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

was having a bit of a panic last night - could you tell!?

Still a bit shell shocked today, and wishing i'd asked more questions yesterday, but nevermind...

Hi there ladies,

OMG MrsK how exciting that you will meet your baby in 2-3 days time, you must be nervous and giddy at the same time! I guess you are around 37-38 weeks?? I'm not sure how far along everyone on here is really. Did they say anything about babies growth since you last had a scan? Good luck x

Lemontop, glad to hear the metformin in working on your bs levels but I have heard they can give you side effects doesn't sound much fun.

Brightonbleach, yes my baby is back to back too, is it all fours that is suppose to help with turning??? Baby feels VERY heavy on my pelvis/bladder area today, ouch! I can't believe I could be carrying a full term weight baby around for another 7-8 weeks, I am 31+3 and guessing the earliest they would probably induce is 39 weeks, maybe38?

Re: My induction
I was successfully induced at 36+4 with my son due to pre-eclampsia, I had been in hospital for 2 weeks prior and the plan was to induce at 37 weeks however at a scan a few days before it showed no growth and the placenta wasn't as efficient so they called me down to the labour suite a few hours later. Of course called my hubby who rushed over from work. They inserted a pessary and told me to walk around for a bit and I had to go back every hour for 6 hours to have the baby monitored, after the 6 hours the mw checked me and I was 1cm dialated (woohoo!), sometimes the 1st pessary doesn't work so they let you sleep and do a 2nd? As I was 1cm dialated the mw broke my waters to get things going, straight away my contractions were strong and almost continuous, I have nothing to compare it to but it was very intense. With it being a higher risk birth and induction it is more medicalised so they like to keep the monitor on baby which is frustrating as you just want to fidget alot to distract from the pain, the monitor wasn't picking up my contractions as I seemed to feel mine low down in the groin area rather than across my bump. I did pace the room alot and tried to get 'comfy' in different positions. Sometimes you need a drip to help start the contractions but I didn't on this occasion, they were very strong which I took to mean they must be making me dialate quicker? After a trip to the loo I came out and said to the mw that I felt I needed to push and like I needed a poo (embarrassing!) and she said that's a good sign, shall I examine you? The examining bit was very uncomfortable and they only tend to do it about every 4.5 hours to avoid infection and I hadn't been going even 4 hours but when she examined me I was 9cm The pushing took a fair amount of time with it being my first child and the head not being engaged to start with but overall the time was very quick. From breaking my waters to my baby being born it was approx 4.5 hours, as I said it was intense because everything moved so quickly but I would rather that tbh and overall it was a really positive induction, with no pain relief!

My son was born 6lb 8oz and healthy but because of the induction & PE they took him straight to the baby trolley to check him over and my husband was not allowed to cut the cord
I did tear and need stitches but this was nothing to do with the induction and is common. Although inductions are more medicalised so therefore more serious they do keep a closer eye on you and even if they suggest something not in your birth plan they do it for the safety of you and baby so the best thing to do is trust them, I didn't like my 2nd mw after shift change and cried (she was more stern) she ended up being fab and I gave birth on my side with one leg on her shoulder lol (her suggestion)!

I'm sure other induction stories vary massively but this was mine and I did feel positive about it, quick and painful rather than long and slightly less painful would be my choice any day. I am guessing this time the process will probably be similar if I manage to avoid a c-section but I have scared myself silly by already doubting my ability to push out such a big baby, the doctors and scans have scared me a bit and I really need to have more faith in myself??

If you got this far, well done, sorry it's so long xx

Forgot to add that I had been taking raspberry leaf tablets, I will never know if they helped ripen my cervix but I like to think so. The day after my induction my consultant was honest and said he was very surprised that the induction had been so successful so it seems they do not always work when baby is so early?? Plus he said it was fast as baby had a fair way to travel so I will be starting to take them or drink the tea again next week.

xxx

mrs r thanks for sharing your induction story. It sounded pretty positive overall!

