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

Hi @Scotti84 it'll definitely have some stress impact on relationships because hubby will have to do everything for me. I hope by then I am calmer about housework. Because I currently don't let him relax. Serious nesting going on. Even if something just needs to go upstairs, it's on my mind. Until the next thing. So if u have any bug bears, calm them, try feed baby as much as you can, bring a bed into the lounge? And hubby will do food, pets and laundry. Take it 1 week at a time. Always try to use a calm voice and talk rationally if it's possible. None of us know what we'll feel like after. We might be an emotional mess. Offer him some time out? Maybe to go work out? Or for a walk? Tell him to take baby for a walk for 30 mins, get some you time? I'm thinking of these things. Breakfast in bed will hopefully be on his list for me as well be feeding. Request the same breakfast lol just to make week 1 easier? Then tweak the plan as you / we get stronger. The alternative is rows, tension and stress which we don't want. Maybe say look for week 1 can you do as much as poss and just have a weekly goal for him? Say laundry. Cook main meals in evening? Sorry I'm rambling but it has worried me a little too as now I'm having c section. Try be more prepared now with your snacks at least so u don't keep asking for everything x

@Sillysocks998 taking it week by week is a good idea, I've stocked up on pasta bake sauces, which are not that interesting but thought they are easy enough for him to bang in the oven without too much prep and I plan to make a couple of lasagne for the freezer. I'm not good at being looked after, I'm pretty independent and I know it will frustrate the hell out of me having to ask him to do stuff for me. We have spoke about it and he understands completely and we've promised each other that if it gets too much for one of us we just need to say that we need a break, be that from each other or baby or just to go for a walk etc. I'm sure we'll all be fine, it's just the thought of it all isn't it

Ladies we will soon need another thread!!

I can’t remember if we have spoken about it but Colostrum Harvesting…. They say it’s really beneficial for babies who are born when their mums have GD. I got given a pack of syringes from the hospital the other day and they say it’s good start around 37 weeks!! I really want to do it as even without the GD I’m hoping it will go well and ill have some stored for the hospital incase I struggle with BF.

My only worry is it says it can bring on Labour!! Which I really don’t want! But I’ve also heard that’s a really small chance that it will as if it was a higher chance they would get ladies doing that over being induced etc.

Is anyone else thinking of doing it? Started it? I’ve only just got the hang of oiling my perineum… next stage massaging my boobs 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

@CherLW, I'm definitely interested in harvesting Colostrum but it hasn't been mentioned yet. Was it your midwife who gave you the syringes? I'm also worried about it bringing on labour as I really don't want her to come early so good to hear it isn't likely.

@CherLW oiling your perineum is a new one on me!

When the midwife I saw flew threw my birthing plan she mentioned about the colostrum, but said the midwives at the hospital would go through that with me at some point 🤷‍♀️

@CherLW definitely instead in starting harvesting colostrum here, not worried about brining on labour early, one because I don't think the risk is high and two because if it
Meant I didn't need a c section or to be induce or be happy!

I still haven't started the perineum massage.....

@AdventuresAwait when I went for my growth scan/consultant I mentioned it to the diabetic midwife and she gave me a pack. I’ve also seen online that you can buy the bits through the honest Midwife (and probably other places).

@GWhiteley 😂 oh it’s so strange! I was reading up a lot and my midwife said it really can help so I thought why not! It’s like a stretching massage with oil and it can help prevent tearing possibly.. I haven’t got anything to loose so thought I would give it a go!
Maybe have a chat with yours if you wanted to harvest it as we should be starting Friday 😬

@Bubbles1st I think if it’s something that can help in anyway possible it’s definitely worth it. I’ve read stories of people trying for ages and then get a tiny drip or two! But apparently it’s liquid gold fo a baby in those early hours!

If you do start the massage, good luck 😂 the positions I’ve tested… on my goodness! Getting down there with the bump isn’t the most attractive and comfortable thing 😂

Hi Ladies,

I've been reading this thread for about a week but it's my first post. I'm 27 weeks on my second GD pregnancy. I've been testing and doing the diet since week 6 and on night time insulin since week 14. I was diet controlled last time but my fastings were high and I couldn't get them down. I've been on 5 units for 3 months but kind of expecting if to get worse soon.

