Gestational Diabetes

[lemontop]

Hi

Just had results of my GTT come back high and have an appointment to see two doctors next week. I think one might be a consultant and the other a dietician. Has anyone had any experience of GD in pregnancy? If so what's likely to happen at my appointment?

I'm a bit concerned that I'll be 31 weeks when I have my appointment which seems a bit late.

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Hi there - this thread is a little old. [[https://www.mumsnet.com/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes
If you want to read more about gestational diabetes, we’ve got some information here]]. MNHQ

Thanks BB, will try all bran when I go shopping. I'm finding it quite interesting how different foods effect different people.

I'm pretty nervous about tomorrow, not sure what to expect, I find consultants quite intimidating sometimes, I am being monitored by a consultant due to a history of Pre-eclampsia and when I last saw one of his team at 12 weeks he didn't make me feel comfortable at all. Hope tomorrow will be better as don't want to end up in tears lol, hormonal wreck!

I am going on my own, do most of you or does your partner/friend go with you?

On a positive note I am having a 4d scan done tomorrow night, I had one done at 26 weeks and this is the follow up (I am 30+4), so excited xx

my DH came to all the early appointments inc the diabetic ones but has been working 6 days a week for the last 3-4months, so I've gone on my own to the majority as I'm still really mobile & the appointments are pretty standard up till this stage. My mum came to yesterdays, and DH will be coming to these end few appointments now. I've been quite lucky I think with the hospital-led pregnancy I'm having, as the teams are pretty nice even tho they're busy and I don't get mega time with them. I'm not getting the 'in depth chatty midwife' sessions that some seem to get in community-led care, but I don't feel I need that anyways as I have family I can ask for tea, sympathy & support if I need it! I've been pleased to be honest with a straightforward fortnightly brisk obstetrician appointment where I can ask anything technical, and they do tell me if I'm doing well etc, & my diabetic nurse I spend 20 mins with beforehand is very nice as well.

ooo MrsR enjoy the 4d scan!

hormonal wreck.... i know what you mean mine happen at night or if i eat too much and get a tight bump or braxton hicks tightenings, makes me feel like I can't breathe & then I work myself into a panic attack! doh...

I remember eating about half a cup of plain cheerios for breakfast, with a little nonfat milk. I think I was allowed about 8 ozs nonfat milk a day so I had to ration it out between cereal and tea. I was told to limit fruit to low GI fruits, even had to count out a maximum 15 grapes, and carrots were also limited for high GI reasons, if I remember right. I also recall being put on a drip during the entire labour, which settled the nutrition question, but made labour a bit uncomfortable as DD was monitored the whole time too, from first putting in the gel until she was born 36 hours later.

I started taking Metformin yesterday as hadn't been able to keep sugar down particularly at breakfast. It's given me a bad stomach which is not great work wise as I'm a teacher and can't really be running out of classes!
Keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be ok at the growth scan on Friday. am 33 weeks tomorrow. Time has really started going quickly!

hey lemon hope it settles down for you (I don't know much about metformin, someone else will probably be along shortly who knows more )

let us know what happens at your scan, I just had mine & am 33weeks too, we can compare measurements if you like!

Spent the day at the hospital (literally ALL day!) today as I was concerned that i'd not had much movement for a day or so...arrived ay 10am and was sent home at 330! Was strapped to a monitor for an hour or so, then waited for a few hours for a scan where they measured blood flow through the cord. All turned out fine though and the good news is that the scan showed baby has flipped from breech to cephalic since last week, which I got the impression was very unexpected at my stage (37+) so I might not have to have a section after all... growth scan and consultant on monday will decide that. In the meantime, now that baby's head down, i'll be doing all I can think of to get things going naturally!

Down side is that my back has given out - was stiff yesterday and painful today but manageable, but since getting back from hospital I can barely walk has been agony sorting out dinner for DS and now I've got to contend with bedtime He's been allowed a bit extra tv whilst I summon the energy!

Not sure what to do about my back...TENS machine arrived yesterday so might give that a go since i'm past 37 wks.

Really must pack my hospital bag....

So busy banging on about myself I forgot to ask how everyone else is doing!

lemontop sorry to hear the tablets aren't agreeing with you

lemontop and brighton good luck with your growth scans, and mrsR 4d scan sounds v exciting!

