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

hi all

MrsK !!!! wow, am SO pleased for you - I bet you're shocked after worrying, at how wonderfully 'couldn't be better' that sounds - fantaaaaastic stuff! I forget, is this your 2nd? and, wow you're home quick as well - they told me yesterday to expect about 4 days in, I'd be very very happy if his levels didn't dip when he's out here in the world and then they let me home after 2 days... congratulations, well done, beautiful baby girl with a lovely name as well. well done you! Hope you're feeling on top of the world.

MrsR sorry to hear you're having a bit of a struggle - I hear P/E is no picnic don't be hard on yourself, some days you definately deserve to feel sorry for yourself, eh!

my appointment went ok yesterday y'all, well apart from the fact I felt they were all a little hard on me (but that might be my 35+3 hormones!!), things like the nutritionist saying "Whats this 'sliver of carrot cake' in your diary?? you shouldn't have that" very sternly - one slice of teeny, tiny cake in 6 months,per-lease, I NEVER eat dessert and have been really good and have only gained 13lbs at this moment, what do they want from me, blood?!?! argh. and then the Obs told me sternly that the baby's tummy measurement has shot up again, and is now 1mm bigger in circumference than the head (!) and thats what they worry about in diabetic patients so I "mustn't be over 7 after any meal in the next 2 weeks", so I'm going to feel incredibly guilty if something does send me high this week now, thanks... & now he's weighing a whopping 6lbs 1 (no wonder I'm tired!) but I've got 4 weeks to go - how I'm going to keep him from being over 10lbs I don't know... ho hum, hopefully it will all turn out fine anyway. Oh, and i've also been asked to keep a count of the kicks now, anyone else? bit ridiculous really, to be rushing to a bit of paper every time he wriggles, but I will try.

oh & I've been given a date for induction now, the 27th October, 4 days before my due date and further along than i was expecting/they were expecting to give me - last time they were saying about inducing in the 38th week, now its booked in for 39th week "because you're doing so well", so if I'm really, really lucky I have a chance of going into labour spontaneously - although I've heard its not common to be slightly early with 1st babies is this true?

they also raised my baseline insulin back up to 22, maybe that will help some.

I feel fairly positive overall if a bit overwhelmed. He's shifted positions again though, is now head down but sideways - really he's been in every position possible, god knows where he will end up!!

Hope you're all well, sorry to be a bit moany

Brightonbleach don't worry about being moany (although I don't think you were!!), its good to vent sometimes and the uncertainty gets to you.

I had an appointment today with the diabetes consultant and don't really feel massively better informed than I was before!

The nurses took my height and weight (it turns out I am shorter than I thought I was!), lots finger pricking blood and normal blood taking type blood, then sent me to the podiatrist who said my feet were fine - a visit to him took me by suprise cos the link between your feet and diabetes hadn't entered my head.

Anyway I saw the consultant and he seemed happy with my levels, with the exception of an 8.1 and 8.7 before bed a couple of times last week, but that wasn't too long after dinner so not too bad. My glucose when they took it was 7.0 and the average thing (can't remember the name of it) was 5.2 so that doesn't seem too bad.

Apparently I had Ketones in my urine which worried me a bit but they don't seem bothered, and it was FMU so apparently because I hadn't eaten before I produced the sample that might explain it.

I've to go back in 2 weeks. Does that sound about right do you think?

Hope you are all having a good day, x.

Congratulations MrsKitty!! So glad it all went to pefectly for you.

I just came across my blood sugar/insulin diary from my last pregnancy and thought it might interest some of you to know my doses a week before having DD. I was on 118 with breakfast, 70 with lunch, 90 with evening meal and 118 of slow-release insulin at bedtime - and these doses were based on my testing at 90 mins (not an hour as they recommend now - would have been much higher if I'd had to test at an hour). I know most of you won't go anywhere near that high as with GD you won't be as insulin resistant as I was with type 2, but my DD turned out perfectly healthy, with the exception of some low blood sugars in her first 48 hours so I'm sure you'll all do just fine.

I have my first scan a week on Monday when I have my next diabetic clinic. Am 9+2 today but am feeling really odd movements - not like the tiny first flutterings but like a small animal doing somersaults in my belly. Really need this scan now!

Thanks BB - pregnancy can be tough anyway so having GD or PE or any other complications can be overwhelming, I don't like to moan cos babies health is most important but sometimes it's hard huh?!

Sounds like they were really hard on you yesterday, from what I have read you are very good with food and controlling your levels and have been doing it for such a long time

6lb 1, doesn't sound too bad compared to my 5lb 9 at 30 weeks lol! Had the growth rate slowed down any over the weeks?

Def keep an eye on kicks, when they sent me in for assessment on Sunday it was because baby had been quieter for 24 hours and they said with diabetic mums they are more careful and more strict???

