High blood sugar? What does this mean exactly?

[abbierhodes]

I'm nearly 18 weeks pg with number 3. I've just recieved a letter saying my blood sugar is higher than normal range, and I'm to go for a glucose tolerance test next week. I already have a problem with antibodies in my blood, and now I'm starting to get worried.

Couple of questions:
Has anyone experienced this?
Does it mean I have diabetes?
What are the risks?

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

it is possible that you have gestational diabetes, so they will do a glucose tolerance test to see if that is the case.

I don't know the risks off the top of my head, but you could google "gestational diabetes" to find out.

I believe that gestational diabetes frequently "goes away" once the baby has been born, but I do know of one case where it didn't.

here is one useful link for you

Thanks thumbwitch, that is really helpful. I'm starting to get a bit scared to be honest. With this and the antibodies, I'm getting a little panicky.

try not to worry to much if it is gestational diabetes......in most cases it's easily controlled through diet and will disappear after the birth.

what antibodies do you have, abbie? is it anti-D or something more exotic?

It's anti-e. Not exotic exactly! But there's not a lot of info available and that worries me. I'm a bit of a control freak, and I like to know precisely what's happening at all times!

ah, anti-e. not a generally huge problem, it's not one that I've ever seen problems with in pg (I worked in blood transfusion for 10 years). From what I remember it's relatively low on the danger list of antibodies (in comparison with D, K, c for e.g.) but still has the potential for problems of course. Still, the main thing is that the hospital KNOWS you have it and you have regular blood tests to check the level isn't changing. Do you know the father's full Rh type? (I'm assuming you are an R2R2, or possibly an r"r").

I think the reason there isn't a lot of info on it is precisely because it isn't often a problem - is this your 1st pg?

Sorry, just re-read op - of course it isn't your first! [doh]

Did you have any problems with the anti-e in your 2nd pg? Or was it all fine?

I had problems with my 2nd, yes. I had to be induced two weeks early, and stay in for monitoring, but there was only mild jaundice and he didn't need any treatment.

I have been told that I probably won't be able to go longer than 37 weeks this time...which isn't hugely early, I know. I'm just a little concerned about how the diabetes might affect things, now. What are the symptoms? I've been headachey and tired.
Would you know if that's linked?

I don't know what the codes and numbers mean, sorry.

no prob. I can work it out if you had probs with no. 2.

I don't know how the 2 might link up - you need to talk to your consultant.

good luck