Gestational diabetes

[CarrotCake44]

Has anyone had any experience with gestational diabetes? After having the test, the initial nil by mouth blood results was fine as was the blood result an hour later after drinking the sugar drink, but it is the blood result after 2 hours that is over! Does this mean I actually have gestational diabetes, or borderline? Am due to see the diabetic doctor who will explain what I need to do! Am so worried!

I had it in previous pregnancy so am likely to get it again, tested earlier this time (16 weeks) and so far negative, another at 26 weeks.

GD pregnancy - my fasting was fine, didn't have 1 hour test, but slightly high after 2 hours. Did they take blood at one hour and 2 hour intervals?

If it was over then you have GD, it gets progressively worse / harder to control but I did manage to stay diet controlled throughout.

Wait and see what diabetes team say (but basically ignore any dietician they refer you to because their advice seems to be massively out of date for GD!)

Have a look at the GDUK website and linked FB group - absolutely godsend for me!

www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk

It is a scary time, but it gets a lot easier once you get your head round everything :) feel free to ask any questions! x

@Amz6219
So sorry for late reply... and thank you so much for the information, that website is sooo helpful.
Yes, they took 3 bloods: initial fasting, then after 1 hour and then 2 hours. I am not based in UK so they may do things slightly differently here!
Anyway, I have seen the diabetes doctor and the outcome is that I have gestational diabetes and I need to inject myself with low dose of insulin. I bawled my eyes out! I thought I was prepared to hear this, but looks like not!! Honestly felt really silly sitting there sobbing... I blame the hormones!!!
What gets me, is that I am so careful what I eat... I don't have a sweet tooth, don't drink carbonated drinks, don't have sugar in tea or coffee, don't eat too much bread etc etc etc.....
Going to get back to reading the website and thanks again 😊

Sorry to jump in on this thread but can I ask @Amz6219 about your diagnosis?

I had a fasting glucose test on Monday morning. I’d fasted since 8pm Sunday and had my test at 8am Monday. It wasn’t the 2 hour appointment where you have the drink. It was JUST the initial fasting test.

My results have come in on the nhs app and it says ‘normal’. But then when you click into see the actual test result it says

plasma glucose fasting level was 6.5mmol/l. (3.4-6.5)

It says ‘above high reference limit if not known to be diabetic and if fasting with glucose result of 6.1-6.9mmol/l. Arrange glucose tolerance test. Speak to nurse.

Nobody from the surgery has been in touch with me. I phoned them and they weren’t aware of anything as the result outwardly states normal.

Nobody knew what to do so they’ve just requested the midwife contact me tomorrow sometime.

Does it seem like I might have GD? Or is there no way to know without the full GTT? Is 6.5 a high result for the fasting test?

I’m a little concerned that nobody seems too fussed. I just don’t want undiagnosed GD.

I’m 28+2.

@CarrotCake44 I’m sorry you’re feeling really emotional following your diagnosis. I can only imagine how you feel. I think up to now I’d been really quite naive about the possibility of having it. I really truly thought there’s no way I would.

While I don’t have a diagnosis yet, it’s finally dawning on me that actually it’s a very real possibility that I could, and it terrifies me. I feel very out of my depth. I’ve no idea how I’ll overhall my diet to fit around a potential diagnosis. I have 3 children and just eat whatever fits in with what they have. We eat lots of pasta and dairy. I don’t have a massive sweet tooth but all of a sudden I feel really scared at maybe having to restrict things so much.

@Moominmiss
Or course you can come in on this thread 😊
I really can't comment on how it all works in the UK, as am not based there, buy it does seem odd no-one can give you an answer... did you manage to speak to the midwife?
I think I must have been naive too as was abolutely convinced that I wouldn't have it as (I think) I eat sensibly and in moderation!! I have now got an appointment to see the diabetic doctor again next week, so she can see how my bloods have been this time with insulin injections 🤞 Nervous all over again!!
In the meantime, if you don't have a diagnosis yet, I would cut back on the pasta you eat (if you don't mind me saying), just in case.
Maybe @Amz6219 or someone else can give you better advice?

