GD support thread

[silver lady]

I am in the uk and just found out in the last few days that I have GD. I had my GTT on Monday and was told on Thursday that my result was borderline at 8.5 so they will be treating me as a diabetic.

I am 34 and this is my 5th baby. I have a BMI of 43, have been taking iron supplements as my iron is also on the low side and taking asprin to reduce the risk of clots.

I feel like such a failure as everything seems to be going wrong. I tried asking the nurse questions yesterday but she didnt want to answer them because "she didnt want to confuse me". More like she didnt know!!

PS Does anyone have any links to diet/menu plans? I dont see a dietician until next tuesday and I am really struggling on what to eat. I also need to have something 'sweet' after my evening meal. Anything that we can have? Thanks x
I am worried that I will be made to lie on a bed all the way through my labour which I know will make it much harder. This is my last baby and I wanted to be able to enjoy my pregnancy. After losing my baby last christmas I just feel so dissapointed. I wanted to end my childbearing years with something possitive but instead I have been made to feel like an obese freak.

Apologies for the late reply, I felt the same as you when i found out and believe me worrying does not help!

Obviously start to cut all sugars even hidden sugars in sauces etc.

The other big thing to watch is your carbohydrate intake, do not cut carbohydrates completely. The best carbohydrates to have are the slow burning ones check out Low GI Foods!

I was told to avoid certain types of bread Seeded and Rye is best! Try and avoid White, brown and wholemeal as even though the later two are said to be healthy they are all as equally refined!

Keep your quantity down on carbs to the size of your fist!

Pasta all types i was told are fine but the same watch quantity and also cook until just done, don't over cook!

Rice i was told quick cook and basmati are best and remember quantity and also cook until just done, don't over cook!

Potatoes Sweet ones are best! (i love them more) but go small on jackets, new potatoes i have no more than 3! Chips only very few!

Fruit - The fresher the better and to eat it as it is as it takes longer to break down in your system! Try and cut juices and stewed fruit.

Vegetables - apart from potatoes eat as many as you like!

Ready meals/Jars - Check sugar/carbohydrate content (I would try and steer clear if can)

As for desserts i treat myself to Tescos no added sugar Delight (tescos version of angel delight as i don't think angel delight do no added sugar) and sugar free jelly are good other than that i have fruit sometimes frozen mixed fruit with a small amount of cream or low fat version of cream (strawberries and low fat cream?)!

My husband treated me to a box of thorntons diabetic chocolate yesterday although i only had a bit and will do every now and again! They tasted no different!

Diabetic foods i have been told are a no no! due to them being expensive and messing with your gut!

What you do have to bare in mind, that i found very frustrating, is that sometimes GD can not be controlled by diet alone, although diet helps and keeps it controlled whether you have to take medication or not, sometimes you may need to take medication like metformin (if you can tolerate it, i couldn't) and/or insulin (i take both). Always check your glucose levels! But also if you haven't been told already, expect these to rise as your pregnancy progresses (also very frustrating).

Most of all try to relax and don't stress too much or get upset (this also doesn't help with glucose levels, but it took me a week or 2 to get my head around everything!) You will be under the very best of care! Its only for a few weeks so try and do everything right!

Exercise does help even if its just walking more!

I was tested because of recurrent infections and diabetic tests in the past not to do with BMI, not all people who have it are over weight, skinny people get it too! Robbie Williams wife had it. Try not to beat yourself up! YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!!!

You may have to be induced as they will not let you go full term i.e. 40 weeks.

Can i ask what was the weight of your previous babies?

I haven't been told how labour will go but i know they may monitor your glucose levels every hour! A c-section may happen!

Keep a note of what you eat in between now and tuesday it will give them an idea of how to treat it!

Sorry if this has been long but i know how you feel and only wish i had been told this!

Now you are under care of the hospital you may decide to to see your usual midwife. They will give you the up most care and should provide you with contact numbers you can ring if you are concerned about anything!

The main complication is that baby would get too big. Now that you are under care that shouldn't happen, providing you follow everything to plan.

