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

On the topic of appointments I've saw the dietician the day after my GTT and had a phone call from the diabetic midwife the week after. I've got a growth scan booked in about 4 weeks when I'll be 32 weeks and apparently I'll see the consultant and diabetic midwife then too. Growth scan was booked anyway but the consultant has changed to a diabetic one (haven't met either so makes no difference to me!) Funny how it's different for everyone.

Thanks for all the tips so far, I've been trying to do the food pairing thing too. Had a square of dark chocolate a couple of evenings ago (after the dinner reading) and didn't seem to affect the morning one.

I'm finding it hard just having to think about everything I'm eating rather than just being able to mindlessly snack but I'm telling myself that's probably a good habit to get into...!

Thank you @LimpLettice! Good to know about the injections and that not all trusts say about induction at 38 weeks. I'll see that they say when I get an appointment.
She says they induce before 39 as a sugary placenta might not work as well after 38 weeks but my question is, if we can manage my blood sugars, and they're within range, why would the placenta still be affected...
Happy to talk it through but currently would rather opt for a c- section at 39 weeks if baby has to come early. I know a section isn't easy and I would rather have a natural birth but if early is best for baby, I'll push for a section, to avoid induction and for other reasons that I've already discussed with my consultant too prior to GD.
I don't doubt some need to come early to be safe as they said blood sugars can increase as pregnancy progresses but I'm just surprised they don't take blood results or growth scans into consideration but just immediately advise an induction.

@LimpLettice

I'm not pregnant but I have had two back to back GD pregnancies in 2 years. First diet controlled, second dx at 5 weeks and insulin dependent by 20 weeks. I have done a lot of research and trial and error! I hope I'm not annoying but:

The GD fb page is a bit twee but actually the advice is vastly better than NHS current practice which is aimed more towards standard T2. GD needs lower readings for babies safety. NHS advice works reasonably well to start with but GD is very progressive and their diet will lead to quicker medication if you are trying to avoid that.

High fat low carb / complex carbs is absolutely the way to try and keep it down. I lost a tonne of weight doing that until I could no longer control my fasting levels, at which point I needed slow release insulin. Fasting is not really something you can control with diet. Once that happens you do need a bit more carb which is less helpful for weight loss. The best thing is fat/protein combining with your starch - never eat a naked carb. So a sour apple, but with peanut butter, or 40g brown pasta, with lots of cheesy bolognaise.

The not eating thing is no good, @Bubbles1st I'm afraid to say. Once you go past a certain point, your body will do a panic glucose dump and send your levels shooting up which is not helpful! Little and often. I worked with 3 small meals, 3 or 4 snacks and sometimes a midnight snack. Oatcakes and cheese, chorizo and a tomato, nuts and apple.

Also, spikes! Be aware that some sugary / carby things spike your bloods fat quicker than the hours test. So a Muller lite would at an hour give me a 5.5, but at 30 mins a 10.5. Doesn't matter when that spike happens, it's just as bad for baby so it's worth checking if it's low fat / high carb etc.

My boys were both lovely weights, and my diabetes went straight after birth. Insulin wasn't as bad as I thought although by the end with DS2 I was on mega high doses of slow and quick release and maximum metformin, which is not kind on sensitive stomachs, so better avoided! I also couldn't even eat a tomato or new potato even on heavy meds, so do remember to keep checking as it does get worse. Good luck!

Yeah I think this is why I couldn't get on well with the GDUK group. My problems have always been my fasting levels, even now at 35 weeks which I suppose is around the peak my post meal readings are always fine following nhs dietician advice. But breakfast fasting is around 6.5 without insulin (I know this because my GP prescribed me the wrong insulin and it took 2 days to sort out and I ran out) whereas with the 14 units I'm on now morning readings around 4.9-5.2. I only take background insulin. It's sort of baffling why the fasting readings are so high but post meal aren't but it is what it is I guess!

Gave myself the fright of my life this afternoon. Tested 1 hour post lunch and my reading was 15.9!! I have never in 2 GD pregnancies seen a reading that high and freaked out. Then remembered I'd been cutting grapes for my son and not washed my hands one handwash later and my reading was 6.5. Phew!

Ok so Im thinking a Granny Smith apple with cheese and I might even brave a square of dark chocolate with it! Is it ok to have all that together or would it have to be apple and chocolate or cheese?

I’ve never had to think so much about what I was eating ever!! This will be for my snack after dinner time reading.

@JewelGarden my dad (type 2) did something very similar recently - got a reading of 20 and then remembered he'd eaten an orange and hadn't washed his hands!

@CherLW I think it should apple and cheese or cheese and chocolate to be paired but not apple and chocolate.

Thanks @Bubbles1st that sounds good to me 😊 apple and cheese tonight!

@CherLW I can recommend a square of chocolate with a blob of clotted cream and a raspberry on top. Works with a digestive too.

@JewelGarden My consultant insisted on testing me for late onset Type 1 because of my silly fasting levels. Up til 20 weeks i had no problems with post meal as long as I controlled well with diet. I think some people are just unlucky with them. Do remember it's usually progressive but if you've made it to 35w you'll probably be fine!