Hi ladies,

Sorry to hear about your back MrsKitty but great news about baby turning yay!

Good luck for Friday lemontop!

Brightonbleach, I would love to hear your growth scan results, i'm freaking out at bit

Had my first diabetes clinic yesterday, man was it long, arrived about 9.50 and left at 2pm! They have put me on insulin twice a day, which I did half expect but was still a little upset and everyone was right when they said the finger pricking actually hurts more!!! Bit of a bad experience first time as the nurse asked me to try it at 12 as we both thought I would eat soon but then I got stuck hanging around and couldn't eat till 2pm by which time I was shaky and felt sick, my blood sugar was 4 obviously cos I hadn't eaten since 7.30am.

Anyway the senior nurse has given me her mobile to call in 2 days with my readings as she suspects the dose won't be high enough but said it's better to start off lower and build up, she was really lovely and supportive and kept telling me it wasn't my fault.

Now, the reason I am freaking out a little bit is the estimated baby weight is 5.9lbs already and I am 31 weeks on Saturday. The ac measurement is way out of the range and now I am feeling really scared. How big are your babies ???? Has anyone slowed down the growth?
No wonder I look full term lol

I managed to keep myself together until I got to my car and then just had a surge of tears, think it was just alot to take in and so many things running through my head, feel like I have let my baby down, I do know this isn't my fault but us mums do tend to feel guilty all the time anyway.

So I am back on wednesday to see how insulin and readings are going etc and then will be scanned the following week to check growth.

Sorry it was a long one....
xx

MrsK fabulous news for you! unexpected at this stage, eh? you really didn't want a c-section if you could avoid it did you, so am very pleased for you... I hold out hope for my little one flipping from face up to face down then he's moved from breech but is 'sunny side up' at the mo. I've been doing the 'all fours' and 'leaning over a birthing ball' stuff to try and shift him... Hope your back is feeling better today? I had to do stretching exercises on the floor for sciatic pain, not sure if I could get back up if it happens again at this stage though...

I've packed my hospital bag this week (!) after hearing from a relative who was on hols recently visiting friends who live abroad, their daughter was due in 7 weeks time & suddenly on the weekend her waters went, they rushed her in and they had a grandaughter with 5 hours!! she hadn't packed her bags or even completed the room renovations they were working on -gulp!

hey there MrsR sorry to hear you've had a difficult day yesterday! its always a nightmare, the first appointment, its a shock no matter what isn't it? now that you're on insulin you have to make sure you always, always have food on you (I carry a banana or 2 wherever I go! Great for stopping the shakes & keeping you level) and also glucose tablets, or even chocolate, as once it gets below 4 you need to get it back up quickly and before you're too out-of-it to do that. I've had some really bad hypos early on when I was very glad my DH was there as he was good at shoving chocolate or full fat ribena down me whilst I was too dazed (when it went suddenly to 1 or 2, I felt utterly sick, shaky, then didn't know my own name, apparently I didn't even look like myself! I don't seem to get them as low as that now, probably cos have learnt to a. recognise them and b.test myself more often than necessary!) by the way, its only 'highs' that can affect the baby as well, 'lows' will only affect you - so thats good news in a way isn't it, cos on insulin you should be able to get lower than you have been.

the good news is that the insulin will help slow the baby's growth now, you may find that he/she slows down and measurements catch up with themselves and average out - don't forget babys have growth spurts as well. 3 weeks ago at my 30week scan they were concerned as he was 4lb already & measurements for head and tummy were right at the top end of the scale; this time (monday at 33+3 scan) he is 4lb 8oz and is in the 75th centile for growth, which is above average but not by too much, they also said that the tummy especially (they worry about baby's tummy measurement more than anything else with diabetics) and the head had slowed right down and the rest of him had caught up - so I was very pleased this week! did they give you a 'centile' percentage?

try not to worry, you're doing your best for your bubba and I'm sure he/she is doing great

mrsk great news that your baby decided to turn around and fingers crossed you won't need a c section and things get moving soon!

mrsr2004 I think the first visit to the diabetic clinic is always the worst. It should get better from now on when you go and know what to expect. I hated that first day. I was rushed around and really didn't have a clue what was going on. Hope the insulin works and at least you get another scan soon to see what's going on.

brighton good luck with the exercises! I need to buy some babyclothes and wash them and then I'm going to pack my bag too. My mam had me and my brother very early (4wks and 3wks) and is convinced I'm going to have the baby early. That would suit me just fine to be honest!

