The GD thread for the GD Ladies… Take 2

[CherLW]

Ladies I started another thread as we are so close to the original one being full!! I need this thread and all you lovely people xx

@Firevie maybe make a few small changes even if it’s down to one less potato or a few less pieces of pasta just for see if that has any difference? It’s always something isn’t it 🙈 just as we feel ok we turn another corner and get hit with something else! Are you diet controlled or have you been prescribed medication at all? You have got this, look what you’ve done already with a brand new diagnosis 😊 xxx

Thank you ❤️ It’s difficult as the only reason I will see the dad is because of the baby, I’m worried his expectations will be too high when I just want time bonding with the baby. It’s over between me and him and I would never stop him seeing the baby but it’s difficult too when you don’t really want to see them yourself 🤦🏻‍♀️ X

@Scotti84 thank you! You’re right I just need to pick myself up again and stop feeling down about it! You can do it! You are so so close. 1.5weeks is literally around the corner!!!
@CherLW thanks v much! I’m on 3x slow release Metformin for my fasting levels and they have kept my levels in check for the past two weeks. Tbh I don’t know what I was thinking with my breakfast today. I switched from my go to breakfast and had one whole whole meal pitta🤦🏽‍♀️ Did have it with okra and cheese and butter but added decaf tea with full fat milk too! Obv will stick to my go tos now and not bother experimenting in this 32/36weeks lol! Wondering what to have for lunch now. Think will stick with a safe salad and two oatcakes xxx

@CherLWsorry I should have said sorry to hear how you’re feeling about baby’s dad and that he will want to get more involved. I can’t even imagine how you’re doing it all - so brave! You will be the best mom to your baby and whilst the baby’s dad may be around a bit he won’t be able to take away that bond between you and your baby xx

@Firevie Thank you ❤️ it’s just a difficult situation. I love that he wants to be involved but a lot has happened in the past which makes it not as easy.
The main focus for me is the baby when he’s here 💙 as long as he’s happy and healthy then I’ll be ok.

It’s boring eating the same things all the time isn’t it 🤦🏻‍♀️. I’ve got a family bbq Sunday which I’m looking forward too as lots of meats and salads 😍

@Scotti84 steak and veg out at a restaurant sounds lovely 😍.
I think if the consultants aren’t worried about the babies weight then you shouldn’t either (easier said than done I know).
My last growth scan was at 35+5 and baby was weighing 6lb 10…. Just for some perspective. You should definitely not blame yourself for only testing every other day or having a few different foods! You’ve done amazingly!

I think the only thing that makes me think about babies weights is when the consultant says there is nothing to worry about and they are happy… I think easy for you to say you don’t have to get them out 😂🤦🏻‍♀️.

So, a few weeks ago I mentioned that I’d read about vitamin B6 with the active P5P ingredient helping with GD. I bought some (50mg) and have been taking one with breakfast every morning for about two weeks.
My numbers have levelled right out.
While I’ve only had one reading out of range in the 6 weeks I’ve been diagnosed, they have been jumping around all over the place (between 3.7-7.6)
For the last week they have become very steady and very controlled.
I’m always in the low fours for my fasting readings and always in the fives if I have a carb meal or remained in the fours if I have salad and fish with a pint of water for example.
I’ve read that the vitamin can inhibit milk production so I’ll stop taking them towards the end of the pregnancy.
I just thought I’d share my experience.

Does anyone else have trouble with their fasting readings? I don't seem to have any issues with my post meal readings which are rarely above 7.0 but my fasting readings consistently come out as 5.6 and above. I've tried a late night snack, no more food after dinner, drinking water through the night and am now up to two metformin and they're still not coming down. Starting to get really frustrated with it as it feels completely out of my control. I'm 35+1 if that helps.

@PineappleSun took me about 8 weeks slowly increasing insulin before mine levelled out to below 5.3

Been steady for nearly 2 weeks now and only have just over a week to go....

Maybe insulin is next for you to get where you need to be.

@PineappleSun, I'm sure they told me that the fasting levels are pretty much out of our control as it is linked to the early morning rush of hormones. Mine were fine once I started the insulin.

My morning fasting readings are lower the earlier I get up.
This morning was 6.30 and I got a 3.9
When my husband gets up with the kids and I’ve slept in until 8 it’s more like 4.8

Yes I think mine get higher the later I have breakfast too @AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken. Good levels for fasting, you must not be on insulin? Xx

No. I’m still diet controlled but only 32 weeks so a long way to go

Thought so @AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken as I wouldn't be able to have readings in the 3's as I'm on insulin! My readings have got better in the last few weeks so hopefully you'll just remain diet controlled.

I hope so too. I’m taking vitamin B6 which seems to have really levelled my readings out and I’m not as jumpy (but within range) as the first month.

That's great @AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken!

Hey ladies, how is everyone getting on? I’m 38+3 today and I feel exhausted!! I have been busy the past 2-3 days so it’s definitely caught up on me!
I still haven’t started trying to colostrum harvest… I’m worried it will bring on Labour but I know it will be so beneficial.. I feel stuck knowing what to do! Anyone started it? Going to? Or feel the same as me?

