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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

worried about Gestational Diabetes results, what do they mean?

33 replies

nobodysfool · 06/11/2008 08:39

I had a gestational diabetes test yesterday morning.
I was booked in for it as dc1 was 8lb 14oz and protein,glucose,and ketones has been found in my urine on lots of occasions.
I have just had a phone call this morning telling me there were problems with my results and that i need to see the diabetes specialist and that they will phone today to book me in.
When i asked what they had found i was told that the problem was with my fasting blood result and that my blood test after the glucose drink seemed fine.
Does anybody know what this means.
I can't lie i'm very worried and it just seems to be one problem after another with this pregnancy (low lying placenta,hemmorages (sp?),anemia) and i'm feeling pretty low at the moment.
I hate not knowing what the problem is.
TIA for any advice.

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nobodysfool · 06/11/2008 09:00

Sorry forgot to say im 29 weeks pg.

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balismum · 06/11/2008 09:03

no advice really just good wishes and positive vibes.

nobodysfool · 06/11/2008 09:05

Thanks balismum.

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HeathersMummy · 06/11/2008 09:36

Hi nobodysfool - my GTT results were exactly the same. No probs with the test after the drink, but slightly raised levels after the overnight fast. My hospital will allow your level to be up to 5.5 - mine was 5.6 so I'm going to the diabetic clinic on Monday morning. I know how you feel, I've had a string of complications with this pregnancy (although I feel fine) and it's the last thing I needed.
Not sure when you'll be going to the clinic, but I can keep you posted what happens when I go on Monday.
In the meantime, if anyone can offer any advice....

nobodysfool · 06/11/2008 09:49

Thanks Heathersmummy-
Did they give you any idications what the next step is or do you just have to wait till monday?
It's so worrying when you don't have all the details isn't it?
Could you let me know how you get on Monday and i'm sending you all the luck in the world

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CantSleepWontSleep · 06/11/2008 10:00

If they are not sure from the results whether you have GD or not, then you will probably be shown how to monitor your blood glucose at home (finger prick test 4 x per day), and you will see the consultant a few days later who will look at these results to determine what further action, if any, is needed.

HeathersMummy · 06/11/2008 10:08

No probs nobodysfool. They've not told me what to expect on Monday at the clinic, so I'll keep you posted.
Hi CSWS, thanks for this. I think I could cope with finger prick tests, it's the complications it can all lead to that worries me most. Just need to wait til Monday I guess.

CantSleepWontSleep · 06/11/2008 10:15

If you do get diagnosed with it then do a search for my name in the pregnancy topic and you'll find a GD support thread that I started when I was diagnosed at 17 weeks with ds. It has lots of useful info re diet etc on it.

nobodysfool · 06/11/2008 20:47

Oh sod it.
The hospital just phoned and booked me an appt for Mon morning to see the diabetes specialist.
My fasting results were too high but the glucose one was ok.
Have been told i will need to check my blood four times a day and hopefully it can be controlled by diet.

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dinny · 06/11/2008 20:53

NF - sorry to hear you're having a hard time - I'm sure she'll post, but HM controlled hers through diet when pg second time...

Can I just jump in and ask - is GD a risk if you eat badly in pg? (just I still haven't got my eating back on track after bad ms, lots of sugary high-fat crap being consumed by moi)

nobodysfool · 06/11/2008 21:27

I'm not really sure about a good or bad diet affecting the chances of developing it.
I'm no stick insect but i'm not terribly overweight and i don't have a sweet tooth and don't often eat processed food.But i do eat lots of fruit-there was me thinking it was good for me!

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CantSleepWontSleep · 06/11/2008 21:32

Eating badly during pregnancy shouldn't give you gd dinny, but if you have it then it will make the effects of it worse.

nobodysfool · 06/11/2008 21:41

CSWS-will i be banned from eating fruit?I'm dreading being told that i will or that i have to eat more meat-i'm not a veggie but don't really enjoy much meat.

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CantSleepWontSleep · 07/11/2008 13:51

No, you won't be banned from eating it, but you probably will have to watch how much of it you have, and choose those with a lower GI.

HeathersMummy · 10/11/2008 15:29

Hi nobodysfool, thought I would just pop in to give you an update on how I got on this morning.
I've to take bloods 4 times a day (before meals and at bedtime) and record in a diary. I've to go back to the hospital next Monday and they will decide on best course of action from there. Spoke to dietician today who said that my diet was pretty good and if I can do a few minor alterations it should hopefully bring my blood sugar down to normal levels. She did suggest that as my diet was pretty good to begin with, it might be difficult to reduce the blood sugar levels though. I've been banned totally from eating any kind of cakes, choccy biscuits and chocolate - not that I ate much of that to begin with, but it's not great when someone tells you can't eat it!
How did you get on?

nobodysfool · 10/11/2008 20:15

Hello Heathersmummy-
I had my appt this morning and i have been told the exact same thing as you!
Good diet to start with, will probably have problems bringing my first reading down as it's the fasting one that seems a worry.
My result was 6.0 at the fasting gtt and the cut off here is 5.9!Bugger...so close to not being a problem.
I have got to go back next thursday and have a chat with the dietician and see my new consultant.
Did they scan you again?They did me and all the measurements were fine.Thank goodenss.Did make me laugh as he is aleady 3lb and 12oz!Looks like i'm having another whopper.
How have your reading been today?