Exciting that you have an induction date though but I am surprised they are leaving you so late? They must be happy with everything

Laura - 2 weeks for a follow up sounds fine as your levels seem ok and nothing too shocking, if things start to get out of control then i'm sure they will see you more regularly.

Forcessweetheart - just wanted to wish you good luck for your scan on Monday x

I'm off to diabetes clinic again tomorrow, will be seeing midwife, and consultants/consultants about GD and about PE symptoms plus a scan, thankfully my husband can come with me tomorrow as the last 2 times I have gone by myself and things haven't gone to well and I end up in tears and overwhelmed! Wish me luck xx

hi all having a good morning, hope you're all as well as can be.

Laura Hi! cheers for that. yes, I know what you mean, some appointments just confuse me more than I was before! my appointments are fortnightly so that sounds about right. I haven't been sent to see a podiatrist though - I know that diabetes can affect one's extremities (something about blood flow?) but I thought that was more in long-term diabetics? as its over time, especially in patients who have poor level control, that they worry about their feet I think... 8.1 & 8.7 don't sound too bad at all, when I was first diagnosed I was getting 17 and 19 readings in the first couple of weeks eek. I still get the odd 8 or 9, don't think that we are able to be perfect with pregnancy hormones in the mix...

Forces hi there, hows you? Wow, are those unusually high doses? at least your LO was well, you must have managed to stay healthy its hard work isn't it! good luck with the scan, I hear you can feel a 2nd baby sooner...

MrsR Hiya! cheers matey, appreciate the support yeah, sometimes its hard to keep smiling through isn't it? when I've had a really bad hypo I will just sit down and mope for an hour or 2 I can tell you! mostly I'm ok though, I feel pretty healthy most of the time, I'm still walking alot (am about to walk 30mins into town!) & the diet is good as I no longer get indigestion as well. growth: no, if anything he's speeded up maybe its just a growth spurt?? I had 3 weeks between scans previous to this one this week, and he went from 4 to 4.8 in those 3 weeks and then from 4.8 to 6.1 in this last 2 weeks!! on top of that his tummy has zoomed to the top of the measreuments as well, measuring 1mm more than the head, eek. well, just have to hope it levels off at the next visit, a week monday... I'm hoping that 6.1 at 35 weeks isn't too bad overall when I look back at the whole thing, it just feels like I have to be stricter somehow these next few weeks... okay, will take the recording of kicks seriously then - no worries so far as he kicked me constantly well into the night last night yeah, I was surprised at the induction date being quite late for a diabetic (and maybe slightly selfishly disappointed?!?!) but they did say its cos generally they're very pleased with my progress so that must be a good thing... let us know how your scan goes today - am glad your DH is going, mine is coming to the next one, it will probably help you feel stronger! also, you could tell him any questions you want answering in case you forget them, then he can ask if you look overwhelmed...

have a nice day y'all

My turn for a bit of a moan if that's ok, although it is a bit off topic.

I have an horrendous toothache and have had it since last night. I have made a dentist appointment for tomorrow and have phoned the doctors to find out how much paracetamol I can take, although I have been waiting for them to phone me back since 9.30am!!

I have used some Corsodyl mouthwash and possibly feeling a little better, but I have noticed my levels are a little higher than they would normally be although I've eaten much the same food.

Can being under the weather/a bit stressed about the toothache cause your levels to be higher than normal?

Hope you are all having a good day.

Laura probably! I imagine stress makes our bodies work harder/stranger so could affect our levels? on toothache, try gargling with warm salt water several times a day...as to paracetemol it will be whatever the dose is on the packet as paracetemol is fine for pregnant ladies to take as far as I know, the only painkiller allowed.

Morning All, hope you are well.

I tried scrambled eggs and a rasher of bacon with a cup of decaf earl grey tea and milk this morning and my reading was 5.5 2 hours after so that was good. Only problem is it was a little bit bland and I can't say the thought of having it again fills me with joy!! Oh well can't win em all.

How are you all today?

L, x.

hey Laura I know what you mean, the breakfasts that give me good levels are often quite bland, and either way I don't like having the exact same thing every day so finding a variety of things that are 'good' is diffuclt!! hows your tooth now? I have a tooth that was about to be taken out the week I found out I was preggers, so of course they have had to put it off until not pregnant as they need to do it under general anaesthetic grrr - its fractured right through the middle and they can't save it, it flares up in agony about once a week & i haven't been able to chew on the left side for 10 months now

MrsR How was your appointment?

MrsK Don't know if you looking at thread at the mo am sure you're v v busy!! but just in case - hows your LO? hope all wonderful. I was wondering as well (don't have to answer if private!) when you said your waters were leaking, or you suspected they were, how obvious was it/how did you know for sure? am wondering about things to watch out for... and hoping to 'go' spontaneously as well rather than tthe induction thats booked on 27th...

