just been told I have pregnancy diabetes with a blood suger of 8.6 What are the implications

[BumptiousandBustly]

I have just been told that I have been diagnosed with pregnancy diabetes with a blood suger of 8.6 from a GTT.

Does anyone know how serious this is? Is that a really high blood suger? What are the implications for delivery as well?

I was induced last time and it was horrific so this time I was really really hoping to go into labour naturally. Is that likely? It has been suggested I might not be allowed to go past 38 weeks.

if it's like 'normal' levels (but not sure if it is or not, mum who's a diabetic says anything thats over 5 is slightly high but not overly to worry too much. over 10 is serious so she tells me.

I think they monitor it carefully.

That's not too high. When I was being monitored (loooong story!) I was told not to go over 7. Others have said 7.8 or 8. My dad is diabetic and his has been in the 20s before now.

Have they spoken to you about managing it? You should be able to control it with diet and if that doesn't work then they might put you onto insulin. I was told I had GD at 38.5 weeks (GTT at 28 weeks was fine) so I was monitored for 10 days and induced as they wouldn't let me go past 40 weeks.

You might be offered a sizing scan to get an idea of the baby's size and decisions will be made based on that. Sorry, my info is a bit haphazard, not sure what you've already been told.

it's not hideously high. Have you been refered to diabetes specialist? or dietitian?

you are quite likely to be advised to be induced at around 38 weeks because of the risk of growing a very big baby. They'll also want to keep an eye on the baby's blood sugars after birth too.

I only had the GTT yesterday and phoned the antenatal unit for the result so haven't actually seen anyone yet.

The woman I spoke to (who is the woman who answers the phone there, not a medical proffesional), said that I would be referred straight away to a diabetes clinic and that my pregnancy probably wouldn't be allowed to go past 38 weeks but that is all I have and non of that is "official"!

I had gestational diabetes last pregnancy and my blood sugars varied up to 10 ish - but I managed the condition fine by just watching my diet and testing regularly. The only downside is really restricting the sweet stuff. I just cut it out completely (but let rip once breast feeding!!)and felt much better for it. Any slip ups made me feel very unwell so it wasn't worth it.
I was induced at 40 weeks because baby was measuring large - he was 9 lbs.
You should be seen by a dietician and have it all explained to you. As long as you can manage it through diet you'll be fine. If not you may need insulin. All cases are different. Good luck.

I have gestational diabetes and have been managing it through diet since the beginning of October. My blood sugar was 8.8 after the GTT and I was told it wasn't too bad. As I've managed it through diet and the baby isn't measuring large at this point I am able to go to 40 +10. Am currently 40+4 and hoping it doesn't come down to an induction! I also had a friend that had GD and had to go onto insulin. She was told by her Hospital that she wouldn't be allowed to go past 38 weeks. In short, it seems to depend on the protocol of your local health authority, the size of the baby and whether you can manage the GD through diet or have to go on insulin.

In terms of managing it, personally I've had weeks where it has been difficult to manage and weeks where I've found it fairly painless. On the positive side, I don't think I've put on much weight during my pregnancy which is great although I intend to give myself a little slack once this little blighter arrives and have various cakes lined up for my OH to bring to the hospital.

Other thing to mention is that hospitals tend to keep you in longer after the birth than other 'normal' deliveries as they want to be sure that the babies blood sugar is stable after birth. Usually this is about 48 hours provided all is well with baby.