Large baby and symptoms of very late gestational diabetes...wanted to share experience to help others

[Tyniclogs]

I wanted to share my experience on this subject in order to help anyone experiencing the same symptoms I had/have. I've just found out the answers to my questions at 36 weeks pregnant with my second and last child so it may help someone else in future.

My first pregnancy went well up until the final trimester when I started to feel 'ill' couldn't put my finger on what it was but had urine infections and a general feeling of things not being right. I was constantly exhausted and found it really difficult to move in the final weeks. My midwife and Consultant were not concerned and as my GTT tests had both come back ok and my last scan was fine there was nothing more said. I did however always have consistantly high sugar levels in my urine.

I ended up being induced at 42 weeks and delivered an 11lb 10oz (5.5kg) baby) unfortunately it wasn't straight forward ending in an emergency C-section. As I had a urine infection at the time of the birth I passed the infection to my baby and we both ended up in hospital for 7 days after the birth.

After the event I was given no answers as to why the baby had been so big and was left quite frustrated.

When I got pregnant again in October last year although I was classed as 'high risk' because of my last babies size I wasn't booked in to see a consultant until 34 weeks. As I was concerned about the birth and carrying another big baby I pushed for an earlier appointment. I've had both GTT tests and again they have come back ok...on the high side but under the guidelines. I have still had high levels of sugar in my urine. The pregnancy has followed the same pattern except this time I have been scanned later. The Consultant hasn't really been much help other than ordering extra scans.

Basically what has happened is that I have developed Gestational Diabetes after the last GTT test at 28 weeks and this time I have had indicators such as a furry tongue (white fur and a little sore), I've also had the same urine feelings (not exactly infections but uncomfortable) all caused by excess sugar. I have been feeling rubbish and experiencing lower groin pains, especially when trying to poo The extra scans have shown the baby is on the same path as the last (98th percentile) but as I am having an elective C section at 38 weeks I hope he will be smaller.

I am lucky that my midwife ordered an extra GTT test the other week which showed up the Diabetes and I am now under the Diabetic team and am having to test and follow a strict diet for the next 12 days. I just wanted to let people know that I have been feeling so much better for the past few days since following a strict no sugar diet, I have some energy and don't feel 'ill' anymore. I wish I had been a little more forceful in trying to find out the reasons for my discomfort but was told at my last Consultant meeting that my symptoms were just those of being pregnant. Having spoken to the Diabetic team everything now seems extremely clear that I have suffered from some form of sugar overload and whilst not diagnosed as Diabetic earlier I would have been helped by following a stricter diet from the start.

As a result of the Diabetes the baby will need extra mionitoring after the birth and I will need to have another GTT test at 6 weeks post birth to check my blood sugar has returned to normal. I'm just glad to have finally found some answers.

Sorry if this is long but I just wanted to make others aware if they are experiencing anything similar.

I am pushing for an Elec- cs this time, also for the issues of control that i didnt have last time, and the trauma of not knowing if DD was alive. the drs are being patient with me but keep coming back to the fact there is ' no reason' i cant attempt a VBAC this time. Having now been diagnosed with GD, I am hoping they may cave in.....
i xant bear the thought of trying a VBAC and ending up with an em-cs.
have my first growth scan on monday so may know a little more about whether the GD is affecting it's size then. does anyone know, do i need a full bladder at this stage?

I sympathise Heebychick and Olivo. My main anxiety about natural birth this time round was just wether I would actually go into labour naturally as I was induced last time. I couldn't cope with the thought of going so overdue and like you then it all ending in an emergency situation. I suppose I have now been supported by the fact this baby is also so large, the consultant is ok with an elective but wanted me to go as close to 40 weeks as possible. He gave me the choice of next Tuesday (39 weeks) or this Thursday (38 weeks). I could tell he would have prefered next week but I am glad to only have another 5 days to go at this time...he's not the one carrying a bowling ball in his pelvis!

I had a bit of a scare at 36 weeks and ended up in a labour room with strong braxton hicks, I would have tried for a natural birth had I been in labour as the baby was smaller but it made me realise just how affected by the experience I had been. I was very relieved when the contractions stopped and I was able to go home.

I did struggle at first that I was somehow letting the side down by not going with a VBAC but to be honest there are a great many positives that I can see to having an elective especially when you have a toddler at home (mine's now 2.5). I'm not really worried about the recovery as I don't remember it being so bad last time and that was after a brutal 13 hour labour proceeding it. In a way I can cope with physical pain much better than the uncertainty. I know it will be hard and especially with another heavy baby but I'm feeling positive. I shall just take it easy and rely on all the help I can get, mentally I'm much more prepared this time!

I'm happy to let everyone know how things go so please feel free to contact me and I'll update this thread, I'm interested to see how the GD affects the birth, low sugar in the baby etc so can update on that. Thanks for all your comments, it's nice to feel supported.

