Support and help with Gestational Diabetes?

[Crapweasel]

Failed the "Lucozade test" last week, I've now been told that my GTT has also come back high and have therefore been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes.

Having failed the Lucozade test but passed GTT during my last pregancy I was really hoping to dodge that particular bullet again. Oh well....

Did some searching in the archives and found this fab old thread with lots of support and tips on diet etc. Any current sufferers (or experienced old timers) fancy joining a similar thread for 2010?

I have a diabetic clinic appt on Tues (where I understand I'll get a finger prick testing kit and see a dietician) so I'll report back then.

I'm 29 weeks by the way.

Bugger all happening.

Was at the hospital this morning for monitoring - vague as ever. No faith at all that the baby will come this weekend so I'm resigned to my induction fate. I'm insisting DH takes me somewhere nice for dinner on Sunday night!

Ruby sorry to hear that, it sounded so promising earlier in the week.

I was at the hospital too today having another scan with a consultant as my growth scan at 28 weeks had shown a build up of fluid on the baby's brain, fortunately the consultant couldn't spot any other abnormalities so has said unless it gets worse it's unlikely to be a problem. That was a huge relief as the last couple of weeks have been pretty hellish, hard not to assume the worst when you hear of issues with the brain.

The consultant did spot though that the growth scan two weeks ago was wrong and the baby is in fact small for dates (I'm not really surprised as I didn't believe I could have a full size one in there). I have to have even more scans to check the growth and the fluid on the brain situation and they are going to give me steroid injections to help the baby's lungs develop in case it comes early/they need to get it out early. Unfortunately my GD is going to mean a couple of days in hospital while they give me the steroids as apparently it plays havoc with blood sugars so I may need to go on an insulin drip, but either way will need close monitoring.

All in all been quite a day, I'm relieved that the brain abnormality doesn't look to be anything worth worrying about at this stage and after the worry of the last couple of weeks that's a big relief.

Watches clock bounces on ball resigns self to 11am induction appointment

Wish me luck ladies.

x

Good luck Ruby, really hope all goes well for you and Ruby junior.
xxx

Good Luck Ruby, thinking of you x sending lots of positive vibes

Good luck Ruby

Finally back on the metformin, didn't realise until the pharmacist told me that my dosage is still 1 tab twice a day so am going to ask the consultant to write a letter for me so the idiot gp pracrice can get it right.
Had a ridiculously low 3.5 before dinner yesterday, related to the heat maybe?

Thanks for the constipation tips. Will get some linseeds today

Good luck Ruby

im 28wks gone with baby no4, been diagnosed for the last 3 wks, never had diabeties before, and gutted xx good bye to all thats good, told to have a scan every 4 wks and clinic every 2 wks x to check the size, my sugars are up and down, so been put on insulin tablets, which give me bad stomach and the runs x not impressed x to keep my sugars under 7.7 i have to starve, and only have half portions of food, 3 meals a day and loads of watred down juice xx i feel like a pin cushion.
any ideas of what nice things you can eat, that wont tip your sugars

Whirleywoo sorry to hear that you're feeling down about your diagnosis, I think we all tend to feel pretty shocked at the beginning, but most of us have overall tended in the end to view it as a positive thing.

Try and have a look through the thread to get a good idea of what you should be eating (although it is pretty long now, so might take a while). It certainly doesn't have to mean an end to all that is good, but you might find that your treats have to change for a while. Fresh strawberries are my favourite at the moment. What sort of thing would you normally eat day to day? We might be able to suggest some alternatives... You certainly don't have to starve yourself either, although you should probably be looking to reduce the proportion of carbohydrate on your plate and fill up on other stuff instead.

I am diet controlled at the moment so don't know a huge amount about medication, but I think the tablets you're on must be metformin (insulin can't be taken orally iirc). I understand that metformin can play havoc with your digestive system at first, but tends to settle down quite quickly, within a fortnight, so if you're still having problems at your next appointment mention it then.

Finally, remember to post here and let us know how you're getting on, especially if you're feeling down about it. And if you're really feeling down about it, focus on how quickly you'll be back in your jeans afterwards!

Any news Ruby????

whirleywoo I was also diagnosed about 3 weeks ago, and the only way I could manage my sugars at first was to cut carbs. I was starving and losing weight and my endocrinologist told me off about this.

It's important you see a diabetes educator or dietician to go through what you should be eating. Mine has told me it it much better to be on insulin but be eating the correct amount for the growing baby, than to just eat enough to keep the sugars under control. I have to eat 6 times a day to be having enough calories without constantly tipping the levels over. It's a bit weird as I'm not a natural snacker.

I am going onto insulin on thursday as I can't keep all my readings below 7, even though I have been utterly strict on the diet and haven't cheated with one mouthful.

I can't lie, it is a bit of a pain, especially when I come in late and would normally have a bowl of pasta, beans on toast or a jacket potato, all of which sent me over, but you do get used to it.

I'm trying to see food as fuel for the baby only for the next few weeks and count my blessings that hopefully this will go away once I deliver and I can go back to eating a more relaxed diet.