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andyrobo237 · 10/11/2008 20:44

Hi ladies, as a diabetic and one who had GD twice with both pregnancies, can I offer some advice on what to eat - take or leave it!!

There is a good website called diabetes.co.uk that has a forum seciton like this where people post threads and get answers, so you may get some useful advice there as well from other pregnant ladies.

I had insulin with my last pregnancy, and with all the finger prick testing, I found that I had to reduce my carb intake (which is contrary to what the health care people say... but when are they always right??!!). My diet consisted of cereal like shreddies or porridge and toast for breakfast, sandwich and fruit and yoghurt for lunch, and then typically spag bol, or jacket potato and beans, shepherds pie for tea.

Now if you look at these meals in context of so called 'healthy eating' then they are fine, but if you look at them in terms of carbohydrate, then I would reckon that I was eating about 60% carbs a day. After doing a lot of research on line (not always the best idea), I looked at each meal and tried to reduce the carbs - porridge for breakfast was ok, but the toast was too much, lunch I went to soup and salads, with maybe half the bread I would of had, and then reduced the pasta or potato portion of my tea, and bumped up the vegetables.

I only cottoned on to this quite late on, but I managed to reduce the amount of insulin I needed prior to each meal, so keeping my blood glucose levels more stable throughout the day, rather than big spikes after each meal.

Both of my babies were big = DD 10 14 (full term) and DS 8 8 (at 38 weeks). I unfortunately did not get rid of the diabetes, and am now classed as Type 2 (but only just!) so a new way of life for the long term.

It is not as bad as it could be, and it does mean that you get more appointments than usual, so that is reasuring, but if you have any questions - just ask me and I wll try to answer them if I can!

HeathersMummy · 10/11/2008 21:34

Thanks for the info andy, will check out the website.
Nobodysfool - I've to get a growth scan and will speak to consultant again on Monday next week. Thankfully, I'll stay under the care of the same consultant as I already have. I'm 32+ weeks just now and had a scan at 30 weeks already - junior was already 4lb 1oz by their reckoning! I'm now getting quite worried about having a huge baby - I struggled to deliver DD who was 8lb 13oz (forceps birth). Apparently the consultant will advise next week on what sort of birth I can expect this time round - I'm hoping they'll take me in early so I can have the baby before Christmas

nobodysfool · 10/11/2008 21:48

Thanks andyrobo-I'm struggling to work out what size is one portion i have been told i can have rich tea/digestive biscuits and have guessed that 2 is about right?
Also, is there a weight recommended for pasta/rice?
Oh and also why is it i need to wee every half an hour through the night and only go every few hours during the day?

Heathersmummy-Sounds like you grow whoppers as well.We have very similar experiences of childbirth from what i understand!And we are doing it again?!We must be mad!!!!!!
DS2 will be born by planned section as i have a low lying placenta as well-it never rains it poors eh?
Thankfully ds2 seems very happy where he is at the momont so i'm in no rush to get him out.
Baby for christmas...i'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
P.S what have you been told you can have as your snacks?

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HeathersMummy · 11/11/2008 09:42

Hi nobodysfool, I've been told I can have rich tea/digestive biccies, a cereal bar or fruit (but not grapes or berries). I've to make sure that nothing I eat has more than 10grams of sugar per serving also.
Why is it that all of a sudden I'm starving, even though I'm eating no less . Glad I've only got a few weeks of this.

nobodysfool · 11/11/2008 13:24

Tell me about it i sat here with the right hump last night as i wanted to eat something else but wasn't allowed.
How are your readings going?
My first reading this morning was 5.0 then I had 2 weetabix with semi skimmed milk and a cup of tea, the next reading was 10.6!!!WTF!?!?
Trying porridge oats tom for breckie.

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HeathersMummy · 11/11/2008 16:38

I've to do my readings before meals this week - that might change next week, who knows! My first reading this morning was 7.7!!! AArrrghh! Seemed to calm down a bit though and was 6.8 before lunch. I'm a bit worried though as I'm sure they've meant to be much lower before meals. Being really strict with my food and keeping a diary of what I'm eating so I can prove I've been trying hard - even if the bloods don't say so.
Was going to have porridge for breckie today, then realised I only like it if I make it with sugar, best not then

nobodysfool · 11/11/2008 18:10

I must admit im not biggest fan of porridge but i will anthinhg-well, almost, to get my morning reading down.
Had a great tea tonight griddled chicken breast, roasted red pepper stuffed with wholmeal basmati rice with lemon juice and corriander and a salad made from lettuce,tom cucumber,red onion,advocardo,and mushroom.Fell full up but lets see what reading i get.I'm allowed all those things so i will be really cheesed off if its too high.
Oh and have you tried splenda the sugar substitute maybe you could put that on porridge?

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andyrobo237 · 11/11/2008 20:15

You should be looking at your pre-meal readings of between 4 and 6, and 2 hours after meals as between 5 and 7 (ish) - all hospitals have their own limits!

I am not surprised that weetabix and milk is high - if you look at the carbs content of weetabix it is about 32g of carbs (2 weetabix and milk), whereas porridge is around 20gg.

Watch those cereal bars as well as some are loaded with sugar.

nobodysfool · 11/11/2008 20:28

Thanks andyrobo-
It's all so confusing.
My hosp is making me test when i wake up and 1 hour after meals and i should be between 4.0 and 7.8.
I was told that weetabix was fine.
Should i make the porridge with milk or water or a mixture of both?

Oh and my evening meal only gave me a reading of 5.5 and i still feel full up!

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