Interesting about the raspberry leaf capsules. I've got some and some teabags. I've just started drinking a cup of the tea a day but I don't know how effective that is really and if you're supposed to take either / or. I really like the taste though! Maybe I'll start on the capsules too.

I'm 33+5 by the way. First pregnancy.

hey all

MrsK oh my god! can't believe your LO has turned again - I suppose you can only hope they turn by themselves by thurs?? - my SIL had the manual turning attempt thingy recently, said it was the worst thing ever & didn't work & was worse in fact than the c-section she had in the end which she said was nowhere near as bad as she was fearing, in fact she was pretty pleased with it (& recovery a few months down the line). gosh, I will be thinking of you this week; you'll be excited to finally meet your bump! how are you feeling now?

MrsR thanks so much for sharing, thats really helped me to hear what its actually like from someone whos been there

I am 34+4, 1st pregnancy. apparently 'all fours' is a really good way to encourage them to turn around, also not to sit back in the sofa, always sit forward, and don't lay on your back (argh) & bounce on birthing ball. am trying it all! next scan monday.

I have started raspberry leaf capsules yesterday!

Hi all

Been granted a bit of a reprieve -spent all of monday night and tuesday morning fretting about being induced this thurs and as I was at the hospital anyway on Tuesday afternoon for Physio (am now on crutches!) I decided to go to antenatal clinic to see if I could have another chat with my consultant...

I explained my concerns to the midwife and asked if the induction could be postponed to Monday. Main concerns were that DS has been unwell this week so childcare arrangements for the end of the week were haphazard at best, and also that I just felt i'd be more prepared physically aswell as mentally by Monday, and more relaxed about DS which I feel will all contribute to likelihood the induction will be successful... Midwife spoke to consultant, who, much to my amazement, agreed that this would be OK, provided I agree to be monitored for a few hours yesterday and friday. So, Monday is the big day... I'll be exactly 39 weeks. Fingers crossed baby doesn't flip back to breech before then!

MrsR big thanks for sharing your inducti0n story - it's good to hear a positive story as when I was induced for DS it didn't go particularly smoothly.

Hope everyone's doing well.

Had my online shop delivered today - included a pack of jaffa cakes to enjoy once I get home from hospital

mrskitty that's good news. At least you get a bit more time to get your head round it and get DS sorted. Good luck! Bet you're looking forward to those Jaffa Cakes!

I'm just back from the hospital. I was supposed to see the consultant but he didn't turn up. After waiting for over an hour (was supposed to be first appointment at 9am!) I saw another doctor who told me the baby was big and that they'd probably induce me at 39 weeks but it was the (missing) consultant's decision. Total waste of time. Wish I'd stayed in bed! I've got to go back next Thurs as they wouldn't let me pop in to see diabetes doc to regulate my appointments. I hate the diabetes clinic sometimes!

Hi Everyone

Was invited to join in here by the lovely brightonbleach as have just been diagnosed with GD and am struggling not to panic/be very confused!

I am having to check blood sugar 4 times a day (before breakfast/lunch/dinner/bedtime) and was told the reading should be between 4 and 7.

The diabetes nurse also said to do a few readings a couple of hours after meals so the consultant I am due to see on Tuesday has a bit more background info. I have only done one after meal test and it was 7.9, is it normal to be higher 2 hours after you've eaten?

Its been good reading your experiences, although they do sound quite different to mine!!

hey everyone, hope all good

MrsK ooo thats good then, better for you to get prepared. amazing that they can flip around isn't it, I kind of assumed they'd be stuck once you get past 30 weeks... shows what I know!

I had a terrible hypo yesterday, worst one for over a month shaking like a cocktail shaker grrr managed not to end up on the floor though, but can't see what i did wrong ho hum. it knocked the whole day out of whack but I feel ok again today.

I have NCT classes coming up, any of you guys been on them? don't know if there will be any fellow diabetes sufferers there, but all stories will be interesting I'm sure; plus some practical advice will be good as I don't seem to be getting any hints at my appointments what labour/birth/induction/c-sections, any of it bascially actually involves! I get more from coming on here...

