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Original poster

Anyone want to join in a support thread for those with gestational diabetes?

573 replies

CantSleepWontSleep · 12/05/2008 15:06

Since it seems to be reasonably common, I thought maybe we could have an ongoing thread where we could discuss issues relating to it, and maybe share ideas of meals that work for us to keep blood sugars down.

I was just over the threshold on my GTT nearly 3 weeks ago, and have been monitoring my bloods 4 times a day since last Thursday. Had my first visit to joint diabetic/obstetric clinic this morning, which I found thoroughly impersonal and demoralising, so am feeling a bit low about it at the moment.

I am nearly 20 weeks, so still have a long way to go. Am hoping to control it just through diet, but consultant gave me a prescription for insulin 'just in case I need it'!

Am having the most problem with my after breakfast reading. Have been told to keep it below 7 one hour after eating, but even with the cereals they have recommended, I am getting around 8-9. Dietician has recommended trying baked beans on toast for breakfast instead. Is anyone else struggling with this one, as they said it is a common one to find raised due to steroids produced by the body in the mornings?

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Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 29/05/2008 18:24

Lilolilly - have your hospital said why you need to be induced, if your control is ok with the insulin and the baby is not too big?

disneystar - have you rung the clinic now?

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Lilolilly · 29/05/2008 23:49

Evening CSWS - My gd is classed as out of control as since I have been on insulin my readings have been between 8 & 11 one hour after eating. My insulin was started at 16 units a day and is now up to 80 a day (BS levels still high 9's) so both consultant & midwife said they plan to deliver by 38 weeks.
Excited & scared at the same time as this gives me 13 days, My first daughter was born at 38 weeks & 1 day (no gd that time she was just early) and I was only in labour 4 & 1/2 hours so hoping for another quick labour this time

Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 30/05/2008 07:43

Ooh that is quick!

I have meeting with obs consultant today. Not really sure what to ask. Seems a bit early to talk about the birth yet.

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johnworf · 30/05/2008 08:35

Hi Ladies,

Quick update on me:

Hols cut short...day 3 baby decided to show her face. 6 hour labour, breech delivery. weight 1 lb 8oz. Katherine.

Placental abbruption - loss of 3 pints. No stitches. Gas & air.

Baby transferred y'day by helicopter from Truro to manchester and we're both doing fine!

Will update you all on her progress when I've seen her today.

Speak soon ladies and hope you are all well xxxxx

Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 30/05/2008 09:02

Oh blimey jw. What a shock.

Hope that you really are both doing ok, and that there are no serious complications from such an early birth.

And congratulations .

(Had a piece of cake or a biscuit yet ?)

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mrsboogie · 30/05/2008 10:38

oh my god johnworf! Congratulations!

pepperrabbit · 30/05/2008 19:40

jw ! Am i right in thinking she wasn't due till Sept!!!!
Congratulations on Katherine's safe if unexpected arrival - thinking of you all.
Have a biscuit on us!

andyrobo237 · 30/05/2008 19:51

Wow Johnwolf - congrats to you and your family -hope all is well with your little buba.

johnworf · 31/05/2008 10:52

Hi ladies,

Thank you all for your congratulations. Katherine is stable and doing well. My milk is here today and boobs are HUGE! I'm expressing for her so hopefully we'll see her gain the weight she needs very soon.

She's settled into the neonatal unit in Manchester and doctors are pleased so far - but we have a long way to go.

Midwife came today and is happy with my progress so hopefully we'll keep on going at this rate.

Yes, you were correct that I wasn't due until mid september so she's a real early surprise!

Oh and joy upon joy...midwife says I must have full fat, high carb foods for my milk production Yippee!!!! No insulin and allowed to run amok with food goodies. I'm thinking of you all ladies - honest!!!

I'll keep popping back as and when I can between hospital visits to make sure you're all behaving yourselves!!!!

JW xxxx

Lilolilly · 31/05/2008 19:10

Wow & Congratulations on Katherine's arrival JW

johnworf · 01/06/2008 18:28

Thanks lilolilly. Just to let you ladies know, Katherine is still stable and doing ok today Keeping fingers and toes crossed that it'll continue.

Also had at least 4 large pieces of Toblerone today to keep my spirits up....thought of all you lovely ladies as it went down nicely

Sorry, yes I am cruel................!!!!!!!

Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 01/06/2008 19:31

So you won't be interested in my latest low carb bread recommendation then jw?!

You eat all the toblerone you want. Two people commented on Friday that I looked like I'd lost weight, and that'll do nicely for me .

Never thought that I would be so excited and looking forward to a bowl of porridge with banana and fresh cream though. That's my supper treat for tonight. Had a small tea especially!

Are you able to cuddle Katherine jw, or is she in an incubator 24/7?