I hope i haven't worried you in anyway

Please also understand this is only a guideline and every case may be different.

PM me with any question you like (we can go through it together) i'm 32 and this is not hopefully going to be my last baby (i want 2 if i can)!

 

[bluecathy1978]

Thanks for your reply. I have appointments galore on Tuesday starting with a growth scan (which was booked anyway before my GD was diagnosed). I then have appointments to see my obstetric consultant, another dr and also the specilaist diabetic midwife.

Been in a right mess tonight as I have only one test strip left as the ones they prescribed to me at the pahrmacy are for a different monitor. Got to try and sort that tomorrow.

I have been keeping a diary of what I have been eating but to be honest with you I really don't think it is my normal diet that has caused this. I tested an hour after having my evening meal and my BSL was 5.3 which I think is good. We have homemad cottage pie and carrots and brocolli. I didnt have any desert as my sugar free jelly wasnt set

As for the sizes of my previous babies;
#1 - 10lb 15oz delivered after being induced, normal delivery,
#2 - 8lb 7oz delivered spontaneously, normal delivery,
#3 - 4lb 11oz delivered by emergency c section after failed induction at 38 weeks due to high BP (suspected pre eclampsia)
#4 - 8lb 10 oz delivered spontaneously by VBAC two days before my due date, normal dleivery with an easy hassle free pregnancy.

I think I have covered most scenarios pregnancy wise

 

[minties]

Hello ladies, I'm going to browse through the thread shortly, but I've just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes at the grand ol' length of 35 weeks. I knew it anyway, I had a growth scan last week on Monday and baby had a very large stomach and head. She is hovering around the 86th percentile.

I failed the 1 hour and 2 hour test. On the 2 hour my fasting was 4.7 and 10.1 at the 2 hour point (had to be less than 9 to pass).

I didn't have it with my son and he was 3.3kg - about 7lbs 4oz - at 6 days overdue.

I am not sure what happens now...I called my midwife to chase up the results to begin with, and she said she'll refer me to the diabetes team at the hospital. So now I have to see her, a consultant at the hospital and the diabetes team. Grr!

Will I be sectioned early? I had an emergency section with my son. I'm freaking out about trying to deliver a huge baby (she was already estimated at 6lbs a week ago).

 

[silver lady]

Thanks for your reply. I have appointments galore on Tuesday starting with a growth scan (which was booked anyway before my GD was diagnosed). I then have appointments to see my obstetric consultant, another dr and also the specilaist diabetic midwife.

Been in a right mess tonight as I have only one test strip left as the ones they prescribed to me at the pahrmacy are for a different monitor. Got to try and sort that tomorrow.

I have been keeping a diary of what I have been eating but to be honest with you I really don't think it is my normal diet that has caused this. I tested an hour after having my evening meal and my BSL was 5.3 which I think is good. We have homemad cottage pie and carrots and brocolli. I didnt have any desert as my sugar free jelly wasnt set

As for the sizes of my previous babies;
#1 - 10lb 15oz delivered after being induced, normal delivery,
#2 - 8lb 7oz delivered spontaneously, normal delivery,
#3 - 4lb 11oz delivered by emergency c section after failed induction at 38 weeks due to high BP (suspected pre eclampsia)
#4 - 8lb 10 oz delivered spontaneously by VBAC two days before my due date, normal dleivery with an easy hassle free pregnancy.

I think I have covered most scenarios pregnancy wise

Nobodies diet causes this, it is hormones that your placenta produces. I gave you info about diet because you asked for information and if you can control the diabetes by food and making small changes, that is brilliant and it may well be that you can from what you say about your readings as they appear well within normal range! I had a really healthy diet before i got GD and i wasn't tested due to BMI. But when you see the dietician they still may ask you to make small changes i.e. quantity and other things you may not know about. It may be that you are borderline and you don't have it! If i got the reading after a meal that you got without taking medication i would be over the moon! x

 

[bluecathy1978]

Thanks Looking forward to my appointments tomorrow so I can feel a bit more possitive and I also have a growth scan so get to see my girl xx

 

[silver lady]

Hello ladies, I'm going to browse through the thread shortly, but I've just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes at the grand ol' length of 35 weeks. I knew it anyway, I had a growth scan last week on Monday and baby had a very large stomach and head. She is hovering around the 86th percentile.