Ive not started it, im 39 weeks today so probably should but tbh the thought of it weirds me out a bit. Im bloody knackered, aching joints and bones and am starting project get baby out this week. Hubby finishes work on wed so she can happily come anytime after that. Trying to be arsed to walk a fair bit a day but its a struggle! I keep looking at the chocolate stash i have in the fridge for after the birth... cant wait until im sat with baby on knee dunking cadbury caramel chocolate in my coffee!

I keep thinking I’ll start in September as that’s when I ideally want the birth to be but then I think will it be too late!
I feel so tired too and i worry if I can’t do it then I’ll just stress out or get upset about not getting it!
How exciting ‘project get baby out’ I can’t believe the time is finally here! I try and walk a bit each day just to keep moving but it’s getting harder each day!
That sounds like the dream 😍 can’t wait for some chocolate and to not feel guilty for eating it!

Hi @CherLW, I'm 37+4 & am good thanks. Only 10 days to go! Getting a bit nervous and emotional.
I spoke with the breastfeeding specialist at my midwife clinic when I had my last appointment. I said I was worried about trying to harvest colostrum as I didn't want to start labour. She suggested I could start on the evening of the 31st and try on the 1st as well as the 2nd (she said it might give me something to do while waiting to go to theatre!). However she also said that many women don't and are able to feed or collect it without problems. I said I was aware it can help if baby's blood sugars are low due to the GD and she said if baby wasn't latching well immediately, they'd help me harvest some in hospital but that a baby suckling is the best way to encourage supply. So I'm thinking about trying on the 1st but didn't feel it was essential after speaking with her. At the moment I have no leaking or any sign that I'm ready. Again, she said it's no indication of whether it's possible to feed after birth so not to worry. There seems to be a lot of support following birth.

@PineappleSun same as a few other ladies I too struggled with fasting levels. I was up to 2 metformin with my evening meal and nothing helped. I was started on nighttime insulin at around 30 weeks and it’s helped. Once I got to 32 weeks it crept up again but after gradually increasing how many units it’s now finally settled at 16 each night.

I was also told that the fasting level is the one we can’t control through what we do or eat etc.

I’m now 36 weeks and unfortunately during the dreaded 32-36 week change I stopped having really good post mean readings and ended up on a different insulin that I now take before each meal too. But every reading I’ve done for the past couple of weeks now has been perfect and I’m more or less eating what I want!

37+5 feeling ok but knackered! Similar to you @CherLW I'm still trying to get out and walk but it's definitely a waddle and doesn't take me very far!

I've tried to harvest colostrum so many times now but absolutely nothing has happened so whilst I might try again now and then I'm not going to try regularly because I just found it stressful and I was disappointed nothing happened! Hopefully all will ok when she's here and feeding goes relatively smoothly 🤞🏻

Thanks ladies, they've put me up to 1 metformin with breakfast and 2 with dinner but said they want to go aggressive with it and I feel like I'll be on insulin in no time. I feel a bit of a failure for not being able to control it and weeks of eating nothing but broccoli and babybel has all been for naught.

@AdventuresAwait I can’t imagine how it feels to have a planned c section, my emotions would be all over the place but I could do with knowing the day as at the moment I’m just saying anytime at all!! That’s good advice! I think even waiting until the 1st will benefit me and if it works then it works abs if not then hopefully I’ll get some help if needed in hospital. My next appointment is the first so I’ll at the very least have a day or two depending on what they say…. Unless of course he makes an early arrival!

We had a family bbq at the weekend and everyone was saying what they thought the weight and date would be and it upset me a bit 🙈 all just assuming he’s going to be big!

@bewitchingnight I think it’s good to keep moving… people tell me I should be relaxing but I’m trying to make time for a bit of activity and relaxing each day.
I think I would be the same, if it didn’t work I would get stressed that it wasn’t working!

@CherLW I started trying 4 days ago with nothing to show for it other than glistening nipples, had a midwife appointment this morning who gave me some tips and after I came home I managed this 'whopping' amount 🤣

It's not a lot but it's spurred me in to keep trying and midwife said even a syringe will help if needed.

She said you can try up to 4 times a day and add to same Syringe so hoping to get a bit more later.

@Bubbles1st even tho that’s such a small amount it’s going to be so beneficial! The midwife keeps telling me whatever amount you get it’s so good. I think seeing it’s working for you makes me think I really should at least try!

I did wonder how many times a day/week they recommend to do it. I know you can use one syringe for 24 hours before freezing but good to know up to 4 times a day!

I’m still keeping up the perennial massage so I feel that’s something at least 🙈

@CherLW yes seeing any is motivation. Also what midwife showed me did hurt a bit and I did I hadn't been doing that because it isn't supposed to hurt and she basically said well to some degree it is going to especially when establishing it.

She also reassured that if I couldn't collect any then even the stimulation and seeing the droplets appear is a good sign that it may help when it comes to the time.

Fingers crossed anyone else giving it ago gets some results.

Also might just be a coincidence but I definitely get some belly twinges whilst doing it!