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

So confused about Gestational Diabetes!

2 replies

FunkySnail · 14/12/2008 22:38

I got told I had GD two months ago and am now 27 weeks.

I had an appointment with a community Diabetes specialist team.I was told to test my blood one hour after each meal and it should not be above 7.8. They put me on one metformin with main meal after about a week and told me to check blood before meals aswell. They then took me off metformin cos blood sugars was going too low pre meals even though the diabetic nurse had said at the first appointment 'there are no lows'?!? when my husband asked what the blood sugar shouldn't drop below. On my first antenatal diabetes clinic I was told my machine must be faulty as I couldn't possibly be having the low readings so they gave me another machine and in the next month I got put on metformin again twice a day. At my second antenatal clinic I saw a different consultant and he was concerned I wasn't eating enough. I hadn't realised I'd lost a kilo, which I put down to being too scared to eat incase the blood sugars went to high. He said my body was so used to getting low blood sugars that I didn't feel any symptoms and had to snack in order to maintain a blood sugar of more than 3.5 pre meals as the baby needs sugar. Even with extra snacking my sugars were low before meals and then still between 8- 10 on most lunches and some breakfasts. I have to check in each week with the community Diabetes team and one nurse said my sugars were still too low before meals and I might have to come off the Metformin. However the next week I speak to my orignal nurse and she spoke to my orignal consultant who has now put me on another Metformin with breakfast and says don't bother testing pre meals as we know you have lows and they don't matter and don't worry about snacking!!! I'm like what?!?!? Even with the metformin at breakfast I'm getting a higher reading then I did without it! I've tried things like eating smaller amounts at regular intervals. Normally I have a sandwich, low fat yoghurt and crisps for lunch but was getting readings of about 8.6. The other day I had the same sandwich and same crisps and no yoghurt but the reading was 10.3. The nurse who told me low blood sugars don't matter said this probably happened cos I went low and then when I ate my body injected a supply of sugar so surely that means low blood sugars DO matter!! I've got my next antenatal clinic on Thursday and don't know what consultant I'm going to see to confuse me next! I'm going to speak to my midwife tomorrow as I don't feel confident when dealing with the nurses/doctors. I don't want to challenge them but I just wish I'd get some consistant approaches!! My dad is Type 1 diabetic so he also likes to give me his opinions! Sorry to vent with mammoth message! It's stressing me out and I just want what's best for baby.
Anyone else have similar experiences?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Elliegant · 15/12/2008 12:28

Hi, I had GD and I know how frightening it can be I too had mixed messages everytime I had an appointment, I lost 3 stone during my pregnancy. The good news is that my DS was born perfectly healthy and was only 6lbz 10oz. I think you are right to speak to your mid-wife, explain how confused you are. I hope things settle down for you.

FunkySnail · 19/12/2008 20:03

Thanks Elliegant.
I managed to track my midwife down and she told me that as long as I'm feeling ok the low blood sugars should not affect baby. I spoke to consultant yesterday about the conflicting information and although I'm still only half reassured I''ll go by what he's saying. He also stuck me on another metformin so on 4 a day now. Had first growth scan and baby is fine.
So greatful that this will go once baby is born and really admire those who have to cope with it all the time.

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