Things I have found that work well as quick meals are omelette with a couple of potatoes and a salad, egg on toast, chilli with brown rice, spag bol with brown pasta, any stews/casseroles, steak and veg and potatoes and I make sure I bulk everything out with veg and pulses if possible.

For snacks I have yogurt with nuts and berries, hoummous on toast, slice of cheese on toast, cheese and vegemite on toast, fruit.

I am not overweight so I haven't cut back on higher fat things - so I eat nuts, hoummous, cheese etc as and when I fancy it.

I have also discovered a zero sugar chocolate which although not being as nice as a mars bar, does take away the sweet cravings - check in the "health" or diabetic section of the supermarket.

whirleywoo You sound just like me.

Your tum will settle down after a week or two on the tablets

Try and eat egularly, I found I wasn't snacking between brekkie and lunch and then was nearly having a hypo. Have a snack about 2 hours after brekkie, fresh berries, yogurt, oat cakes will keep your sugar low.

Drink loads of fresh water, weak juice is fine but don't go for fresh juice as your sugars will soar.

Get some exercise. I walk the dog after lunch and it helps keep my readings low before dinner.

Any good meat is good, steak, fish, chicken, not processed. It is all protein which will help you feel full and it should keep your sugar low. Cut down on the carb portions, have extra veg. Watermelon is a great snack when it is hot

Don't despair you only have to do this for a couple of months as the majority of women are fine after birth

Any news ruby?

Surprised to see a recommendation for watermelon on here - it is one of the highest GI fruits afaik!

Also surprised by how much yogurt many of you are eating - even a tiny pot of petit filou has 3 teaspoons of sugar in it, so I dread to think how much is in a normal pot. Or do you all have some special type of yogurt that you eat?

Hope that the induction has gone ok and that you have your baby by now Ruby.

I am 2 days overdue now, but have been given 'permission' to go 10 days over before they start worrying about inducing me (I told them that I didn't want to be this time). So far I have had 1 sweep, reflexology and acupuncture, and have another sweep booked for tomorrow morning. Hopefully the m/w tomorrow will be able to see some progression since Monday's sweep.

I eat plain yogurt or greek yogurt which doesn't have as much added sugar. Petit Filous are dire, all that fake taste.

Watermelon is high Gi but still really good for you and great in this heat. Me and DD get through about a quarter of one a week easily.

When did you find out how long they were willing to let you all go before induction?
I've got 10 weeks to go, have a growth scan in 2 weeks so hoping baby is behaving and they will let me go to full term.
Should I bring it up with them or wait for them to decide and just argue my case.

I eat Greek yoghurt which is only 5g of carbs per 100g so fine for me, it's quite an aquired taste when unsweetened, but I'm used to it now. I agree that petit filous type yoghurts would be a disaster for me, I can't even manage muller light type ones which I think are 11g of carbs per 100g.

Hi again.

Have been popping my head in here every so often to see how everyone is doing but without time to post. Hope everyone well. Ruby - Hope all has gone okay with you.

Finally have C-section tomorrow am. Have had lots of twinges over last few days (cue increasingly frantic phone calls to the g'parents who agreed to do our childcare but then decided to go away and turn off their mobile phones ) - but think mostly just pressure of the baby moving down. Did think it was developing into full-blown labour at one point and demolished half a pizza in readiness (def not advisable for me from GD perspective) then felt quite guilty afterwards: Funny, eating pizza never used to have that effect on me. Have been better behaved since and with supreme self-control have made and not yet touched(!) a mahousive batch of chocolate brownies in readiness for freedom (for visitors, midwives etc obviously ).

I definitely agree with others on here about how a GD diagnosis can have a positive impact on longer term eating habits. Prior to my diagnosis I regarded myself as quite a healthy eater, but I've still managed to make some really positive changes. Have stockpiled some microwave meals to take in for hospital stay + found myself buying those Innocent snackpots - even though by that point I could be justifiably guzzling pizza without the guilt.

Anyway, must go + check hospital bag for supplies of said brownies. Wish me luck!

Marmite x

I eat a plain yogurt which has very low sugar and have it with some berries and nuts. I have it as my mid afternoon snack (so on its own) and also often as my supper too. I think it would probably send me over if I had it with a meal.

Diet is going really well so far. I had a follow up appointment with my endocrinologist yesterday which was basically to put me on insulin, but when he saw how well my sugars have been kept down he has kept me off the insulin, with instructions to phone if they increase again.

I'm seeing my obstetrician next week so hopefully she will be able to confirm whether the baby is doing ok, and not too big or too small.

My weight has stabilised and I'm not putting any on, even though I am eating 6 times a day and it's all good, healthy stuff. A couple of people have even commented (unprompted...) that I am looking really well, so it's all good incentive to continue being strict.

Ozziegirl glad it's going so well.

Hopefully any newly diagnosed people reading this thread will be reassured by all these positive stories. I think the biggest thing I will take away post baby is keeping an eye on portion sizes for the carbs on my plate, I hadn't realised just how much rice, pasta etc. I had started to eat, but I have been having far less and haven't felt hungry. I think I will still measure my portions from time to time just to keep an eye on them.

