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

[quote DressyGerbera]@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken i'm almost 38 weeks now, but was diagnosed late-ish around 30 weeks. so haven't been on this diet for that long compared to others![/quote]
I can understand how frustrating it must be to be so close to the finish line. Mix this with the fear of it all, you’re bound to be totally fed up.

You’re so close now! Well done for getting through it xxx

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken thank you! it feels so close but so far if that makes sense? i had toast with peanut butter (just 1 slice, wholemeal) and a slice of cheese for brekkie a few days ago and i went above the threshold. i had thought it's meant to get easier post 36 weeks but it hasn't for me :( i'm now worried i had undiagnosed diabetes or something. really hope not!

how many weeks are you?

[quote DressyGerbera]@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken thank you! it feels so close but so far if that makes sense? i had toast with peanut butter (just 1 slice, wholemeal) and a slice of cheese for brekkie a few days ago and i went above the threshold. i had thought it's meant to get easier post 36 weeks but it hasn't for me :( i'm now worried i had undiagnosed diabetes or something. really hope not!

how many weeks are you?[/quote]
29 tomorrow.
I have a long way to go and reealllyyyy don’t want an early induction

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken the doctors can't force you to have an induction. i was also asked to take an induction because it's the 'protocol'. but scans so far show baby is well albeit a bit small. if you and baby are well, you don't have to go through an induction especially is before term. ask them for the risks / benefits etc!

I’ve just been for my scan and consultant appointment.

I was told that even if my glucose numbers and the baby’s growth remain perfectly healthy, they plan on starting sweeps at 38 weeks, progressing to an induction, and to have baby out by 40 weeks.
She said herself she is aware that it’s against the guidelines but they prefer to get them out earlier.

I’m so annoyed and sad. I feel like my whole pregnancy has been stolen from me. I can’t have any of my birthing options at all and just have to wait for a doctor to decide it’s time to extract the baby.

Like an infected fucking wisdom tooth.

I hate it.

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken seriously? If they know it's against the guidelines then they shouldn't be doing it. And I think you should push back on that 100%. They can certainly advise, but actually the ultimate decision is yours & they shouldn't be able to force you into anything. I'd be feeling the same if I were in your shoes.
Luckily my consultant said as long as things stay the way they are there's a good chance I won't be induced until between 39 & 40 weeks. I've told her I'd like baby to be born on the 1st September or later & she made a note of it

Is anyone getting bored of having the same meals all the time? I'm running out of evening meal options!

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken please ensure you are fully aware of informed consent. Nothing can happen without your say so. You have a right and they have duty of care to give you every option and any facts. Like I said on a post the other day, they do things for the masses because most women just nod and go along but if you feel baby is still safe based on the facts for your pregnancy then their is no need to start any of the process early just because. My consultant agreed to an extra scan at 38 weeks to keep an eye on him and to update any risk of anything had changed from 36 weeks.

Your body, your baby and your birth.

@alltheusernamesarealreadytaken

I am sorry to hear that! Please please remember that it is your decision and the doctors cannot do something without your consent. If you don't want to have the induction, definitely push back on that especially if the baby and you are both healthy. Instead ask for additional monitoring ( i think it's called expectant management) - extra scans etc. Also speak to your midwife- they tend to have a more balanced view than the doctors who can sometimes prefer a more medicalised route . All the best and please don't feel disheartened yet. As @bubbles1st said, this is your baby your body and your birth!

Thank you everyone!

I feel much better after a good night’s sleep.

So long as I continue with good measurements/ readings I’m going to stick to my guns and only allow them to give me sweeps at the 40 week mark as with my previous two pregnancies. Perhaps a few days before. My previous labours both went one week over and were started by a sweep so I think my chances are favourable.

Obviously, if things go to pot and my readings increase and baby gets huge I’ll follow their recommendations.

I’m just really sad about it all.

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken sorry to read! But I agree with all the other ladies! Do what is right for you! As long as you and baby are healthy it’s all good! I had my growth scan yesterday at 28+5 days and he’s measuring great. Sonographer said tummy is just slightly above but he wasn’t concerned and said that’s not necessarily GD related. Fluids, placenta, all measurements are looking great. I know I still have a long way to go but hopefully I can get my fasting readings under control and then just carry on like this all the way to week 40 that’s what I m hoping and wishing for anyway. I can’t remember who was on Metformin on here for fasting levels. I’m on day 4 of 1x Metformin with dinner not yet got my readings under target so I’ll give it a few more days. Want to see if I can get them down without upping the Metformin. Is it true that between 32 and 36 weeks all the readings go up or does it depend? Xx

@Firevie, I was diagnosed at 26 weeks. I'm 34 weeks tomorrow and my levels have gone down! Not sure how they'll go but I've had the best two weeks of readings I've had! Seemed to change at 32 weeks for the better.

