Hard to control gestational diabetes and terrified!

[dreamerkr]

Hey guys, I’m currently 32+1 and at 27 weeks I was told I have GD. I’ve been trying to manage it by diet and at the start it was okay, but now I’m struggling even though I’m more or less eating the same foods as I did back then. Baby boy’s measuring over the 95th centile and I don’t have another growth scan until after a month. I contacted my diabetes midwife and sent her my readings, which are getting higher now as I have a high reading almost everyday now. However, she told me I don’t need medication yet and I’m so scared. I’m trying my best to eat healthily and to reduce carbs, I’ve cut out all sugar from my diet, but still I keep getting high readings. I’m so terrified of the effect this may have on baby, I feel so guilty, and I honestly don’t know what to do as I’m not even on any medication. This evening I had a lamb curry, small piece of chapatti and salad for dinner and my reading was 8.5! I feel so upset and don’t know what to do. The diabetic midwife said to send her my readings again on Monday but I’m just so scared. Will these high readings have a really bad effect on baby? What can I do in the meantime until the midwife sees my readings for this week? Any advice guys? I’m attaching my readings, although I haven’t written today’s on there yet. Today’s was 8.5, the highest it’s ever been I think. 🥺

I’ve read stuff about increased chance of premature labour or stillbirth with GD and I’m so so scared. Honestly, I want baby to be born earlier (37-38 weeks), I’m stressing so much because of this GD and I don’t know what to do 😭

Bump?

It’s been a while since I had GD but those readings don’t look too bad from what I can recall, there’s a few a little high but none way over?

I did manage to diet control but was really strict about carbs. Basically just ate protein, fat and veg. Going for a walk after the meal is also supposed to help though I never managed it.

Don’t wish for an early baby… they need the full cooking time if possible.

Join the GD Facebook group. They were amazing when I was pregnant and my son was born a normal size. I had a c section at exactly 37 weeks.

I don't think they are awful readings but they are a bit high. Mine were 11 - 15! I got put on insulin and it solved the issue really quickly.

Gestational diabetes UK Facebook group is really helpful for advice.

I think the risks are i) baby is huge and birth is harder and ii) baby can't regulate own blood sugar at birth. Both of these can be mitigated by getting it under control - at 32 weeks you've got plenty of time to sort it out.

Try going for a walk straight after your meals. Even 15 minutes will help

Thank you so much guys! I do usually go for a 15 min walk after my meals (not so much after breakfast though tbh), I didn’t last night though as I was so tired. It probably wouldn’t have been 8.5 if I had walked even a little bit. You guys are so reassuring 🥺

I have an appointment on the 22nd with the diabetic midwife so I’ll see what she says then but baby’s already measuring quite big (he was 4.2lb at 31 weeks on the dot) so he’s probably over 5lb now? And I’m only 32 weeks!

GD gets progressively harder to control as the pregnancy progresses, and your placenta inhibits your insulin production, so please don't beat yourself up if your sugars continue to rise.

They're not at a level that's at all dangerous, but it's good that you've sent them through. I did end up on metformin and then insulin towards the end and was so cruel to myself about it, despite it not being my fault at all.

A walk after a meal definitely helps, and the golden rule is to never eat a naked carb, so always combine carb with fat and protein. I couldn't control my fasting sugar, which is why I ended up on insulin. What helped was a sugar free milkshake very late at night. It was recommended that you eat biscuits late at night, but I couldn't tolerate that.

Also, some people process things differently, I tolerated fresh pasta very well, but couldn't have bread or potato. I also couldn't do any fruit whatsoever.

I had GD with a twin pregnancy. The fasting readings were the hardest to control for me... because I was sleeping!! Nairn cheese oatcakes with a babybel before bed helped. But it wasn't perfect.

Eventually metformin and insulin.

I ended up going into hospital at 33 weeks (other non GD complications) put on a sliding scale and had steroids given to me over 48 hours.

Delivered the twins at 34 weeks. 5lb 2oz each, their sugars were perfect and mine returned to normal immediately.

I believed my pregnancy would end in tragedy too... but it didn't. I believe gallons of water, peanut butter and cheese helped!!

Wishing you well xxx

Those aren’t that high overall especially your fasting levels.
I ended up on metformin as it’s really hard to control. Your body can’t produce enough insulin for the both of you but it’s not your fault.
sometimes it’s more about how the carbs breakdown. Eg i could eat 2 weetabix and my sugars would be high but 1.5 and they would be fine.
it’s a hard balancing act but my son was born at 38 weeks and 6lb 6oz

have you had a meeting with a dietitian yet? They gave some really good advice

I can't offer any advice but just wanted to say I'm struggling too! Only diagnosed this week and while all my post-meal levels are perfect, I can't seem to get my fasting level down. GD seems like a minefield of trial and error, I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. What I read online is that they only move onto medications if your readings are less than 85% within range. I'm sure they'll keep a close eye on you.

Thanks so much guys!

I never eat carbs on their own, I always pair them with protein and fat but still my readings are sometimes high. I do usually go on a walk, especially after lunch and dinner and that does help but sometimes I’m just so tired these days 😣

I’m the same! I can’t tolerate potato or rice, I can only eat one medium slice of brown bread, but I’m fine with even a whole plate of wholewheat pasta.

Thank you so much! Glad to hear your sugar levels returned to normal straight away and that your twins were fine. ❤️

I’m trying to drink as much water as I can, although probably still not enough.

They are not horrendous readings. If your fasting levels start being consistently high they will probably start you on metformin overnight but they are pretty good to be honest.

I'm 32+3 and haven't had a reading lower than 10 yet. Highest has been 20.1. I'm in metformin and insulin and they are improving but still higher than yours. Try and avoid the medications and stay Diet Controlled if you can. They make me feel crap!

Baby is off the growth chart scale ans weighing 5lb 9!