Due August 2022 (3rd Thread)

[Beth262]

New thread - because I'm badly procrastinating with actual work today 😆

@squatternutbosh12 @Cakecakecheese @Shelly1812 @Coalcraft @madeleine85 @SantiagoSister @Mufflette @Gem2811 @ToCaden @RP90 @mamaof2girls @beckybloomwood11 @Isonthecase @Kcat82 @Unknown6 @strawberrysummer19 @Celyn22 @theotherfossilsister @PopgoesBang @Surprised12 @miltonj @BunnieMilk @Delight12

Sorry if I've missed anyone!

Survived my glucose test this morning and have just had a call to say I have gestational diabetes. So along with the HG food is about to become even more fun!
Mind you it was quite nice this morning sat in a quiet waiting room and reading for a couple of hours without feeling guilty about it.

The over night weeing is something else isn't it! I'm fairly sure I see more over night than during the day.

A friend just sent me this link which was a good read if you have a few minutes. It talks about the medicinal benefits of cacao during pregnancy, birth and after birth. I do use cacao most weeks but after reading this I'll be upping my doses nearer my due date! The article of course is geared towards selling it, but I usually buy it at a fraction of the price so let me know if you want a link!

https://www.keithscacao.com/blogs/keiths-cacao-blog/cacao-mothers-cacao-babies-cacao-in-pregnancy-childbirth-breastfeeding-and-beyond?

@Celyn22 I was SO optimistic that was going to be about why I needed to eat more chocolate 😂

@Celyn22 that's really interesting. I like snacking on cacao nibs, but didn't know there were specific benefits related to pregnancy.

What do keytones mean in your pee sample? My midwife thought it might be because I didn't eat properly that day....but is it a sign of anything.
When do you have glucose and iron tests next too? As noticed a few of you have had them (I don't think I had them yet as I had a full blood test when I was in hospital)

@Unknown6 I've previously had ketones and it was due to overdoing it a bit basically. It resolved itself eventually, was just a massive faff and stressful as mine were spotted after I collapsed at something like 27 weeks 🙄 no harm done, no further issues, just had to take more iron for the rest of the pregnancy.

Is anyone else really slowing down now? I'm only 24 weeks but went for a run and had to walk most of it because my bump hurt so much. Felt like rubbish yesterday too, just dragging myself around with zero energy.

@PopGoesBang Sorry to hear about your GD diagnosis but welcome to the club. I was diagnosed at 18 weeks so I feel your pain. I just wanted to let you know (if you have FB and aren't aware of it already) about the Gestational Diabetes UK group (they have a website as well). It is really helpful and has great ideas for meals and alternatives but also just to connect with other people going through the same thing. Good luck with it all and hope you have a good diabetes team where you are.

I have a couple of pregnancy apps which have vouchers for a mum-to-be pack which you can collect from Boots or Tesco. Has anyone got these as well? I'm just wondering where exactly at Boots/Tesco you collect them from? 😊

@KCat82 funny you should mention them, I just joined this morning! Hoping to see a few helpful posts on bits on bobs. Trying to work out my safe foods (hyperemesis garvidarum) and how they fit into a GD diet. Picked up my monitor and test kit today so all ready to start testing tomorrow and see how it all goes. How are you finding it all?

@Unknown6 I have the glucose tolerance test booked in for 26 weeks because there is a family history of diabetes. I think you only get booked in for this of you have key factors. Otherwise I think it is just monitored via normal bloods etc - I believe my next bloods are at 28 weeks.
If you're worried about anything give your midwife a call.

@PopGoesBang , to be honest I read something on here and it just made me wonder, I have an appointment next week so will go armed with all the important information.

@Isonthecase , does taking naps at 6pm count?

I just bought a pregnancy band, it helps with the bumps weight.

@Unknown6 it's funny how some areas do things so differently. But being prepared is always good!

@PopGoesBang @KCat82 Hey both, I had my 24 week check up yesterday which resulted in being sent for a scan that evening as my bump was measuring too big (it’s enormous).

The scan showed a huge baby (biggest measurement was 27w4d and I’m 24w3d 😳) and excess fluid (polyhydramnios) so my glucose test has been brought forward to Friday and I think I’ll be joining the GD club.

Have been transferred to a consultant. Not really sure how I feel about it all to be honest. The pregnancy felt like it was flying by and now I feel like I’ve potentially lost a few more weeks too.

How are you both and are there any second/third/fourth time mums who have had it before? How is it?!

@PopGoesBang I got the Bounty and Emma's Diary packs. Just go to the till and show them the codes from your apps. The Emma's Diary one had nappies but they are best to get from Argos as apparently the Boots ones don't always have nappies.

@Unknown6 not everyone needs the glucose test. My midwife ummed and ahhed about it for me as I only sort of fit the criteria (my mum occasionally has diabetes, long story 😂, I have one polycystic ovary but I'm not overweight) as she didn't want to send me for the test if I'm not quite at risk but decided it was better safe than sorry.