My son's sugar was fine after the birth and was monitored for 24 hours. I've not had the GTT since my pregnancy ended as I'm not keen on hanging out at the hospital or the GP's surgery with a newborn at the moment! However I don't think I am diabetic but will get around to it at some point.

good luck tyniclogs, i hope it all goes well and look forward to hearing from you after the event!!

tyniclogs thank you for offering to keep us updated, i am really keen to know about your experience. I do feel the same as you, my DD is also 2.5 so i am in the same frame of mind as in i want to recover quickly so that i can be 'normal' again for DD as well as newborn.

I am also hoping olivo that the GD, if it's confirmed tomorrow, will be another pusher for the ELCS, my Dr's have been saying all along there is no need for me to have a csection, DD was overdue so even tho this baby is also big i might not go so overdue thus baby might be manageable etc etc i have prepared a lot for a VBAC but if i'm honest i will be relieved if the decision was taken out of my hands regarding breech or GD this week.

It's strange how scared i am this time of going into labour, i wasn't last time and am sure it has something to do with me being affected by the long drawn out labour of last time.

Can i ask what symptoms you've had with this GD, after having my all-clear at 28 weeks for GD i have since been craving so much sugar, i have dips if i am late to eat (i feel like i'm going to be sick, pass out, sweaty and hot) so have to quickly munch a banana or bread etc. i am thirsty a lot but wasn't too concerned as DH is too and it's hot. Just wondered if i have been in fact experiencing symptoms of building GD for a few weeks now??

PS my results last time at GTT was 6.7- is that normal?

Yep, all your symptoms sound familiar, especially craving sugar, I really wanted sweets, not cake or chocolate etc. I also had a white furry tongue (this time) and urine infections (last time) and a general feeling of being 'unwell'. It was my midwife who asked for the 3rd GTT. My results were: 5.9 and 7.6 at 28 weeks and then 5.8 and 9.7 with the third test. I have also had a blood test which determines wether the diabetes was gradual or quite sudden and it shows it came on quite quickly in the last few weeks.

I hope you get the birth you want and are supported with the decision, I know I couldn't go through the labour I had last time again.

Thanks for the reassurance llareggub and I completely understand about not wanting to go through yet another GTT with a baby in tow!

Thanks ever so tyniclogs i will be sure to let you know the results tomorrow. My first results were 5.7 then 6.7 which are normal apparently, i will be interested to see what they are tomorrow. I have been feeling so tired and quite 'sicky' but not sick or nausea just not well. Yes i am also craving bad foods, not sickly ones but mints and sweets etc rather than cake, i have a sweet tooth but not this bad, then lately i've noticed once i've had a fix of sweet something i feel quite weird, like i shouldn't of eaten them! (or is that just guilt?!!

Be in touch tomorrow xx

oh heck, i have had sopme of those symptoms - i was desperate for crappy sugary kids sweets and wanted ribena and lemonade all the time - they were the only things,as well as ice lollies that i could keep down though, when i was being sick. i also sfelt generally unwell but my dd, also 2, went through a long period of not sleeping and i was shattered. I have also been very thirsty.

my results were something like 4.5 post fast and 7.9 2 hrs after glucose drink. what i dont understand is that there's never been sugar in my urine.

tyni, i may ask about the blood test this week, but then if i found it'd been there a long time, i'd feel awful and worry more. can't win!

olivio, I think 7.8 is the cut-off for GD so you are pretty borderline IMO.

olivo that's unusual re no sugar in sample, i would of thought that would be a normal sign of potential GD? I'm not sure tho.

That's what alerted my MW to getting me tested again.

I never had any sugar either.

7.8? My highest reading was 7. So why was I down as having GD? I wish to God I had not been so terrified and asked more questions at the time

No, tell a lie, it was 7.8. But surely that puts me on the border too?

According to my MW, yes. The NICE guidelines say the same. I was diagnosed early and the nurse rather gleefully painted a very negative picture for me and left me in tears. Treatment of women with `gd is very poor, I think.

It's all very damning. I felt very depressed during the appointments at the clinic and very much to blame which, yes I am weight-wise but still. Apparently pre-eclampsia is another heightened risk if you're overweight and pg and it would be interesting to know how you're treated if you have that. Is there the same level of shame associated I wonder? Not that I want to find out but you know what I mean...

Interesting to hear that i'm only just over the borderline amount. i've just had a call from the diabetic nurse and have an appt with her and the dietician on weds.. i'm glad as i'm starving and worried about every morsel that passes my lips!!
been for a scan today - the baby is measuring a little bit big for this stage and i have polyhydramnios . more worry....

Hi ladies,

Well my result was 6.9, so not classed as GD but pretty close! She said it was rising and i really should be pressing MW for a scan and referral to measure baby again.

I feel a mixture of relief but also concern, it leads to a false sense of security because although i'm not diabetic for the last few weeks i feel i should still be very careful and conscious about the food i eat now.

