Gestational diabetes

[catlady1234]

Hi Everyone,

I can't seem to find any current threads.
Has anyone recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

I'm 30 weeks pregnant and this week iv been monitoring my blood sugar levels. I don't have any symptoms. But my levels are all crazy high, even my fasting levels. Iv been strictly eating the diet they recommended, but it's not making my levels drop at all. They have told me it's hormonal.

Iv just started metformin with the expectation that il start insulin next week if nothing improves.

If anyone has any tips, advise or is going through anything similar- it would be great to hear

Thanks x

Hi there if you haven't already please check out the gestational diabetes uk website:

www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk

There is also a Facebook group which is fantastic for advice & support. You'll find the dietary advice is worlds apart from the NHS advice but it really works. There's also loads of useful articles, recipes & advice.

I was diagnosed at 25 weeks & have followed the GDUK advice from the start. I'm now 35 weeks & while I have had to start Metformin & insulin as my insulin resistance is quite bad I know I would be in a much worse state without this invaluable website.

Good luck & I'm happy to answer any questions/point you in the right direction! x

@catlady1234 my baby is now 6 weeks old, but I was diagnosed at 28 weeks, and like you was unable to control my fasting levels, no matter what I ate. You’re right in that the fasting levels isn’t something you’re able to control via diet and is hormonal, so not your fault at all.

I was started on metformin which helped slightly initially, but unfortunately I was on insulin at bed time by 30 weeks to help control my fasting levels.

Up until 32 weeks the insulin was controlling my fasting levels, and my diet was controlling my other readings, but at 32 weeks all of a sudden I wasn’t able to tolerate the things I previously had been, and my fasting levels were high again. I’d heard that at 32 weeks your levels can go a bit weird and my diabetic team confirmed that.

So at 32 weeks my nighttime insulin was upped and I was basically told to up it by 2 units each day if my fasting levels were still high in the mornings.

I was also started on a different insulin for before each meal.

Things sort of settled a bit until 35 weeks where the levels crept up again and my consultant decided to bring my c section date forward to 37+4 due to the amount of insulin I was on.

There was a thread on here that helped massively and the ladies on there were all so helpful and knowledgeable. Also as the poster above mentioned the GD website is full of advice and recipe ideas. They also have a Facebook page which I found super helpful.

@catlady1234
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 11 weeks via blood test as I fit the criteria for it.
I’m now 29+2, been diet controlled but I am starting insulin at night for fasting levels on Tuesday as they are above 6 everyday. They won’t give me metformin as I suffer IBS.

I have struggled a lot with the diet & fell of the wagon many times, and the guilt is unreal.
I got onto the GD website and have found some relief in advice on there.

I also know tolerances change around 32-36 weeks so what you could tolerate you possibly may not be able to tolerate then. I’m still learning after being diagnosed all this time, and it’s not easy not being able to eat what you crave.
I’m around just for a genuine chat/moan. the end is near x

I was diagnosed at 26 weeks, I'm now 31 weeks and my fasting levels and post reading numbers were high no matter what diet wise I tried to do so ended up on metformin, nighttime slow release insulin and morning fast release insulin so far.

Initially it's a really over whelming diagnosis I found, but the gestational diabetes uk website and Facebook site really helped me through. I second the recommendation above. one thing I have learnt is foodwise what everyone tolerates is very individual. Some people can manage toast for breakfast for example, some cant. It's about learning what works for you and trying not to feel disheartened when something doesn't always work. Individual tolerances also change as you progress through pregnancy I'm finding and meds sometimes need to be reviewed to accommodate it. It's not because you've failed It's just our bodies doing weird things. It also takes a bit of time to get the balance of meds right if you go on them it took about two weeks of gradual increasing of insulin and metformin to get to a point where my sugars were more stable and within range. Nearing 32 weeks now and I suspect the GD team will need to tweek them again as they've started to change again :)

There's also good recipes on that GD UK website to use as subsitites for things you might be missing... like desserts, sauces and meals etc and have been great when I'm feeling a bit bummed out.

Good luck op xx

@JackJack84

Thanks for the website link- il definitely have a look. I don't have Facebook but il look on the website.

The information from the nhs soo far has been very confusing. It's been frustrating me that I can't seem to work out how to manage it.

Do you still measure your levels 4 times a day?

Thanks

@Moominmiss

Thanks for the insights. I'm very new to all this and iv found it frustrating so far. Things don't work the logical way if expect. I'm almost afraid to eat incase I eat the wrong thing. It's my first pregnancy too, so it's quite overwhelming.

My fasting levels are currently around 8! Iv tried taking the reading earlier and having a healthy snack before bed like the doctor recommended, but iv not got it lower than 7!