I failed the 1 hour and 2 hour test. On the 2 hour my fasting was 4.7 and 10.1 at the 2 hour point (had to be less than 9 to pass).

I didn't have it with my son and he was 3.3kg - about 7lbs 4oz - at 6 days overdue.

I am not sure what happens now...I called my midwife to chase up the results to begin with, and she said she'll refer me to the diabetes team at the hospital. So now I have to see her, a consultant at the hospital and the diabetes team. Grr!

Will I be sectioned early? I had an emergency section with my son. I'm freaking out about trying to deliver a huge baby (she was already estimated at 6lbs a week ago).

Hi apologies for the late reply, they may induce you early probably from about 37 weeks but i don't know as they have little time to get it under control. You may have a section. They will monitor your glucose levels through out labour. I presume because they caught it at 35 weeks you will be seeing the diabetic team very frequently. Do not worry though this is the last thing you want to do. You are now under the best care, remember ANY queries you have about your pregnancy, give them a call, from the tiniest niggles to bigger things. Let us know how you get on x

 

[minties]

Thank you so much! It was lovely to get your reply.

I'm pretty sure I can't have an induction due to previous section, I'm not entirely sure though - my midwife seems very vague. I am seeing her tomorrow and hopefully she will have some answers. She always says "ask the consultant at the hospital" and doesn't seem keen to help me.

I will be 36+1 by the time I actually get to see the consultant, whom I don't even know, not sure if it's an OB or just a hospital midwife (my midwife is independent).

I feel like I have let myself down. I originally wanted a home VBAC, this is so far from that.

 

[silver lady]

Thank you so much! It was lovely to get your reply.

I'm pretty sure I can't have an induction due to previous section, I'm not entirely sure though - my midwife seems very vague. I am seeing her tomorrow and hopefully she will have some answers. She always says "ask the consultant at the hospital" and doesn't seem keen to help me.

I will be 36+1 by the time I actually get to see the consultant, whom I don't even know, not sure if it's an OB or just a hospital midwife (my midwife is independent).

I feel like I have let myself down. I originally wanted a home VBAC, this is so far from that.

You might be able to have a VBAC but i think at home is a no no as they have to monitor your glucose levels and may have you on an insulin drip! x

 

[minties]

I'm too scared to try for a VBAC now though, the idea of this giant baby everyone's raving on about doesn't sound fun. I couldn't even birth a 7lb 4oz baby.

It's been suggested to me on a local messageboard that in my area, they tend to section at 37 weeks. That seems shocking to me based on a growth scan or 2. I was thinking 39 weeks?

 

[izzy29]

I was induced at 39 weeks with GD after a Caesarian. I was only allowed one pessary because of the previous section though, then the drip.

 

[silver lady]

I'm too scared to try for a VBAC now though, the idea of this giant baby everyone's raving on about doesn't sound fun. I couldn't even birth a 7lb 4oz baby.

It's been suggested to me on a local messageboard that in my area, they tend to section at 37 weeks. That seems shocking to me based on a growth scan or 2. I was thinking 39 weeks?

Then they may do a c-section. I had a scan at 29 weeks and the growth was 95 percentile but now at 32 weeks is predicted spot on! If they can get it under control for a little while it may not be as bad as you think! At the beginning of my GD i was predicted without meds that i would give birth to a 13 pounder but i am hoping now it will be more like 7 - 8 pounds. It depends on the growth on when they section you i thought mine was going to be 36 - 37 weeks but now they are talking like 39 - 40 weeks unless she comes before!

Let us know how you get on x

 

[minties]

Sorry to be a pain in the bum...I have another question. I was playing with the tester, and can get varying results within seconds. Do I record the highest one in my log? And so far my blood sugars are a bit lower 2 hours after eating, rather than before. I find that interesting.