Just been to diabetic clinic and despite the side effects metformin seems to be working so don't have to report back for 2 weeks. woo hoo! I'll be there tomorrow for scan and consultant next Thurs. Really wish they could coordinate appointments so I see everyone on the same day!

Is this something that the midwife checks for routinely at 28 weeks? I'm a bit worried about it - family history etc - plus I'm gaining around 3lbs a week and my fd is measuring large for 30 weeks (an extra 3cms). There are no other signs of weight gain elsewhere, though, on my hips etc. Would appreciate any advice

Hi Daisy

I think it depends on your area as to whether they check you as a matter of routine, or if it's based on various indicators (BMI/Family history/previous babies/Baby's measurements). It also seems to vary at what point they will test (last time I was tested at 28 wks, this time not till 32 wks at a different hospital)

If you have concerns re:family history make your midwife aware and request a GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) towards the end of your 2nd trimester.

Good Luck

Hey everyone

My back is still in bits today - saw the midwife today who suspects PGP (pelvic girdle pain) in my Sacro Iliac joint (which was my own internet based diagnosis too ) she has requested that I be referred for physio, but given that I'm due to be induced in 2-3 weeks I'm not holding out alot of hope for getting a referral in time! Have been hobbling around all day holding on to anything I can find to keep me upright! Thankfully DS was at nursery today and asked to watch a DVD when we got home rather than go to the playground, but he'll be home all day tomorrow - was hoping to take him out for the day but I think that's out now

MrsR It's all very overwhelming, I know exactly how you feel, but believe me, you get very used to it very quickly - I was amazed at how quickly I went from complete freak out about the whole situation to just accepting and getting on with it And we're all here to hold your hand

As for the size of your baby - sounds similar weight to what mine was estimated at 32 wks - Abdominal measurement was 97th percentile, other measurements were normal. At 36 week scan the Abdomen was still 97th percentile and weight estimated at 7lb 9oz but I'm hoping that at my scan on Monday (38wks) things will have evened out a bit as my levels have been pretty good for the last few weeks.

Brighton fingers crossed for your little one turning around soon...I had a 'back to back' birth last time and I won't lie to you- it didn't help! Contractions were all in my back which hurt like hell and I think that's part of the reason I had an epidural (although I was also induced which probably didn't help!)

Lemontop Good news re: your levels! It's such a pain having to go back and forth to the hospital on different days though.

hey all.

lemon cheers! dizzy from being on all fours I know what you mean, I wouldn't secretly mind if he was slightly early...is that terrible of me?? I'm due to be induced (or c-section if needed) the week of the 14th-19th Oct, I don't know what induction is like as this is our 1st baby... How annyoying that your appointments are segregated out? weird. mine are all in one, so every other monday I have, say, a 2pm appointment which is scan 2.15, diabetic nurse approx 3pm then consultant any time from 3-6 depending on the clinic (I am sat there hours but at least its all in one place on one day)

daisy in my area its routine to test GTT at 14 weeks and then 28 weeks apparently, luckily for me! You can always ask to be tested if you're worried... let us know.

mrsK ooo I hear your pain! argh. I suspect you're right, you'll probably have the baby and find the referral to the physio in the post when you get home... are any of those heat packs any good for it? my mum just gave me a couple of those heat packs you can buy in Boots for back pain just in case I get another sciatic attack, they're supposedly good for the pain, tho i don't know how much...

Would you believe it - Physio called me this morning asking me to come in on Tuesday! She did say they won't be able to do alot, but will fit me for a support belt and give me some advice...

That's Monday & Tuesday at the hospital for me this week then...