I've directed a few people on the board asking about GD to come over to this thread so we might get a few more worried newly-diagnosed popping by!

hope you're all really well. its boiling hot in Brighton today so I'm going to put the fan on full-blast and rest (on all fours of course )

laura welcome! Your testing sounds quite different to mine. I have to test 6 times a day before and 1 hour after meals when they want my blood sugar to be less than 7.8. I was going over that so they gave me Metformin to lower my blood sugar which seems to be working.

brighton sorry to hear about your hypo. I'm not doing NCT but am planning on going to the antenatal classes at the hospital. Unfortunately my DH is working the next few weeks as I really think he should go. He still thinks there is a men's waiting room and a 'head end'!

Morning Everyone,

I know this has probably been asked in this thread, but does anyone have suggestions of what sort of things to eat and what to avoid?

I have stopped my fresh orange juice habit in its tracks , but I'm finding I'm scared of eating anything incase it sends my levels crazy but then I want to make sure I am eating enough so the baby is getting enough nutrients!!

Speaking of levels they have been a bit all over the place, 4.7 before breakfast yesterday, 7.9 2 hours after (won't have cheerios again!!), 3.9 before lunch (only 1.5 hours after previous reading!), 2.6 before dinner, 5.1 before bed, then 4.3 before breakfast this morning!!

Does this get any less confusing?! Lol.

hi Laura, welcome hope you're doing ok - its worth you having a look through this whole thread, theres loads of good food recipes tips and ideas

you need to be careful with anything heavily carbs (count portions like 3 tbspns of pasta or 3 small new potatoes or 1 slice of bread or a small bowl cereal is a portion, and you should have about 6 portions of carbs a day approx) & obviously avoid sugar (this includes honey, fruit juice, mints, things that you wouldn't think have sugar in - like alot of cereals! check the packets on things, if sugar or something ending in -ose is in the first 1,2,3 ingredients then its heavy on the sugar). carb-y things that are excellent are Low G.I. things like brown rice, sweet potatoes... and you can eat rather more of them than the 'white' versions!

as to your levels, are you eating approx every 3 hours? to even out the levels its good to eat smaller portions but make sure you eat regularly i.e., 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm is what I follow (except if I have a big lunch or dinner I will forget the 3pm and 9pm but I check if my levels are staying up, and at those 'inbetween meals' times I often just eat fruit or nuts or a L/F yoghurt or something, nothing heavy)

your level before breakfast is spot on so you're obviously eating well in the evenings (should be betwen 4 & 5 when you wake) & 3.9 before lunch is a bit low so I would eat a little something mid-morning and 2.6 is way in hypo territory and very low before dinner, so mid-afternoon you should have something as well. I keep a handful of health food shop fruit/nut bars around as well, no-sugar ones that are great mid-afternoon especially if you're not at home, great handbag-size things! and bananas.

if it helps,I keep a food diary, you'll find most of us do that, so you can see for yourself what sends you high or what keeps you even and also the consultants often like to see your food diary in your appointments (well, mine do, as well as my blood diary). hope any of this is of use to you

Lemon hi there I know what you mean, my DH is coming to the NCT classes (all 3 days of it!!) but seems to be looking forward to it like a hole in the head... Hope theres some useful stuff there to keep him occupied - and other blokes for him to bond/moan with haha.

Hi Laura -welcome! Re:food- bulk stuff up with lots of veg, but make sure you're also getting a good balance of protein & (good) carbs. cottage pie with sweet potato topping, chilli or curry + basmati rice all work for me in the evening, and jacket potatoes or sandwiches (bacon, tomoato, avocado & cheese is my current favourite) at lunchtime. I think breakfast is a struggle for everyone tbh- needs a bit (alot) of trial and error to see what works for you.

lemon I went to NCT classes when I was having DS- we went on an intensive weekend course rather than over a few weeks and found it really helpful - made us really think about the birthing process. 2 years on I'm still friends with most of the women from the course and we all meet up every couple of weeks. That was by far the main benefit for me - I've made some really good friends- and once you've had the baby it's so nice to have other people at the same stage to talk things over with!