Hi @Moominmiss! It is so daunting but you do just get on with it and manage, think you end up surprising yourself tbh!

I found things like chocolate mousse from the GDUK website and ‘trifle’ (no sugar jelly, no sugar angel delight and whipped full fat cream) sat in the fridge always helped if I wanted to pick something, they’re quick to make and can last a few days.

Not everything is off limits, it’s just learning to pair and what you can tolerate - get plenty of babybels in! X

@CarrotCake44 oh my goodness I was the same, I called by husband unable to breathe with crying! I didn’t expect to have it for one minute because I’m so healthy, and I was so upset because I thought I’d let my baby down. He’s now 3 and a super happy, healthy boy! My GD went the minute he was out… strange condition!

Good luck with it, you will be fine, you’ve got this 💪🏼 X

I'm paying subs to www.gestionaldiabetes.co.uk over a year since I gave birth because I loved the recipes so much - they were an absolute life saver and I still use a lot of them.

I managed to control my GD through diet but please don't beat yourself up if you have to go on medication. Morning fasting levels are notoriously hard to control in particular and I was lucky that my morning levels were OK.

Same @Waitwhat23! Never cancelled my subscription (3 years ago!), and another GTT with second baby next week makes me think I’ll be back on the recipes! X

Well @CarrotCake44 and @Amz6219 I did get my diagnosis.

I finally was able to speak with someone and had a telephone appointment with a diabetic nurse and a dietician.

I’ve been testing 4 times a day and mostly managing to keep my readings ok. All except my fasting one first thing. It’s been high every single time so I’ve been told it’s likely I will start metformin and then possibly insulin.

I’ve found a few things I’ve been able to eat that I’ve always cooked for the family so it’s nice to not have to cut everything out.

Feels like it’s going to be a long 8 or 9 more weeks!!

Bear in mind that some things you may tolerate better than others - I could eat reasonable portions of basmati rice and pasta without too many problems but bread and potatoes were an absolute no go for me. I made a list of all the things I wanted to eat after I gave birth and a massive pile of buttered toast was top of my list!

On the GD website, I can recommend the korma, chocolate cheesecake, trifle, brownie, bounty bars and choc chip traybake. The macaroons are horrible - don't bother!

Thank you @Waitwhat23. Yeah I’ve found my Thai green curry that I make with Philadelphia cheese, with white rice is fine. But my bowl of cereal is a huge no no. Thought I’d try a very small bowl in the hope I might tolerate it, but nope, it gave me my highest reading to date.
So far that’s the biggest thing I miss. A lovely bowl of crunchy cereal with ice cold milk!

Every time I have something where my levels stay good I make a note of it. I log it in my app too, but for shopping purposes a separate list in my phone comes in handy.

I had a small amount of oppo ice cream tonight straight after my tea so now patiently waiting until 7.45 to test and see if I tolerated my tea (that I know I’m ok with), along with a bit of ice cream!

My GD shopping list (which I still use) -
Nairns Dark Chocolate Oat Biscuits (40% less sugar)
Pepperami
Babybel
Oppo Ice Cream
Philadelphia
Burgen Soya and Linseed Bread
70% dark chocolate (anything higher and I find it inedible)
Wholemeal wraps (for GD pizza)
Inulin sugar substitute
Xylitol sugar substitute
Coconut milk/cream
All the nuts!

Hardly anyone can tolerate cereal. I missed Rice Krispies so much.

I ended up not being able to have carbs at all in the morning but by the evening I could tolerate a lot more - fine with brown rice and pasta but bread/potatoes were a massive no 😭

You’ll definitely do better than you think, and the food in hospital after birth is even more amazing!

Got my second test this week, so will soon know if I’m joining you! X

I have to start metformin tonight 😞

They’re giving me until Friday and if it doesn’t bring my fasting levels diet then I’ll be on nighttime insulin too 😩

Sometimes there’s just nothing you can do @Moominmiss, not your fault in the slightest, just how your body works.

Don’t be too hard on yourself, just got to do what you’ve got to do. Sending ❤️ X