[quote LimpLettice]@CherLW I can recommend a square of chocolate with a blob of clotted cream and a raspberry on top. Works with a digestive too.

@JewelGarden My consultant insisted on testing me for late onset Type 1 because of my silly fasting levels. Up til 20 weeks i had no problems with post meal as long as I controlled well with diet. I think some people are just unlucky with them. Do remember it's usually progressive but if you've made it to 35w you'll probably be fine! [/quote]
Goodness, how did they test for that? I had an hba1c at 12 weeks (previous GD pregnancy) would that have shown it up? Yeah I've been testing since 14 weeks, diagnosed at 26 weeks or so and my insulin has been raised every week or so for the past 6 weeks. Hopefully it all goes back to normal as soon as this baby pops out (or is wrenched out )

My fasting readings have been high fri, sat & today. Though today was the lowest. I don't understand why it's so high as I don't eat anything after 8pm or so.

My breakfast ones were high with weetabix & milk so today I had yoghurt & strawberries & it was well under so pleased & that is for the advice on that.

I've got my growth scan tues & then both an app with the dietician & obstetrician sometime weds. I truly don't want the go on medication but if that meant I don't have to be induced early then I'd do it. Obviously want what's best for the baby

This maybe a silly question but is the fasting reason the first one after you wake up?

@GWhiteley usually I don’t eat anything after dinner but last night I had strawberries, yogurt and almonds about 30 mins after my last reading (2 hours after dinner) and I had a low first reading this morning… tonight I’m going for apple and cheese!

@LimpLettice that sounds amazing!!

@CherLW yes that's the one.

I think I need to get some dark chocolate so I feel like it's an actual treat. What could I pair that up with that isn't too weird?

Ps might have a bit of yoghurt after I've taken my reading in 20 minutes & see if that makes a difference tomorrow. I've already had strawberries for breakfast so don't really want them again this evening

That’s what I was thinking with chocolate @GWhiteley what would you have it with 🤷🏻‍♀️

Do we need to worry about low readings? I’m so confused! It’s crazy how they tell you so so little at that initial appointment with the diabetic midwife!

I had a low (for me anyway I don't know if it's low for everyone) fasting reading the other day - 3.8 i asked the midwife and she said lower readings didn't matter because I wasn't on insulin but she imagined I was incredibly hungry (I was!)

I don't know if that would be the same for everyone though? It was low for me but maybe if would be normal for someone else? Not sure!

@bewitchingnight, when you got the 3.8 reading did you try to take another reading? i find sometimes the device can be a bit off? i had that one and took it again almost immediately and i got just over 4.

@CherLW I didn't see a diabetic midwife, only the dietician.

You should have a fasting reading of under 5.3, at least that's what I've been told!

Surely the low readings do matter, as if they're continuously high then they'll put you on medication?!

@JewelGarden I think it was just bloods. They double checked, too!

Nuts are good with chocolate. Or peanut butter. Yum.

Defo try a protein snack before bed @GWhiteley it should help. 8pm until dawn can trigger a glucose dump. I didn't eat cereal at all for both GD pregnancies as no matter what it sent my levels sky high. Yoghurt or eggs a much better option.

@DressyGerbera 3.8 is low but yes, if you're not on insulin, it's ok. If you are, 4's the floor and you need to gently bring it up. It's high sugars and the 'rollercoaster' effect which is bad for babies growth. Also make sure you take it as soon as you can after waking. Too much movement when you've been fasting can make it drop / shoot up. Also hot weather can send it up, keep up your water intake.

This is bringing it all back! My youngest is nearly a year now and I'm remembering all the tricks.

You don't want readings to go too low even when not on insulin because it'll probably make you feel unwell - sick and shaky and reaching desperately for anything to eat or a sugary drink to make you feel better and once you're on that high/low rollercoaster it can be hard to get the levels steadied out again.

I think I’m just going to have to carry on just doing the 6 daily tests and then once it’s reviewed go from there.

Good shout on the nuts with chocolate! That’s on my snack list!

@DressyGerbera ah no, I didn't think of that. Usually mine are around 4 so yeah could be. It was after one of the really hot days last week, you know when you don't feel like eating much so I just put it down to having had a really light dinner.

Saw this on Instagram… I guess not add the honey but the rest looks pretty good!

What sort of things could you have as a protein snack before bed? When I think of protein I think of chicken or eggs. Neither of which I'd fancy before going to bed to bed honest!

@GWhiteley tonight I had an apple and cheese… last night I had a full fat yogurt with strawberries and almonds, Loads of protein yogurts about too. Some cheese on oatcakes/crackers? Nuts and a piece of chocolate?

Im definitely up for any suggestions from anyone too!

@CherLW I had some yoghurt about an hour or so after my dinner reading & this morning was my first low fasting reading, so pleased with that!

I think like you say it's just tweaking what works for you, but think I'll be having a lot more yoghurt in the coming weeks!