Oooh - forgot to mention - I had a show yesterday! Perhaps this baby will get moving without the need for an induction... fingers crossed. (Sunday night would be helpful!)

Good luck MrsK! Keeping everything crossed for you!

good luck MrsK, also crossing everything for you, can't wait to hear how it all went/goes (smooth as a babys bum hopefully)

Hi ladies,

Sorry to have disappeared for a few days, went to diabetes clinic wednesday and I had 1+ protein in my wee and my blood pressure was high so had to see another consultant due to my history of pre-eclampsia and the fact that GD can trigger it

They did some bloods but were happy enough with the results for now that I was allowed home but went in for another check up yesterday, blood pressure was a bit down as hoped as they have put me on blood pressure medicine but still 1+ protein. MW is doing a home visit tomorrow to check again so I guess they are keeping a close eye on changes, I remember this from last time and am wondering if it's only a matter of time before they admit me ,i'm dreading it as obviously this time I have son to take care of and I run my own business so it's all a bit panicky, I have my husband to help but I don't want to be admitted, I will miss them like mad! Trying to push it to the back of my mind and hope that it doesn't come to that
Am back at diabetes clinic on wed and will be seeing consultants and having a scan etc so should be an interesting appointment.

Glad you found the induction story helpful, really hope it goes smoothly for anyone who has to have one.

MrsK - Wishing you lots of luck for Monday (or before of course) xx

Laura - welcome to the thread, i''m fairly new here too and these lovely ladies have been very helpful. I test 6-7 times a day, before every meal and 1hr after and then before bed if there is enough time gone by since last test. I stopped the OJ straight away too and have been following the diet but my levels were not shifting, I am on insulin twice a day now but still struggling, I have been upped to 20 twice a day but after breakfast I am still at 12-13 and after dinner 9-11 arrrrgh!! My before meal levels are coming down slightly so am being stricter with my food choices/portions, so hard though. My targets are 4-6 before meals and under 8 after meals.
A diary is a good idea as thats what I do and it has helped me to see which foods work best and which to avoid.

BB - Sorry to hear about your hypo, they sound nasty so hope I don't get one. Will try some tips to get baby turning but tbh I think she has been turning quite alot, still head down but sometimes i feel the hard bulk that is probably the back/bum and other times it's gone! Will see wed what position she is in at the moment

For those other ladies on insulin, which level are you at? I think mine is still quite low at 20 twice a day??? Am nervous that baby is still getting too much sugar.

AAlso anyone have experience of getting pre-eclampsia aswell as GD?

xxxxx

hey hey MrsR hope you feeling ok, that sounds a bit of a stressful few days! I haven't been preggers before so don't know about pre-eclampsia myself (& am hoping not to either no offense ! my urine tests have all been NAD so far, next appointment is this monday so we'll see). My 'background' insulin (Lantus, whats yours?) is 18 at bedtime (it started at 20 daily, went up in increments to 28 & then they realised it was sending me into hypos so back down to 18 now) & I have a smaller dose of 'instant fast acting' insulin called NovoRapid with each meal of 6-10 (I choose the dose myself depending on the carb content of the meal, obviously if theres no carbs or sugar, i.e., a simple salad, then I don't inject with that meal - I try to avoid injecting with at least one meal a day so that I am eating lighter as well, ie.,e I wouldn't need an injection with a fruit and yoghurt breakfast but I would with a bowl of cereal or toast). I didn't have to inject with meals straight away, they added those injections about 6 weeks into treatment (I was diagnosed at 14weeks and put straight onto night time injections, then saw them every 2 weeks since).

MrsR thanks for additional advice, sorry to hear you're having a rough time, hopefully it will all be fine, at least they are keeping an eye on you. I used to keep a food diary for slimming so I think I will definitely start again.

So far I have found that Allinson wholemeal batch bread has been ok for breakfast and had a baked potato with cheese and bacon for lunch (with salad) and was 5.5 2 hours after so that is good. I'm making chicken fajitas for tea and have bought some wholemeal wraps, so hopefully one of those will be ok and I will just have the chicken and veg if still hungry.