I'm fine today, baby has kicked me really strongly from midnight to 3am the last 2 nights so a bit tired!

BB they cancelled my appointment due to a power cut! I know they can't help it but now I have to phone tomorrow morning to see when they can fit me in and will probably have to take more time off work.

I waited til today so I could go after antenatal (which I had to bunk off the physio therapy part of as it was) rather than take more time off but hey looks like I will have to after all.

My tooth isn't anything like as bad as yours sounds though, you poor thing!

Hope you are all having a good day.

Morning Ladies, hope you are all well.

Another question if that's ok. Raspberry leaf tea, are we allowed to have it and how much should we have?

Thanks again

L, x.

hey Laura raspberry leaf tea, I THINK, is safe to drink (or take the capsules) from 34 weeks on, I'm taking the capsules, 3-4 a day (it says take up to 6 a day on bottle).

we have our NCT classes starting Sunday, looking forward to that!

BB That sounds exciting, what do they involve? They don't have then up here I don't think - just the normal NHS ones.

How far on are you again?

hey Laura have a look at the NCT website, they should have they everywhere now... I don;t have the link handy sorry. we have 3 days this coming week, theres only 6 couples in the class, all first-timers & all from my area so that should be good; 1st day is all about birth, 2nd days is breastfeeding & 3rd day is ante-natal and general I think.

I'm 35+6 I think today! nearly there...........woohoo

Very nearly there, how exciting!! Bet you are looking forward to it!!

Hi guys

Just a quick note to say what I thought I was having on Tues were not Braxton Hicks but I was in labour! I gave birth to baby Isaac at 5.27pm on Weds. He was 5 weeks and 1 day premature so is having a little difficulty feeding so being kept in SCBU till that's sorted. Other than that he's healthy and totally gorgeous. Will sort out a pic soon. Good luck to you all!

congratulations lemontop!!! Hope he's all sorted and home with you very soon. x

Wow Lemontop Congratulations - hope Issac is OK and home with you soon!

Brighton - re: waters leaking. when I had DS I got out of bed and there was a pop and a huge gush of water which no amount of pelvic floor squeezing could have stopped or slowed down - then more when i tried to move so was pretty obvious that time... this time around I'd been sat on the floor playing with DS and pulled myself up on to my knees and has a rush of fluid - this time I wasn't sure if it were waters or really rubbish bladder control, however an hour later I went upstairs for a wee and then onmy way back down the stairs I had another small gush - knew it wasn't my bladder that time as I'd only just been! I also put a maternity pad on in between the two incidents to monitor colour/amount of fluid. From what I understand it's unusual for waters breaking to be the first sign of active labour but it's happened to me twice. Both times a few days after a show though (which is relatively obvious to spot)

Eliza is doing OK. She's lovely. Having a few feeding probs at the moment with latch/sore nipple/severe engorgement but we're working on it and hope to have it sorted soon! Had a bit of a misguided confidence re; feeding in hospital as done it before but things gone a bit pear shaped over last few days. Hardly spent any time with DS since she was born which I feel bad about but know we'll be fine once feeding is sorted.

Congratulations Lemontop!, x.

wowee Lemontop congrats!! and:welcome Isaac how wonderful... How are you feeling? It must have been such a shock! did it all go relatively smoothly for you? heartfelt best wishes to you xx

thanks for sharing MrsK - i feel a bit like we're jumping off a cliff (melodramatic I know!) at the mo as we don't know what to look out for... have NCT classes stsrting tomorrow so sure that will help as well. Hope you're feeding issues settle down, sure they will, glad you're well

Hi all,

Firstly, huge congratulations lemontop, must have been a big surprise for you to be so early, glad everything is looking ok though, do you mind me asking how big Isaac was? Hope the birth went ok.

Sorry not been around again since my appointment wed, been in a bit of a panic mode

The appointment was a little scary, my baby weighs approx 7lb 2oz at 32+4 and even my consultant looked shocked and said it was the biggest baby he had seen at this point - tactful! I find him really unapproachable and came away with no answers to anything and no clue as to what to expect over the next few weeks i.e how early they would induce to give me a chance of natural delivery or by the time they would be happy for baby to come early will baby more than likely be too big and I will need a c-section? I know there are no definative answers at this point but some guidance or even a 'talk' about it would be helpful. He explained that big babies can have a bit of trouble in the uterus sometimes and there is an increased risk of stillbirth because of this so it is crucial that I feel lots of movement and the mw scanning me mentioned the shoulder problem AGAIN and explained baby can get stuck and either me or baby could incur birth injuries - they have seriously scared the life out of me and I spent the rest of the day in tears and every day since worried sick.

Trying to stay calm and positive for the sake of the baby but feeling a serious lack of support. The consultant has said he needs to see me every week and I will have an ecg this week and a scan the following week, i'm hoping I will feel more confident to ask q's this week but i'm quite hormonal and emotional at the moment.