Anyhow i have an appt on thurs pm to see the MW to find out position, if there is any doubt the MW last night said i should push for a referral for size as it is a big concern of mine.

olivo intresting to see that had i have been 0.2 more i would also be seeing the dietician etc! i'd like to know what happens at your appt. What is Polyhydramnios?

tyni how are you feeling today?

Hello Everyone, thanks for the updates and I'm glad everyone is getting seen and listened to at least! I had a bad night last night with bad pains which are related to.... having a poo! (Apologies for TMI) I actually had a bit of sugar last night...yes I caved, and had a mini ice lolly. It's been hard now that I'm not having to test my blood sugar and it's all so near. I'm determined to try to be better today and tomorrow as I know I'm going to be tested in hospital and it will affect the babies blood sugar if I go on a bender! I was getting these same bad pains before I cut the sugar so I think they're related to diet. It starts around 3-4am and they continue until I've passed something small and unpleasant, it's agony. The baby is just completely taking over now and I am so uncomfortable I could scream, I am so looking forward to Thursday morning it's untrue. I can't even imagine how I'd be if I had to go to 40 weeks if this is what I feel like at 38...

It doesn't help that my mother has been staying this week and rather than helping me she's actually made loads more work and has been sulking! I just don't have the energy to worry about her. My toddler has been taking against her and it's been causing tension, she has at least taken him to the park for a bit so I am getting a rest. She's announced she's going home on Sunday the day after I'm out hopefully if all goes well.

My husband starts his two week paternity tomorrow and he's been brilliant so I'm looking forward to him being around.

Hi tyni i totally emphathise with you! It is so much more difficult the second time huh! Luckily my DD is at nursery today and thursday so i get a break, phew! Ouch re the sugar-poo, sounds very nasty, i bet you can't wait for the Friday binge!! if only it were that simple eh, maybe you can relax the rules a tad then tho.

I have cut down a bit on sugar today and have just spent a small fortune on fresh fruit etc to keep me going, i hope that i can keep it up for the next few weeks.

Managed not to have any sugar yesterday and didn't have sugar poo pains in the night, hurrah! Still had to go at 4am though! Feeling not too big today and excited now that it's the day before. Bit apprehensive about the operation but trying to focus on meeting baby instead. I have been told I should be able to eat as normal after the baby is born and I am craving Thorntons Chocolate Covered Toffee, I'm hoping my DH has got the heavy hints!

this is a great thread and good luck especially to Tyniclogs . I've just been told my GTT came back as high end of normal so I'm to be re-tested in 3 weeks times. I know that if I adjusted my diet right now it would really help but I'm finding it so hard to get motivated. It just doesn't seem real and I really hate the thought of giving up my fruit as some days that is about all I fancy. Tyniclogs I hope you get your Thorntons when the time comes!

Hi, My MW has just said she can see me today instead of tomorrow so will be sure to report back!

hanging i know how you feel, i have failed at cutting down sugar today, it's like giving up all i love, thank goodness it's only short term - hopefully.

tyni in case you don't read MN tonight, lots of luck for tomorrow, do tell us all the details as i am really keen to know all after the event and lots of congratulations on your new arrival by this time tomorrow!

hi all

I am back with a positive GTT result. second time round for me. last time i was on insulin till DD1 had enough and i went into labour at 35+5. all was well except the forced ff feeding and then never established bf after that.

i had hoped for it all to be so different this time. i lost loads of weight got superfit (thinking this would stop the GD) got pregnant then wham, placenta previa grade IV diagnosed at 20 weeks, no exercise allowed and modified bed rest, then double wham positive GTT at 28 weeks, this time i can;t 'exercise the sugar away' so really worried about prognosis.

really glad you guys are gonna keep updating this thread, good luck to you all and especially keen to hear what happens post birth re: formula v breastfeeding. really want to breast feed this time. Having a c-section though due to previa so this totally new territory for me in most ways. i thought the last 8 weeks were long, this is gonna be a nightmare!

hello, just back from my appt with the diabetic people so thought i'd report back. having cut all cakes, biscuits, choc, sweets and juices since my results, the dietician was fine about what i'm now eating, as my weight is ok. Still allowed my cereal, sandwiches at lunch time and some carbs at my evening meal, as long as protein and veg are plentiful. ALso ok to have a couple of pieces of fruit a day, and even a small glass of fruit juice with my iron tablets!!
have been given a monitor to check my glucose levels before and 2 hrs after one meal each day; i have to report back to them every week but can do it by phone or email as long as the results aren't too way out. bizarrely enough, when she did my level to show me what to do, it was 3.4 or something, which would have been hypo in a normal diabetic!! it was nearly lunchtime though!

am feeling a little less anxious about this side of things, just got the excess fluid to worry about now.

tyni, best of luck for tomorrow

forever, sorry to hear about your result; hopefully we can support each other a bit. Remeber, it is the hormones that cause it, that has helped me a bit.
hanging, i have taken one day at a time and gradually cut down over a week so far; it is really difficult but rememebr there is an end in sight....somewhere!

olivo you've done really well so far, I hope it's all goes smoothly from now on.