Just back from growth scan. Abdominal circumference is 97 percentile and I'm 33 weeks. Estimated weight is 2.44kilo which is about 5.4lb. I've got another scan in three weeks. I guess I just have to keep my sugar levels constant and hope it doesn't grow too much! Looked fairly squashed in my tum!

lemontop - I had a scan at around 33 weeks and it was all in the 97th percentile, but then I finished work, and my overall levels lowered, and on the follow up scan she was much lower - so don't get too worried. When do you finish work? I found when I had less stress everything calmed down a lot. Also - the estimated weight of baby was WAY off - I think they thought she'd be 8.5lb, and she was 7.6lb in the end.

Also - I had the same problem with metformin - but try those drinks you can have for breakfast - there's some 0% ones, so they shouldn't affect your sugar levels, but they should help you - like Danone Actimel, that kind of thing? Make sure it's the 0% kind, though.

thoughtforums that's good to know. I finish work on Weds so not long now! Will try and start doing the Davina DVD to see if that makes a difference too. Hopefully the baby won't grow too much more.

Lemon don't worry too much & don't forget that babies have growth spurts as well & it may well be that he/she slows down by the next scan naturally and it will all balance out in the end. they worry us with these growth charts and figures & it nearly always seems to work out fine - anxiety doesn't help us though does it?!

Mrsk typical!! well thats good though...

Busy on here today

Brightonbleach - wow must have been awful when your levels dropped to 1 or 2, thanks for advice about always eating and carrying food when on insulin. I have fetched some glucose tablets and small cartons of OJ today to carry with me. Oh, I was induced with my son so if you have any q's ask away

MrsK - your back pain sounds awful, I can really sympathise as I have just slowly crawled around tesco shopping and was nearly in tears, I have a trapped nerve in my lower back and achy pelvis/heavy bump, after 10 mins i'm in alot of pain
2 days at the hospital sounds pretty miserable but hope they can ease your pain a little? Be interested to hear how you babies measurements look on Monday, hope the growth has settled a bit.

Daisy - I was tested at 20 weeks after sugar appearing in all my urine checks, the result was ok but borderline, was tested again at 28 weeks and suddenly my blood sugar levels were high. 28 weeks is an average time for GD to show up I think? Worth mentioning your family history as I do think they normally test in these situations but it does vary.

Lemontop - Your baby sounds similar to mine and i'm 30+4 lol, i'm hoping baby has just had a growth spurt!

Well, not much new with me, the insulin injecting is going fine but my levels are only coming down by 1 so called the senior nurse and she has told me to up the dose and I can call her over the weekend if things don't change or I am worried - how lovely is that?!! I'm desperate to get my levels under control.

My 4d scan on wed night was so special, I was a little distracted trying to see if she looked big for her size following my earlier hospital scan, bit tricky to get piccies as the head was right down in my pelvis and of course she is bigger than average 30 week baby but we got some great photos in the end, she was sucking her thumb and yawning alot bless.

Just wanted to also say thanks so much for reassuring me about everything, i'm new on here and feel very welcome xx

hey all hows everyone getting along?

all fine here, time is crawling along & I'm not sleeping too well but otherwise good panicking about waking up on my back all week after finding out he is 'back to back'!! next scan in a week. My placenta is 'high anterior' apparently which is encouraging him to lay sunny side up...

MRsR oh yes,any advice/stories on induction more than welcomed. Hope you doing well on your injections? your 4D scan sounds fab.

Oh God.
Spent day at the hospital... scan showed baby had gone back to breech so waited around a few hours and had an ECV (manual turning of baby) ...Then had a sweep (awful experience!) and now I'm booked in for an induction THIS THURSDAY! ...wasn't expecting that till next week so now all a bit of a panic. Need to arrange care for DS, DH needs to cancel a big meeting and oh shit - we'll have a baby by the weekend Haven't bought a mattress yet. Or sorted out our room. Or a million other things...

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi brighton my placenta is anterior high too. I don't know what position my baby's in other than head down.

I'm feeling ok but seem to get really tired and have to have a lie down which is so unusual for me. The Metformin seems to be doing a good job on my blood sugar but leaves me so thirsty all the time, which in turn makes me drink more and have to get up loads of times in the night to visit the toilet!

I start maternity leave on Thurs so am hoping for lots of rest then.

mrskitty omg!!!! good luck. You really are going to have a baby by the weekend! The room and million other things can wait, just do what you can and keep us posted. At least you won't be pregnant anymore if that's any consolation!