My bs levels were still not in target so they passed control over to me to 'up' it every few days if I need to, have had a couple of lower ones, 3.1 and 3.3 etc which i think is when i miss a snack, just finding my feet still I think so must remember snack am and snack pm!

Sorry about the moan

Do hope everyone else is ok and BB glad you are feeling those kicks

xxxx

MrsR that does sound stressful. Its a bit rubbish when they throw all this information at you then don't give you a chance to absorb it. At least they are keeping a eye on you now so will be able to monitor how things are going.

Easier said than done I know but chin up! Don't worry about moaning, I'm sure the other ladies will agree that's what we're here for and we all take our turn!

I have consultant tomorrow so we'll see what she says then. They are talking about transferring me to a different consultant who tends to be the one who deals with people with diabetes so we'll see.

Off to Glagow today to try and get fitted for bras at Bravissimo cos I don't want to leave it much longer. Can't really be bothered but hey, hopefully won't get caught up in the football traffic too much!!

Also have some Alpen no added sugar for breakfast this morning and my level 2 hours after was 6.5 so that is good.

Hope everyone is ok, have a good day.

L, x.

hi everyone

hey MrsR gosh, that sounds like a sh*tty appointment! don't forget, the weights they give us can't actually be exact, and sometimes the baby has swallowed fluid and tummies seem bigger, and anyway he/she might slow right down now & you end up with a baby under 9lbs which would be totally average! and anyways, big babies are delivered safely all the time as well. They really shouldn't be scaring you quite so much, they should be helping! I'm really annoyed at this. I feel like the consultations should have positives to them as well, its seems the norm for them to be doom and gloom these days.
you will be feeling weird as well from your levels - 'high' I feel like I'm crawling out of my skin, agitated, irritable, tearful, panicky, that kind of thing; 'low' I tend to feel shaky, faint, lightheaded, dopey etc, neither high nor low leaves you feeling much able to cope with all this as well especially in combination with pregnancy hormones, so I hope you can level out this week...

thanks, yeah, am feeling loads of kicks so thats good! I've got one of those 'angel' doppler thingys as well so I can always stick on the headphones and hear his heart galloping away which is always reassuring!

My NCT classes have been changed to next weekend now as the teacher is ill - hope I don't go into labour early now as I was hoping the class will be helpful!! (actually, am very jealous of Lemontop going early, these last few weeks of pregnancy are quite heavy-going aren't they... aren't I selfish!!!??!! ho hum)

I had baked beans on 1 toast this morning, gave me a reading of 5.3 (with a small injection) so that was ideal - pity I don't actually LIKE beans on toast siiiigh

Thanks for understanding ladies

Laura, well done you, braving shopping, I need some new nursing bras as I seem to have had a growth spurt but can't manage shopping as babies head is so low on my bladder I can't walk far before it really aches and I feel like I need a wee all the time, plus I have a trapped nerve, fun huh lol!
Glad to hear the breakfast reading was good, fab news!

BB Thanks for the support, it does very much feel like doom and gloom at my appointments, maybe it's because I am hormonal but it feels a bit like they look down on you like your a nuisance or it's your fault. I remember when they first diagnosed GD the diabetes consultant (an oldish man) said that I really need to do something about my weight, not helpful when you pregnant!!! The mw's and nurses are fab though but they don't make any of the decisions

Thanks for sharing how you feel with highs and lows, I hadn't even considered how they might make me feel. Have upped my insulin to 30 twice a day and yesterday and today have had much more respectable results, not quite perfect but an improvement, I split my breakfast now and have half before my reading and the other half after which helps keep the levels more stable (still getting a 9-10 reading but better than 11-13) and I have a yogurt after readings so that splits out my lunch/dinner with my "pudding" lol by at least an hour, so it seems grazing is the way to go for me. At first I thought that was just cheating the numbers when they told me to try it but then they explained it just meant it spread the food out and I would get less big drops/increases.

LOL, jealous of lemontop, I have to say me too, and I keep thinking that's just selfish as I am too early and I want baby to be safe but I can't help it, it's all the worry.

xxx

morning ladies one and all!

Laura hows your appointment gone today?

MrsR how you feeling today?

I feel terrible, have had nightmare diorrhea (sorry if TMI!!) since last night and contiuing this morning; now feel sick and crampy like period pain GULP, also woke with burning sensations in both hips, lower back aching like hell and to top that off the bump is achy as hell and I am walking like John Wayne yee-haw...! if this is just a bug its a hell of a time to get one! hopefully "this too shall pass" & I'll feel better later. DH is off to get me some lucozade and paracetemol, is worrying about me getting dehdryated. my levels are fine so far today, baby is nice and active, very wriggly last night & squirming this morning.