My after breakfast readings are really high- 9 etc. Iv tried a number of breakfast ideas they told me, none seem to work. Iv tried plain eggs, fruit, skyr yogurt etc. Small portions etc.

I only get good readings after lunch? It doesn't seem to matter what I eat (I have tried a variety of healthy things)

After dinner is always very high too- tonight was 11.3! I can only get them low if I eat plain lettuce and plain chicken.

With the insulin do you get low readings most of the day? Did you take metformin and insulin together?

Are you still taking it after the birth?

Thanks

Hi @MrsGxx

Thanks for your message. Are you finding it hard?

I'm a bit of an all or nothing person and iv bern a bit obsessed about trying to only eat the right things. But my levels are through the roof.

Have you had much help from the hospital? Have you had scan etc?

I had a growth scan today but they said the baby was normal size 🤷🏻‍♀️ x

Thanks @Taenia

It's good to hear other people's experiences. Iv been driving myself crazy trying to make it better with diet. Nothing is working which is driving me a bit mad. I can't see the logic.

Some times I eat crazy healthy and still get a high peak. I'm worried I'm being a bit too restrictive with what I'm eating... I don't know what the right balance is yet!?

I have only just started taking metformin, but it hasn't kicked in yet.

Does the insulin give you any side effects?

Thanks

@catlady1234 it really is a minefield to get your head around to start with.

I always thought of diabetes as something where you just have to avoid cakes and sweets etc, but GD is so different and more in depth. I had no idea about pairing foods and limiting carbs etc.

I’d find one day I could eat a certain meal and get a decent reading, then a few days later, I’d eat the same meal but get sky high levels!

I was never able to get my fasting level under control until I started on insulin. I was never able to tolerate anything for breakfast either. I tried everything from cereal, to toast, to a piece of fruit, a ryvita cracker, nuts and seeds etc, nothing would give me a decent reading, so I spoke to my diabetic team nurses and told them I’d rather skip breakfast and they were ok with that. Lunch Would be hit and miss with my readings, and then my evening meals were pretty much the same.

I was on the metformin and insulin together. Id take 2g metformin with my evening meal, then my insulin before bed. And then throughout the day I’d inject 10 minutes before each meal.

It did the job at keeping my levels pretty controlled and I as able to tolerate way more stuff. Until I hit 32 weeks where I had to begin upping my insulin to keep my levels stable.

The last time I had insulin was the night before my c section. The surgeon had me test my levels a couple of times before I was taken into theatre, both times were ok, and that was that. 6 weeks on and I’ve not tested my levels again or had any insulin or metformin.

I had a fasting blood test on Friday (6weeks pp) to check that the diabetes has gone and currently waiting for the results but fingers crossed that’s it!

@catlady1234

No the insulin has no side effects for me at all I actually find I prefer the insulin to the metformin really.

I found without medication I was getting the same type of readings as you initially, and couldn't really eat anything at all. Was told that eating no carbs at all wasn't good and often had issues with ketones which also wasn't good. The medication just made life so much easier and I was able to eat better and was less scared to eat. Its also my first pregnancy so all a little scary!

@catlady1234 yes I'm still doing my 4 tests a day. I know exactly what you mean about it being frustrating, sometimes I feel like I can't get my head around it at all. But I must say going on insulin has been a game changer for me. It was so stressful constantly having high fasting readings, feeling like I was letting my baby down. But since I've found the dose that works for me everything feels much easier & more manageable.

@Moominmiss

Thanks for sharing- it's good to know I'm not the only one finding it complicated.
I think iv been over thinking/ analysing everything. I have found the past week really stressful.

Iv got my appointment with the diabetes team next Thursday so I should get my insulin then.

Did you have a c-section because of the GD? Or was that planned before?

@Taenia, I'm glad I'm not alone! My boyfriend thinks I'm driving myself mad trying to fix something I can't.
I just want the best for me & the baby.

The scan yesterday measured him as a normal size which makes me feel loads better.

Annoyingly I'm really poorly... iv got an awful head cold/ sore throat. Iv been awake all night and have no appetite. I'm worried about what to eat today being soo poorly.

Iv also got awful heartburn and I'm struggling to sleep- I'm wondering if it the metformin? 🤷🏻‍♀️

@JackJack84 how long did it take to get your insulin levels right?
Iv got my appointment on Thursday, so they should tell me more then.
Il be 31 weeks by my appointment, I wonder how long iv had it for 😬

I had GD with DS who is 8 now (where do the years go) . It was difficult trying to control levels, particularly fasting ones. DS was and is completely healthy. I know there are risks but just do your best op and try not to worry.