I'm in Ireland and the limits are a little lower here - under 5 for fasting and under 7 one hour after eating.

On the colostrum harvesting - I did it last time and would really recommend it for anyone who wants to breastfeed. I had four tiny syringes full and the baby got all four on night 1. It meant he had a good feed and his sugar's didn't dip too low. It's not so easy to get the latch in the beginning and knowing he had a good stomach full to get him started took some worry away.

I'm going to do it again for sure. I think I started at 37 weeks last time. I got a c section at 41 weeks after no sign of any progress. So there was no sign of it bringing on early labour for me!

I will say it was very very slow at the start. Tiny amounts! I think after 39 weeks I started to get a little more at a time.

Well I had my growth scan and consultant appointment today.

Baby is tracking on 50th febrile apart from his tummy where he’s 90th 🙈 but they’re happy with his measurements as all are within range and he’s following the charts from previous scans.

He’s estimated to be currently 5lb 5oz, and they’ve booked my c section for 37+4 due to the fact I’m now on 10 units nighttime insulin and pre meal insulin.

I have to go in for steroid injections a couple days before which I’m not looking forward to as I’ve been told by several people they’re really painful!

But otherwise they’re happy and they’re estimating he’ll be around 7.5/8lb born but I honestly think he’s going to be way bigger lol.

I actually feel a little terrified it’s now booked. But equally looking forward to stopping the insulin etc!

@CherLW, I was planning on the perineum massage. My husband was going to do it but I had forgotten to do it since the c-section date was agreed. But maybe we should start in case baby comes early!

I really want to harvest colostrum and will be praying it doesn't bring on labour. But I have no indications that I have any milk ready... anyone else? Xx

@Moominmiss I bet it feels so real
Now you have a Date! How far are you now?

Other than actual being on insulin give they give a reason why baby needs to come before 38 weeks? As I don't want steroids if I can help it and I believe they are not needed after 38 weeks but obviously each trust differs as we know with their guidance.

Hi @AdventuresAwait my breasts feel the same lol 😁. No cracking, dryness etc, not sore. Boobs feel heavier but I had big boobies before. I don't feel like I'm about to leak any milk anytime soon either.

Ok thanks @Sillysocks998. I've been a bit worried as they changed in the first few weeks and now nothing. Thanks for your reply.

@Moominmiss, it's nice to have a date isn't it? Mine is at 39 weeks as they wanted her out between 38 and 39 as soon as I was on medication for the GD. Do you know why they have said before 38 weeks? My baby is 6lbs now (35 + 4) so predictions say about 8lbs at 39 weeks. How many weeks are you now?

@Bubbles1st, I think it's before 38 weeks for steroids in my trust too.

@Bubbles1st yes it’s feeling very real! Date is 3rd September. I’m 34 weeks today, so it’s 3 weeks this Friday!

Nope, purely because of the insulin/medication that they want to do it early. She originally wanted to book me in at 39 weeks, then I started on the medication so she was going to go for 38 weeks, but during the appointment today she changed her mind and wanted to do 37 weeks bang on, but that would be the bank holiday Monday, and then the next available slot was the Friday at 37+4.

In my trust, if baby is planned to be delivered before 39 weeks then you’re given steroids.
It’s a fairly recent (in the last couple of years) change, as my 2nd and 3rd were born by elective section at 38+2 and I never needed steroids with either of them, but that was 7 and 9 years ago!

@AdventuresAwait it really is nice to have a date, makes it seem so real now though to think it’s only just over 3 weeks away now! I’m 34 weeks today. How much longer until your section? What’s your date?

I’ve honestly no idea why she brought it forward from 38 weeks. Literally at the start of the appointment she told me she’d booked me in for the 6th which is 38 weeks, but then towards the end, she sort of looked at my notes and said she’d rather get me in nearer to 37 weeks so she went off to see if they could fit me in. Then came back and said 3rd. It’s only 3 days difference so not sure why the importance. But even if they’d stuck with 6th, I’d still have had to have the steroids as it’s before 39 weeks which is their cut off.

Literally everything with the growth scan and his measurements look great and just show an average size baby.

