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 @peoniesandpastels !

I forgot my metformin with breakfast today and got a high reading 🙈 just goes to show it works!

Hi All! May I join?

I didn't see this thread and created a separate one asking questions that you all can probably answer!

I've just been diagnosed with GD at 33 weeks.

Bit of a surprise, as I had GTT done at 28 weeks and the results were normal. My son was also measuring normal at 50th centile at thr growth scan at 28+5. Then this week, at 33 weeks, he is measuring at 95th centile and they sent me for OGTT. The hospital called this morning to confirm I have GD, fasting glucose level is 7.5 and they told me it should be 5.6 max. I've had no symptoms and put on just over a stone in weight having eaten mostly healthy throughout the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, so I guess I've been unlucky!

I have an appointment with a diabetes specialist next week, I'm wondering what you've all been told in terms of management?

Has anyone developed it so late into the pregnancy out of nowhere?

I am likely to have a planned section now as I do not wish to be induced due to prior MC history, were you told anything regarding birth options? xx

I forgot mine too this morning @Bubbles1st and got a high result after breakfast x

@AdventuresAwait @Bubbles1st I had a yoghurt just before I had a shower & went to bed last night & had a low fasting reading this morning, Hoping I can keep it up so I don't need to go on metformin as if I do they'll bring the birth forward by a week & then it would an august baby

Well done @GWhiteley!
They want to induce me at 38 weeks which would be August. I'm thinking of declining (as it is our choice) and asking for a c section at 39 (which would be September). Unless baby needs to come before 39.

You must be a week behind me then. If it were a choice between a c section & baby being born in august I'd go for being born in august. Will do anything not to have a c section if I don't have to. The thought of not being able to drive for 6 weeks sends me into a flat spin, especially as my parents & friends live 45 mins away

@GWhiteley, I feel the same about an induction! Will avoid it at all costs! And definitely want a Sep birth if I can.
My family are 1 to 3 hours away too but I don't drive so that doesn't factor into it for me!

Yes one week apart @GWhiteley. We go by the 9th as that was the first date given. But notes say the 10th.

@AdventuresAwait I'm due the 10th and I am
Certain I do not want an induction. I have been reading up and looking into reports and 22% of inductions end up in a c section anyway.

The uncertainty and stress of how it would take to work and would it safely really plays in my mind. Never mind the extended time in hospital.

I feel like many of my preferred birth options are no longer going to be available or certainly not recommended due to the associated extra risks now to consider, so if I can still have any say it's that I won't be induced.

Spontaneous and quick labour after 37 weeks and before anything else is suggested would be perfect .... adds to manifestation list 🤣

I agree @Bubbles1st! So my official date is the same as yours! (Hubby and I still go by the 9th but glad of the extra day in my notes now that they want baby girl out early!).
Yes I also read that many inductions end in a c-section anyway or an assisted birth which I also want to avoid. Plus the more I read about growth predictions only being an estimate, I now have worries about shoulder dystocia due to the GD and, due to my BMI, I'm more likely to need a cesarean anyway. I would rather it be planned than an emergency, and can ask for the 'gentle cesarean' and some requests that I feel are important to me, which might not be possible in an emergency situation. It is a personal decision and different for individuals but that's my choice. Plus my Mum and sister were unable to give birth naturally and I could have the same thing.
So for all my reasons above, as well as wanting a September birth (I know, not essential), that will be my request and I'll see what they say.
I would rather wait and give birth naturally (I really wanted a water birth) but my trust suggests birth at 38 weeks with GD so it feels sensible to have baby slightly early.

But yes to a natural labour after 38+4 please! 😊

@AdventuresAwait yes water birth was my preference to followed by midwife led unit. Neither now recommended.

My trust have been clear with me about when delivery is recommended by but as I'm already on insulin and metformin I'm assuming it's not the full 40 weeks, like you my BMI is high and already has associated risk. I've also now started blood thinners which I have to stop before labour is established or before a c section otherwise it can be very troublesome for blood loss and also can't have an epidural within 12 hours of last injection apparently, so planned section would also allow me to stop taking them and not be put to sleep if something goes down hill fast and ecs is necessary. Still feel like it's all a minefield. Must start my hypno birthing course soon.