I'm T2 now and still find my fasting levels are the hardest to control. This is quite common for diabetes so you're in good company

always thought of diabetes as something where you just have to avoid cakes and sweets etc, but GD is so different and more in depth.

Diabetes is NOT just about avoiding cakes and sweets. Carbs and sugar both raise blood glucose levels.

@catlady1234 I started insulin just over a month ago, at first it was 4 units a night & I was advised to up it by 2 units until my fasting levels were normal.

Initially I was upping it every night then it seemed to settle at 14 units for a while. Then I hit the 32 week mark & bang on my levels shot up (weeks 32-36 are hardest to manage as insulin resistance increases due to hormones).

I continued upping it & have been on 26 units a night for 2 weeks now with all my fasting readings normal. I have the odd high post meal reading, only 2 this week, but I can usually pinpoint the reason for it e.g. too many simple carbs. I have always really struggled with carbs since being diagnosed, I can't tolerate bread, potatoes or rice but can manage very small amounts of wholewheat pasta. But this is different for everyone.

@catlady1234
Also I noticed you mentioned you've been feeling poorly. Lots of people on the GDUK group report that their levels are high when unwell so please take care & be kind to yourself

@JackJack84

Not to sound too dramatic- but I feel awful. It's just a bad cold, but iv got such a sore throat I can barely swallow and my head might explode. Iv got no energy and no appetite. I'm not sure what to do with food today... I'm really not hungry 😣 iv had a few nuts with my metformin, but I don't know when to take my readings today?!

Iv also had no sleep, but I'm not tired. Disaster! 🙈 hopefully I feel better tomorrow x

@catlady1234 yes my c section was already booked due to me having already had 3 c sections previously. It was just brought forward by 2 weeks due to the GD.

Also I’ve had the results of my postpartum fasting blood test and all is normal. For now the diabetes has gone. Will have yearly tests, but thankful that I’m free of it for now.

@FreakinFrankNFurter yes, that was my point. Before getting GD I’d always just thought of diabetes as something where you simply can’t have sweets and chocolates etc. Getting GD was a real eye opener as to how tricky it actually can be to manage, and that it involves way more than just avoiding sweet treats!

Hi

I had GD when pregnant which remained after.
Impossible to control (I was on loads of insulin) except by cutting out carbs - literally no fruit no rice bread etc….
Your levels sound pretty ok so don’t stress it too much.
Blood sugar will generally be higher if you’re ill so again don’t stress it but do test as normal.
My readings were always in 20-30 range when pregnant so baby was born at 34 weeks weighing 7.5lbs… BUT I was diabetic from around week 20 - the only positive was I put on zero weight as high sugars make you thinner!
Eat healthy but don’t let this spoil your pregnancy x

@Seenoevil33

Thanks for sharing your story. It's reassuring that you had a healthy sized baby at 34 weeks.

I'm still really unwell- iv got a bad virus. Iv not been eating much as I feel soo bad. Today for lunch I had half a tin of cream of tomato soup and a slice of whole meal bread, my 1 hour reading was 13.3!! Wtf... and I'm taking metformin! What would it be if I had some chocolate cake 😵‍💫

Have you had a really restricted diet? Not able to eat anything?

I had a growth scan on sat and they said he's the correct size, that they didn't have a concern.

I'm going to the hospital on Thursday to get my insulin. Hopefully they will be able to help me. They have also booked me a number of appointments and a growth scan at 36 weeks. I'm due 21st December- so I wouldn't mind being induced early and him being around for Christmas 😊 We'l have to see. As long as he's healthy I'm willing to do whatever I need to x

Can I please ask if any of you had symptoms before you found out and what these are?

@sociallydistained
I didn't have any symptoms- nothing noticeable.

My bump is measuring the right size and my midwife said she couldn't see any glucose in my urine samples.

I was only tested as my bmi was 30 at my booking in scan, putting me in the at risk category.

I was told it was a formality... but it's actually flagged that my blood sugar levels are really high. Im glad they caught it and hopefully can be managed now

@sociallydistained I also had no symptoms at all. Wouldn’t have had any idea that anything was wrong.

I was only tested as my dad is type 2 diabetic.

My urine samples never flagged anything, literally everything in my pregnancy up until that point had been text book.

I had symptoms for a week or two before diagnosis - uncontrollable thirst and felt really rough. When it was picked up my blood sugar was 40. I had a normal bump but apart from that got super skinny.
Testing immediately after birth showed no diabetes but follow up testing after 6 weeks showed type 1 diabetic - keep an eye out for this as you can have a ‘honeymoon period’ where your pancreas will briefly start to produce insulin!
Diabetes isn’t a game of perfect - just try to keep reasonable sugar levels and avoid hypos …