@Moominmiss, my date is the 2nd September so 3 weeks on Thursday! I'll be 39 weeks (by my dates, 38+6 according to the hospital team dates!) My growth scan was looking fine too so they're not worried about her size, though we'll see! We have no more scans or consultant appointments before her birth, do you? Xx

@AdventuresAwait omg so close!!!
Nope, no more appointments with consultant or scans.
They were going to get me in for one more growth scan if theyd have done the section any later, but moving it earlier they said there wasn’t much point.

So apart from my steroid appointments and pre op, that’s it, other than regular midwife appointments. Although I have one this week with her, and not sure when my next will be. 36 weeks maybe?

They did say I need to have a phone appointment with the diabetic team before my steroid appointments though as apparently the steroids can have quite a big impact on sugar levels and insulin so they want me to speak to them two they can tell me what they want me to do in terms of how much insulin to take and when etc.

Hi ladies, it's been such a long time since I posted but I've been keeping up! Been struggling a bit with motivation for the last few weeks to be honest, but I feel a bit more positive after my most recent appointment with the diabetic clinic & growth scan.

Little update - she's still on the 50th centile, I'm still diet controlled (despite a few wobbles over the last couple of weeks), seeing the consultant on Thursday (haven't met him yet). I'm 36 weeks on Weds and at 38 weeks I'll have my last growth scan and get my induction date. I know a lot has been said about inductions on here already but I'm happy with having one if she doesn't make an appearance before her due date.

Re colostrum harvesting, definitely going to be trying to, although I have absolutely no sign of anything in that department yet! I'll hopefully be able to pick up syringes (?) at one of my next appointments.

Hospital bag snacks - so far I'm thinking oatcakes, a jar of peanut butter, and maybe some lentil crisps. Someone on this thread ages and ages ago mentioned protein cereal bars - I bought some nature valley protein bars to try and had one today. Tested sugars 30mins and 1 hour later and both were fine so I think I'll pack those too. Can't lie, I've also got a massive bar of chocolate in there for post birth!

@Moominmiss and @AdventuresAwait so exciting you both have your dates, it's getting real now!

@bewitchingnight hearing you on the chocolate. I cant get Cadbury over here, but I love Cadbury caramel chocolate more than any other kind, so I've ordered a big bar from England for my hospital bag. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to breaking into that after the birth!!!

@Moominmiss, exciting! I think these last 3 weeks will go quickly! Xx

@Scotti84 it's got to be done! We'll have earned it!

@AdventuresAwait I had a breastfeeding webinar thing today, and she said to definitely not try harvesting colostrum before you're 27 weeks pregnant for that very reason.
She also said when you get past 37 weeks you could try massaging your boobs to encourage them to start 'leaking' it, but you may have to persevere as it might not happen overnight

Ok thank you @GWhiteley. So they did say it can bring on labour? Xx

@AdventuresAwait that's what she seemed to hint at, but didn't come right out & say it

Hi Ladies. Bit low this lunch time. I had the same pasta as last night for lunch today only to have 8.7mmol reading 1 hour later. I may have had a few extra pieces of fusilli pasta🙄. I was starving after so not a much bigger than ydays portion. After lunch readings getting a little higher now but fasting is OK. 😭😭😭. I'm 33 weeks so we expected this. The GD MW at yesterday's review was really stern too made me feel like shite! She's calling me for another review on Friday to see how I've done and if I need insulin! I already inject Enaxoparin in the mornings😏. Got a consultant meeting too, they might book me in for c section next week / at any point. Would the GD MWs prescribe me meds for a week?
The only positive is the nature valley nut bar and choc milk I tolerated as last night's snack. Hope that doesn't change as its keeping me going. What's everyone's movements like now? Or at 33.5 weeks? I've hardly any kicking, just moving/ worming about. It's not painful kicks. Never has been tbf. So I'll try my absolute best with GD diet until Friday and see what the MW says. I tend to have 2 days good and then a high reading after a meal. Is that what yours is like? Thank you x

@Sillysocks998 i gave up trying to understand it, I'd get loads of good readings then one high with something i thought was safe. I think things like how much youve moved in the day, how well you sleep, stress etc all have an impact too. Its frustrating though isnt it!