@PopGoesBang sorry to hear about the GD, but glad that they caught it, so hopefully you avoid a large baby.

@Isonthecase I am 23 weeks, and in the last 2 have really slowed down. I am hiking on a treadmill rather than running. Tried running and my bump was quite uncomfortable. My sciatica also flares up whenever I really do hard exercise now, so I guess i'll just have to get comfortable being a treadmill walker :)

My toddler has picked up what we think is the flu, so now we all have a horrendous cough, and she has a fever and is being sick (all still covid negative somehow, though not really believing it). Coughing while pregnant really is something else though... every time I go into a coughing fit I have to actively cross my legs and try to engage my pelvic floor/not pee myself. I feel like the bump has maybe gone down a little too, guessing as I am activating my abs/stomach muscles with all the coughing. We were meant to be going away this weekend with friends, but we are 99% sure we have to cancel now, which honestly is a bit of a relief, as i'm not really sure I kind of just want to hermit and relax! Hope you are all doing well. Just hoping that this one goes away fast, though she has been on/off sick for 2 weeks now. I really can't imagine doing this with 2 kids, so should be thanking my lucky stars we just have one right now! Serious credit to all mums with multiple little ones to care for when not feeling wel!

@netflixandnochill I genuinely thought I'd be ok this time, I was with dd - but that was 9 years ago.
I've gone through phases today of being ok with it all and then times when it all just feels too much. But quite possibly it is just one of those days and if it wasn't the GD it would have been something else!
The testing etc. seems pretty straight forward. And from the fb group @KCat82 mentioned I can see lots have different stages on their journey so I'm kinda setting myself for more of the unknown now. I also have a feeling I'll end up with a c-section, which is fine. I'd have opted for a hospital birth anyways and not interested in a water one (again wasn't with dd not sure why, they just don't appeal to me)

I was booked in for growth scans anyways so we'll see what this baby is thinking on size! Figure I may not need the few tiny baby bits I found from dd 🤣

Hope you get a swift result on Friday. My second bloods were taken at 10.22 yesterday and I had the call at 16.00 yesterday so I can't fault them.

@madeleine85 sorry to hear you are all so poorly. Hopefully this gets most the nastys out the way before baby is here and you get a good break from it all then.

@Isonthecase my running days have been over for a while (!) but starting to find walking the dog a struggle if I try to go more than 2 or 3 miles. Might have to look into those bands. @Unknown6 let me know how you find the one you just bought.

@madeleine85 hope you all feel better soon. Sick toddlers are hard enough when you're feeling 100% yourself anyway!

@netflixandnochill they sound like they're really on top of your care - bringing your test forward and getting you in for that scan the same day as the midwife apt - so fingers crossed it'll be fairly smooth sailing for you because of this care, even if it is GD.

@Beth262 , I like the belt I just bought, I feel it brings the baby off my bladder a bit more.

@madeleine85 I'm sorry yo hear you are unwell, I have a perm cough from allergies and trying not to pee yourself at 26 weeks feels impossible! I hope you feel better soon!

@netflixandnochill , I have been to a consultant before, they are really nice and great at giving advice x

@PopGoesBang I just had to look up what HG was. I had heard of it on this group but didn't know anything about it. Of course I realise how how difficult a GD diet will be for you. Hopefully the FB group will have some helpful tips like it seems to in general. I'm finding it a struggle at times, but I can't really complain if it's temporary and best for baby. I'm on meds and insulin now which is a pain along with the constant testing, but as ever it could be worse!

@netflixandnochill hope you get some answers soon. Ours was measuring 95th percentile at the 20 week scan so also waiting for further growth scans to check and hopefully being on meds now will bring baby down to a more "normal" size. Keep us posted.

@Cakecakecheese thank you 😊

@KCat82 Like you say if it's best for baby and temporary then it is all worth it.
I think finding it a struggle is allowed, growing a tiny human is hard enough when your body doesn't throw curve balls. It's a lot to get your head around and information to take in.
The fb group seems really helpful and positive - which is nice! I keep looking over posts on there.
Did you find the meds and insulin gave you any side affects?

@PopGoesBang oh so true. I love it on the GD site when people post after the birth and just say how worth it it all is....and how much they're enjoying normal food again.
I found the Metformin gave me a dodgy tummy for the first week but calmed down before too long. The insulin seems to be fine and not as scary as it sounded.

Have you started testing yet?

@KCat82 Yeah those posts are really nice, that reminder it really is worth it. Which deep down we know, but can easily be lost in the haze of everything.
Glad the meds have been ok - within reason.
Tomorrow is the first day for testing. Figured I'd might as well start with the fasting test first thing. Have set up the app and machine tonight so it's all ready to go. All seems straight forward and nice it uploads to the care team so I don't have to worry about manually keeping records. Altho wondering f if a good diary would be helpful so I can see what might not be helping. Did you keep a log of anything other than the results?

Thanks all, will update you when I know. Good luck with your first day of testing @PopGoesBang x