@AdventuresAwait i have heard that having high ketones isn't good for the baby, but my midwife wasn't concerned when i had low levels of ketones.

i rang my diabetic midwife as well the next day as well and she said to increase my carb intake ( the day my wee was tested by the midwife, i had no carbs in my meals at all). i think cutting down on carbs is good because we have GD but apparently we shouldn't cut it down completely and should still have some. i also read that if you are feeling well otherwise (i think it gets bad if you have nausea and other symptoms), it should be ok

Ok thanks @DressyGerbera 😪
Will try and increase and will see how it is when I see my midwife.
Wonder why the consultant and diabetic nurse aren't concerned at all...

@AdventuresAwait we do need to cut down on carbs, but they do say you should have some carbs with every meal still, just a smaller amount. Ive heard it can affect the baby so definitely try & bring up your portions a little & definitely tell your midwife your concerns. It's hard not to worry I know, but your midwife should be reassuring you xx

I’m seeing my midwife Monday so will see if she has any info on the ketones.

I’ve seen in quite a few places that popcorn can be a good GD snack.. say popcorn and nuts. Anyone know what kind of popcorn would be good? I assume just stuff you make yourself?

Thanks @GWhiteley and @CherLW. I just wish they'd told me it was bad for baby. Instead both consultant and diabetic nurse said no concerns at all... 😒

@AdventuresAwait it was only when it was mentioned on here & I googled it that I knew. Having not had it I wouldn't have known otherwise & like you would have gone on consultants word. I think it's a good idea to tell them your concerns & they should be able to reassure you. It could be the amount you have is so small they don't consider it a problem, but if you're worried they should take that seriously

@adventuresAwait I had some in my urine too and my midwife wasn't worried either. I think if the amount is small and you don't have the symptoms I mentioned then it's ok. When I spoke to the diabetic midwife she said just try to increase the amount of carbs. I also read just drinking more water can help flush it out.

So i wouldnt get too worried but just check in next time you see your consultant - they should be able to advise more or at least tell you why they are not concerned in your case