Burmese Hold your baby upright under her arms, let her sort of dangle down and gently rock her side to side. Apparently it lengthens her stomach and makes wind easier to rise up and out.

Hi ladies!

Luke Douglas was born on Tuesday morning at 9.38 weighing 7lbs 14 oz. He's just perfect.

And what's more I have a positive induction story! We went in for our 11am appointment and I was absolutely petrified. The doctor was a tad brusque and I sort of melted down and wouldn't let anyone near me for 4 hours... Pathetic I know. The consultant came in and was just lovely - she understood why I didn't want the induction and said I could go home if I wanted and come back when I was ready. She did say that she thought it took a lot for me to get there so maybe that was something we should capitalise on. So I agreed to have the gel. We wandered about and watched football until the next gel was due at 9. The next dr did not have the other's lightness of touch! Ow! The midwife was tutting at her and giving me the gas and air at that point. The doc said that they could rupture the membranes at that point but I asked to be left till morning. More football and waiting - DH left at 11 and I hunkered down to get some sleep.

Woke at 4am with some pains but thought I was being silly so just groaned through it. The midwife told me not to use the gas and air until second stage but I had a few sneaky sucks whilst on my own! Couldn't take the pain by 6am and called DH to come in and pressed the "call midwife" button. I really thought I was being a brat as there were wailing women everwhere and I could only be a little way along.

DH came in with the Tens (loved it btw) and oils etc and the midwife suggested I have a bath for pain relief. That surprised me as the consultant was clear that I would have to be monitored from the outset. Cue much thrashing about in the bath - the midwife said I should think about an epidural but she wanted to check me over first as she thought I might be pretty advanced. She was so sweet and asked me if I was pushing, which I think I was. She told me that I was at 10cm so there was no time for the epidural. She said it would be cruel to leave me without pain relief as the contractions were so strong. I had some of that morphine stuff as well as the gas and air and Tens.

She ruptured the membranes at that point which was fine. I was sitting up but said I wanted to move so she suggested I stood up to deliver which was a great idea. Luke was born minutes later 5 hours or so after the first pain.

I had initially wanted a physiological third stage but didn't give a toss when it came to it so cord was cut and placenta delivered a few minutes later.

I only needed one stitch for a graze which shocked them as Luke was in such a hurry. I heartily recommend the perinium massage oil I brewed!!!

I had heard nothing but horror stories about induction and the hospital I delivered in but the whole thing was fine. I had a birth plan and rather than ignore it as "this was induction after all" thet did their utmost to follow it. I had a princessy request to be attended by female staff and they took thar very seriously indeed going as far to kick a male doctor out. I didn't give a damn and said so but the midwife said "you cared enough to put that in your plan so we'll continue to care about it".

They were surprised by how well it all went and they did say that it was the most natural induction possible. The midwives were all fantastic.

Recovery ward was great too - no hurry to leave and loads of help with feeding etc. Luke is a very keen feeder and he has lacerated me so we're expressing and cup feeding which is going well.

One thing that was odd was the food I was offered prior to delivery; baked potatoes, pasta, cakes etc. All foods that I had to avoid. The irony of admitting me to control my diabetes then offering me cake and custard was not lost on me! One lady came into the bathroom when I was thrashing about like a tuna and asked if I wanted breakfast - DH said I was very polite but that's not how I remember it!

Happy to be home and very happy not to be a diabetic anymore! Also happy to report that induction can be great too!

Hope you're all well!

x

Ruby, congratulations! I was starting to wonder a bit as it had been so long since you went in.

Luke is a gorgeous name. Glad the induction went so well, sounds like the labour went in much the same way as if you had started off yourself.

I cup fed DS initially as he was too small to suck properly and it worked well for us. Once he was able to feed direct he was still a bit too attached to the cup though, think it was easier, but there was no way I was going to keep expressing, so I started only offering him the cup with milk straight from the fridge, he soon decided he preferred it draught!

Ruby that sounded brilliant. Well done

My induction involved the drip and it was horriffic. I want what you had which sounds pretty much ideal. I was in for 3 days awaiting induction and the food choices were very carby and full of sugar. Comfort food which they probably feel you need.
How far were you again?

Getting really bad heartburn again, can you take gaviscon or is it too sugary?

Hi Debs.

I was just two days over my EDD so I could probably have gone another week or so without anything happening.

I was terrified of the drip and I am so relieved that I managed to avoid it. My midwife said that under no circumstances would she recommend ARM let alone trying the drip without serious pain relief. She kept saying it would be cruel and that spoke volumes to me. I really hope you have as much luck!

I had wretched heartburn and I did take Gaviscon but my pharmacist friend recommended drinking a milk drink instead - I made a lot of lassis; an Indian yoghurt drink mixed with milk and water. A lot nicer than it sounds! Worked for me. I'm not sure how Gaviscon rates on the sugar front.

Snuggling Luke right now - everyone keeps saying what beautiful fair hair he has; makes us laugh as he is blatantly ginger

Congratulations, that's wonderful news and a really inspiring birth story. If I could have an induction like that I would be happy!

Enjoy your new baby xxx