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken, I've refused an induction at 38 weeks. Was adamant I wasn't having one. The compromise is a c-section at the beginning of September at 39 weeks. I'm ok with that as I have a few risk factors for an emergency c-section but still sad that I won't get to try for the water birth I wanted. I was just told "So you'll be induced at 38 weeks" and was just... "um... not unless it's absolutely necessary". They said with GD the placenta might not work as well after 39 weeks and I said "but it might work fine" and they agreed. But I'm also trying to understand that they are looking at potential problems. It's so hard as I want to go best for baby but I'm not convinced that's necessarily an induction at 38 weeks! But it may be right if baby isn't getting what she needs. So difficult! Also, growth scans are not always accurate so I find that confusing as baby is measuring on the 79th percentile but could be bigger or smaller. So many unknowns. Right now, I'm booked in for a cesarean at 39 weeks and I'm at peace with that, knowing that I can see how things go and that she may even come early.

Friends and family have told me to listen to my body and trust my instinct which I'm trying to do. And I'm reading up about things. I had reasons/ facts about my risk factors and they agreed with all them.

So just wanted to empathise with you. It's disappointing when things seem like they 'have' to change. Soon our little ones will be here and that's my focus 🥰

Thank you again.

I don’t have any other risk factors so hopefully I can argue my case, obviously depending on how the pregnancy progresses. I’m 29 weeks today.

@AdventuresAwait ah this is great news that you’ve had fantastic readings for the past two weeks. Same here I was diagnosed at 26weeks and it’s been trial and error testing what I can or cannot eat. Hopefully I’ll have a similar experience with levels being in range as pregnancy progresses. At my growth scan yesterday they said he was measuring on the 75th centile which they said was fine for his age etc. Fun and games hey! X

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken Sorry they made you feel that way at your appointment yesterday!
It seems strange they want to start the sweeps at 38 but want the baby out by 40…. Surely that means it’s ok to go on to 40!?

Definitely go with your gut and challenge what they tell you as it’s up to you at the end of the day.

I’m happy with whatever they suggest to me really as long as it can be after 1st September! I just need to get to 39+5!

I have also just had an annoying call with the diabetic nurse. She said to go up to two tablets Metformin with dinner as my fasting levels aren’t coming down yet after 4days. I told her that I found it strange they were going up after I started taking the Metformin rather than going down. She dismissed it and said just shows my body not taking in the Metformin. To up it to two and if no change in a week insulin. This seems so premature to me though?! I’m feeling low now. Any advice would be appreciated x

@Firevie
Sorry, Firevie. The worst part of all this is just how voiceless you feel. They don’t listen. I know they’re the experts but they could at least listen to our concerns and explain all the options instead of waving a hand and dismissing us.

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken thanks hun! Totally agree! They say do you have any questions but when you voice them you just get dismissed. I’ll def give it a week with two Metformin and that will hopefully do the trick. I’ll also do some bedtime yoga today - hopefully that will help. X

@CherLW.. I said the same.. 1st September or later 😊 They were happy with that!

My appointment is the day before yours next week @AdventuresAwait I’m a bit nervous as nothing has been spoken about yet regarding birth/needing to have baby earlier etc so I’m expecting it next week! I just hope I can say how I feel etc and get options.

Not too much longer until our next appointments @CherLW. Hope it goes well when you talk about birth recommendations. Do you have an idea of what you would choose? Or what you definitely don't want? Xx

@AdventuresAwait it’s a difficult one as I ideally wouldn’t want to be induced but I would rather that over a C-Section. Main reason I don’t want a section is I live on my own and even tho I’ll have people helping out I don’t want to have to rely on people for up to 6 weeks, also the no driving won’t work for me.
I just hope I can talk about it with them, I’m 35 weeks this Friday and still nothing with anyone 😕

Yes that makes sense @CherLW. I'm sure they'll talk to you about it next week and hopefully you'll feel much more reassured after talking it through. I was quite surprised how they listened and said yes straight away. All your scans have been fine, haven't they? Xx

@AdventuresAwait I’m hoping so, I feel like it’s about time 🙈 I just want to have something lined up. Yeh all my scans have been good.. she said last time his head was a bit bigger but the consultant told me to ignore that as all was in normal range etc.
It’s so good that they have listened to you needs and wants and booked you in… it’s nice to just know what could happen. X

Hi Ladies @AdventuresAwait @CherLW I'm really leaning towards a c ssection. I've had a tough time throughout and have had no say in birth plans, medications etc. It's hard. But I really don't want forceps involved. It'll stress me. So feel c.sec is less traumatic for me and baby and hubby. I don't want an operation again but illl have to get through it somehow. 🙏

@Sillysocks998 I know what you mean regarding forceps but I feel I would rather that or even the suction cup over a c section. I guess if the c section was planned it would be better than an emergency. I did a really good online workshop last week about complex Labour and birth from The Honest Midwife on Instagram and she spoke a lot about all those things like forceps etc and was really interesting.