Sorry, another gestational diabetes thread...

[Sarahjct]

Hi everyone.

OK, it's a bit of a long story and not very clear so please bear with me. I'm currently 37+4 weeks pg. Earlier in my pg I had instances of glucose in my urine and they sent me for a GTT at 28 weeks which was arranged at booking in because my father is Type 2 diabetic (and doubtless because of my size (20/22) although that was never mentioned).

The GTT was fine, I was well under the levels and had no more glucose in wee until last week. MW said she'd book me for a growth scan as I was measuring 3 weeks bigger and I have the scan on the 27th. She also said she'd send me to the diabetic clinic for a chat.

Had the 'chat' today and I've been given a monitor. They took a urine sample again which was clear but my first attempt at monitoring glucose, after lunch came back 7.2. I was told it should be below 7.0 and if it wasn't, to ring them. I did go straight to bed for a couple of hours after lunch and then measured when I got up and I know from my dad that activity helps to reduce your levels so I'm not sure if sleeping was wise, not that I'm trying to make excuses...

But they said when I left that there was no one around till Thursday so to wait till then to ring. So what started as being fairly casual seems to have escalated into high drama in my stressed head. So my questions are;

Does this mean I have diabetes?
What will they do at my stage as I'll be 38 weeks on Thursday when I can next speak to them. Will they induce me and, if so, how? (c-section etc?)

Just because of the timing of it all, over Christmas, I feel like I'm not sure what i should be doing and how seriously I should be taking it. I'm also worried about ending up with permanent diabetes which all my web research seems to point to. I really hate the internet sometimes!

If anyone can shed any light I'd be really grateful as I'm worried but don't want to worry anyone else over Christmas but I feel so miserable everyone is bound to ask what's up.

A one off reading of 7.2 does not mean you have gest diabetes - what you ate for lunch can make a big difference and like you say you hadn't burnt off the sugar from your meal as you went to bed.

If they decide you have gestational diabetes from any further readings AND if baby is measuring large for dates on the scan then they may induce you but it really depends on how high any BM readings are and how over dates baby is measuring. They should always offer a prostin induction ratehr than a section.

If you get gestational dabetes then you are at more risk of developing diabetes in years to come. Your family history and BMI also put you in a higher risk catagory. I'm sure you already know but losing weight will lower your risk a lot.

Hope that helps and enjoy your Christmas.

Thanks Stripey. Just got a better reading of 5.7 so I feel slightly better. I have great plans for weight loss when this LO arrives - there's nothing like pregnancy for making you realise how much you should have sorted yourself out before you started

I always get myself into these situations when there's no one around to ask. Thanks

How soon after your meal did you do the test? DH is a Dr looking after women with gestational diabetes and says to test 2 hours after a meal (but am not sure which test he is referring to and he is not here for me to ask him - sorry.)

GD doesn't automatically lead to diabetes after birth, but being overweight and a family history may predispose you to it.

Just eat healthily till Thurs: no chocs or sweets, do not overeat and try to stay away from fruit juice, which contains fruit sugar.

PS: Good luck with the weight loss. I was a size 16 and was size 12 before getting pg - so i know how hard losing weight can be. It's worth it though!!

Right, back again!

Just been for scan and she said LO does have a bit of a big tummy. She said to mention it to MW but she didn't seem overly concerned.

Blood sugar levels have been weird. Christmas Day I got a 7.8 2 hours after lunch but since then all measurements have been well under the recommended levels.

So still not really clear if this is GD or what and if there's cause for concern or not. MW is supposed to be arranging to see me over next day or so, so I guess I'll see what she says.

It's all so confusing...

I think this is probably a wake up call and early warning indicator and is fairly unlikely to impact on the pregnancy and delivery at this stage.

If you have diabetes in your family, are overweight, have abnormal blood sugar levels in pregnancy - all these indicate that diabetes may develop later in life. But losing weight, following a low GI diet and exercising regularly will reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes significantly.

Try to follow GI eating for the rest of the pregnancy.

If it was me, I would ask to see the Diabetologist specialising in neonatal care (a Dr rather than a midwife), cos you have questions that a midwife may not be able to answer to your satisfaction. A midwife is good at baby care, but not necessarily diabetes.

She may refer you anyway due to LO's big tummy to get a second opinion.

Please don't worry too much about this. It's only natural to be concerned but to the medical staff its everyday stuff.