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johnworf · 01/06/2008 19:53

CSWS not able to hold her yet ....she has too many lines/wires etc in her but I have touched her

As for your low carb bread...well I think I'll skip it! Midwife instructed me (yes she really did) to eat high carb and full fat drinks and food for milk production. It's luvverly Hence Toblerone. Although don't want to undo all the good low GI diet work I did over the months as I've found (now that I'm back in civvy clothing) I've dropped a dress size. Prolly dropped 2 dress sizes but boobs are huge and have to accomodate them!

Did some retail therapy today to cheer myself up. Bloody marvellous

Oh btw, not had another GTT yet but I'm having one at my postnatal at 6 weeks so we'll see how I get on with it then.

Ironically Katherine is on an insulin drip but nothing to do with me....it's totally the opposite in fact...it's cos her pancreas is so immature.

Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 01/06/2008 20:16

Oh the irony of an insulin drip!

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Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 03/06/2008 19:16

We can tell who did all the talking on here. It's very quiet since someone had her baby!

Anyone heard from otter yet?

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disneystar · 04/06/2008 09:59

havnt heard from otter in ages now

wow JW well done you and hello baby katherine im stunned sat here i just logged on and thought i was seeing things
how many weeks were you?
are going to post us a pic on here of here
its strange being on mumsnet as we all feel we know one another in a way we share so much
great big hug for you hun xx

CSWS i agree not saying JW has a big mouth or nothing

sorry if i have missed something im going to go back and read missed posts

disneystar · 04/06/2008 10:05

lilo you havnt got long then till you hold your baby
they are talking about 7th and 14th july for me for my c-section find out which one they have decided on the 16th june
they have upped my insulin again its very unstable readings 11 and 12 before bed
i am huge now be interesting to see how big baby is on next scan
i can hardly walk its so painful puttin one foot in front of the other
tried that vogel didnt like it very much
prefer burgen with marmite and melted cheese.........mmmmmm

disneystar · 04/06/2008 10:07

JW just saw your profile ahhh shes so small and perfect thanks for sharing it with us x

Lilolilly · 04/06/2008 10:56

Saw my consultant yesterday and I am booked in for induction on the 12th, only 8 days to go so think i'd better get my bags packed.

Bigs hugs for Katherine & JW thinking of you both.

My blood sugars have gone loopy now with average readings of 11 so on a total of 96 units of insulin, still not complaining as all being well will be back to normal by end of next week.

Whilst I do not look huge I feel sooo big and clumsy I waddle everywhere and DH is making me feel so much better with my new nickname Quackers the duck

disneystar · 04/06/2008 10:58

good luck lilo not long till you get your cuddle now then

disneystar · 05/06/2008 07:33

well how is everyone if anyone is here today then?

Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 05/06/2008 12:25

Ooh very close Lilolilly - good luck!

Morning disneystar. Couple of high readings for me yest and today, but ate the wrong things (bread and soup yest, and cheese & ham on toast for breakfast today), so must try harder!

How are you?

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Thankyouandgoodnight · 05/06/2008 20:59

My MW has called to say that my blood gluscose is higher than it should be (6.3 or maybe 6.9 I think and they act if >6.2). There's a chance that I had just had lunch within 20 mins of the blood test and I've certainly been drinking loads of fruit juice, so she's agreed to repeat the blood test next week and then if that's high again, I'll do the full GTT. I did have a GTT at 28 weeks (again I had eaten + can of coke just before blood test - when will I learn) and that came back normal.

Help - what should I have for breakfast that day and what should I be eating generally between now and forever??

Was desperately hoping for a home birth

Original poster
CantSleepWontSleep · 05/06/2008 21:42

TYAGN - how many weeks are you now? Are you saying that you had a GTT already, but you drank a can of coke just beforehand? You have to fast for 12 hours before a GTT - nothing allowed except water!

I've never known a mw do a random blood test to check for glucose levels. You really do need to know if you have GD, so I would eat whatever you normally do for breakfast that morning, and try to have it one before before the blood test, but definitely no more than 2 hours before.

If you do have GD then you will need to cut out everything remotely sugary, limit carbs to small portions of high fibre stuff (wholewheat pasta, brown rice etc), and eat little and often. We will advise in more detail if you turn out to have it, but I really wouldn't panic until you know for sure.

OP posts:
Thankyouandgoodnight · 05/06/2008 22:00

No I haven't been diagnosed with GD - yet. They got me doing a GTT at 28 weeks (or whenever it was) because a random blood picked up higher than normal levels of glucose. It just so happened that I had eaten lunch and had a can of coke half and hour before that blood was taken, which is why it could have been high. I had the GTT and fasted etc and did it all properly and my levels were normal.

I had another routine blood test on tuesday at my antenatal but again (stupid me), I had had a sugary drink and lunch just before getting there. We are wondering if it is that that has pushed my levels up and that actually they are fine.

Btw - if I DO have GD - has the damage already been done or will a good diet from now (34 weeks) to the birth and normal glucose levels mean that no extra precautions need to be taken in terms of labour, birth and post partum care of baby?