Yes me too @Bubbles1st, it's lovely to be able to share as I think we have some similarities!
I'm reading my hypnobirthing book and will then start the online course.
Will sort my hospital bag soon too.

Similar to you both @AdventuresAwait and @Bubbles1st I'm due on the 8th and also high bmi so was already told no midwife unit etc. Looking forward to the first consultant appointment because I haven't been told anything about birth plans or if they would induce etc but that's not for another 3 weeks.

I'd really like to avoid a c section because I'm squeamish and worried about the recovery but perhaps naively I'd rather be induced than go over. I don't know though, never had a baby before so trying to go with the flow! I've also got a hypnobirthing course bought but I haven't done anything about it as yet..!

Liquid soap keeps trying to give me a heart attack. I washed my hands, took my blood sugar after breakfast - 8.8. Used an alcohol wipe, took it again. 5.6 🤷‍♀️

I need to wait until 39+5 for him to be a September baby… is this allowed with GD? I’m currently only diet controlled and I really really hope it stays this way but like everything I just don’t know.

It’s hard not even seeing the consultant or diabetic team until the 7th July as al this is just going over in my mind.

I have a complex Labour and birth workshop soon where I think they go over induction and C-Sections. Ideally I wouldn’t like a section because of the 6 week healing etc but is induction safe? I feel like I’m so under prepared and know so little 😕

@PurplePansy05 I was diagnosed at 30 weeks which is later than others. In terms of management I have been told to continue with complex carbs being the majority of the meal but I have been following the advice on the gestational diabetes website and eating more protein/vege and reducing carb products. No white carbs just brown bread/pita/rice but you have to see what works for you. Maybe start with smaller quantities and always pair your carbs with fat/protein. I have also cut out any juices, cereal, as well as cakes, chocolates. I don't have even yogurts now but it works for others.

Me too @CherLW. And from what I've read it is still your decision at the end of the day, but they could end up strongly recommending something if it puts harm to you and/or the baby.

I've had a read about induction, and although I don't like the idea of forceps as an option, I still prefer it to c section & you can still have an epidural. This is important to me as I have a low pain threshold.

It's not always the greatest idea, but on this occasion I suggest googling induction births & go on the nhs link to have a look

Just had my 2nd 5.5 fasting reading. I've text the clinic.... ☹

@GWhiteley I think if I have a choice I’ll be happier to go with anything as long as I can be 39+5 weeks at the time! Obviously if they suggest anything that is best I wouldn't go against their advice.

I’ve read induction births can be more painful also and that’s scary but I would opt for an epidural! C Section would be hard as Im not with the babies dad (he is involved) , I live on my own and would have to then rely on someone like my mum etc for a long time until I was healed!

@AdventuresAwait sorry to hear that 😞hopefully they give some advice?

Sorry to hear that @AdventuresAwait hope you can speak to someone soon for some help

I had a high after dinner reading yesterday because I stupidly ate carbs with more carbs (didn't check the recipe properly) and ruined what was a very good day of readings. It's my second reading over 7.8 but both definitely because of what I ate. The diabetic midwife isn't in until Monday so hopefully I can have a run of better days and speak to her then.

They haven't given me any advice on how many high readings are a concern, do any of you have more of a guide to follow?

Thanks @CherLW, just waiting to hear.

Thanks @bewitchingnight, no I don't have any advice to follow but I know they were more concerned about the fasting reading so I text them yesterday but mostly because I'd had a sightly high one and didn't really know why. So she said to let her know if today's was high also as they might start me on evening insulin.

@bewitchingnight when I last spoke to them they told me to get in touch if I had 3 high readings in a row… she didn’t say if that was all in one day or not but I would probably call them if it was.

She said if say I had three days in a row of fasting readings which were high.

I did one this morning at it said 5.4… which was my first 5 in the morning so did it two more times which both said 4.7!! It’s weird how it can be so in accurate!

Thank you @DressyGerbera, that's helpful xx

@CherLW that would certainly put a strain on you if you did have a c section. They have to take your wishes into account so when you have your consultants app I would definitely mention that.
Yes it does say it can be more painful if you're induced, but even that's more preferable to me than a c section!