A leaflet the diabetic nurse gave me said wholemeal pasta would be ok, so had that for tea last night but that was obviously a bit of an error cos after that and some houmous with carrot sticks for a snack a bit later was 8.7 at bedtime!!

MrsK - Good luck and hope all goes well, v exciting!

Brightonbleach and everyone - thanks for humouring my questions you have probably heard a million times!!

Hi all hope everyone is well, sorry to hear about possible pre-eclampsia Mrs R, hope it resolves itself. My consultant had me do one of those 24 hr urine things, which was fun .

Is anyone else struggling with eating? it's really starting to annoy me now, I have been put onto insulin (now increased to 8 at night and 4-6 with meals) but half of my post meals readings are still slightly out of target. I was doing so well for 4 weeks with the healthy eating but for the last week or so I have slipped a few times must be stricter with myself (4 weeks to go aargh). I so hope it bloody goes away .

blackletterday hi just so you know, my consultant explained to me that GD gets gradually worse as you get more pregnant, obv especially last trimester, apparently you get increasingly insulin-resistant! So that would explain why you were getting good levels for 4 weeks and now the same foods are sending you slightly high.I had the same - they increased my doses slightly a few weeks back because of this (& added a breakfast one), I am 35+4 approx now. So, its not anything you're doing wrong, or not being strict enough, its the pregnancy hormones and the diabetes conspiring to make life more difficult for you! are you allowed to raise your insulin slightly on your own? or give your diabetic nurse/team a ring... they would want you to as the last trimester is when any highs will give LO an extra unneeded growth spurt! I get seen again tomorrow, my insulin may well go up a bit then as well as have been slightly over target all week with meals that were wonderfully mid-range levels 2 weeks ago...

Just a quickie... Went into spontaneous labour on Saturday evening!!! ... Thought my waters were leaking so drove myself in to get checked out...Started having contractions whilst on the monitor, whole thing over & done with in 4.5 hours on just G&A and TENS. Eliza Penelope was born at 23:27 weighing 8lb 13.5oz, fed really well in the delivery room and her blood sugar levels were 3+ every time they were checked in the following 36 hours so no need for top ups or expressed milk. Just got home now and she's starting to wake up so need to get off & feed her. Am sooooooooo happy with how it all went! Couldn't have been any better (and DH taped Strictly Come Dancing for me so it's all good )

Catch up with everyone soon.

Huge congratulations MrsK on what sounds like a positive birth experience without hassle of induction. Just as well you got them to delay till Monday! great news about her sugar levels and being able to bf with no hassle. Enjoy time with your little one and keep us updated. xx

aww congratulations on your little girl MrsK, that's fab news and sounds like a really positive experience and baby was a reasonable size

BB - how did your appointment go today?

My insulin is Novamix 30 and I am now on 25 twice a day so will see what happens before I see them on wednesday.

Blackletterday - I am still struggling a bit and remember BB telling me that you can become more insulin resistant as the pregnancy goes on so it's just about finding the right level and then keeping an eye on things, my readings are still out of target and its so frustrating, i'm really worried about finding out my babies growth rate on wednesday.

I had my follow up home visit on sunday after going to hospital Friday the midwife sent me to hospital again yesterday to be assessed, I have to say it was a much more thorough assessment. I still have the +1 in protein, the raised bp (although not really high), swelling quite bad in legs and feet, headaches and a few occurances of black floaters in front of my eyes, baby was also quieter for 24 hours but sure enough once they put me on the monitor she was kicking away they think its pre-eclampsia developing but are treating it with blood pressure medicine to help with all the symptoms hopefully.

To be honest I am finding it all a bit much and a feel quite emotional, add the fact that I have a trapped nerve and achy pelvis, im feeling a bit sorry for myself lol

Sure tomorrow will be a better day, hows everyone else doing? xx

Congratulations MrsK, that sounds like it was all fab. What a beautiful name too.