 

[silver lady]

Sorry to be a pain in the bum...I have another question. I was playing with the tester, and can get varying results within seconds. Do I record the highest one in my log? And so far my blood sugars are a bit lower 2 hours after eating, rather than before. I find that interesting.

hmmm interesting... Are you taking anything with your meals yet (as in meds?)? Definitely worth mentioning about the lower bloods would love to know the outcome. Maybe its what your eating, is it very slow release???

When i get high glucose levels, before when i have reported it to the diabetic nurse she's told me to wash my hands give them a good rinse under water then test again and take that result. Sometimes its higher others lower but if you do that straight away then thats the result to take. When you hand your monitor over to then at check up they will decide on which ones to take anyway.

Don't be daft definitely not a pain in the bum

 

[minties]

It does seem odd. I wash and dry my hands thoroughly before every test, just thought the machine was fun to play with, so I tested 3 fingers at once (ouch!). I'm not on any medications. Excuse my lack of paragraphs, they aren't working on my phone. My fasting test was 5.1 this morning (has to be under 5) and after breakfast it was 5.3 (toast x2 with avocado and tomato). Yesterday I ate heaps, including pancakes with maple syrup and burgerking, 6 was the highest recording.

 

[minties]

My god this is confusing! Just thought I'd test after my morning snack as breakfast wasn't filling, so I ate a lot (4 x wholegrain rice thins with salad stuff on them). I was bummed to see a 6.8 (had to be under 6.5). So I stomp about a bit, call the diabetes nurse to ask if I'm still allowed lunch, she didn't reply. 20 minutes goes by, I wash my hands and test again. Now it's 5.8?

Can is vary that easily usually? I'm sure I'm doing something wrong.

 

[silver lady]

My god this is confusing! Just thought I'd test after my morning snack as breakfast wasn't filling, so I ate a lot (4 x wholegrain rice thins with salad stuff on them). I was bummed to see a 6.8 (had to be under 6.5). So I stomp about a bit, call the diabetes nurse to ask if I'm still allowed lunch, she didn't reply. 20 minutes goes by, I wash my hands and test again. Now it's 5.8?

Can is vary that easily usually? I'm sure I'm doing something wrong.

It can vary, I wish my levels were as good as yours my insulin goes up every week due to baby growing and levels going up. I wish i could control it with diet alone. Fact is, is that i eat really healthy too, so there were no adjustments on diet to make. x

 

[minties]

Mine only seem to be good if I eat half of what most people eat at a meal. I'm starving, I'm about ready to go on a massive binge eating spree.

 

[silver lady]

I still wish that was the case, my appetite is really next to nothing at the moment! If i eat a regular meal i either feel very sick or get indigestion. But i just don't fancy anything. All i can do is eat healthy to keep the nutrients going, which i am super conscious of. x

 

[AmeliePoulain]

It looks like I am back here again

I was diagnosed with GD very late in the day with my daughter (35+6) and in the 3 week of diet control I only got 2 high readings post meals when I was learning what I could and couldnt eat and I never got a high fasting or pre meal reading.

I was sort of hoping given my daughter was 6lb 7oz at birth (39+3) and there was no issue with my fluid levels, her sugars didnt crash and the placenta was perfect that maybe it was all a big mistake....

Anyway....paranoid this time that I would end up with undetected GD I have been monitoring properly since 16 weeks and everything was fine until a week or so ago when my fasting sugars overnight and pre meals started going a bit crazy - and really different to my non pregnancy monitoring that I have done.

I am not really gaining weight because I am having to work so hard to keep things in check and I have decided to call my MW and ask to be referred to the diabetic team at the hospital now.

Is 20ish weeks early for second time around for GD to kick in?

Also has anyone else experienced this issue that their sugars were only high post meals with their first pregnancy and then for it to be fasting sugars too second time around?

I just feel sad and deflated about it all - I am 26, weighed 8 stone 7lb when I conceived and no one in my family has diabetes. At least last time I could be strict and control it with diet, no matter how hard I am trying I can't do anything about these fasting numbers

 

[daisyfflur]

Hi, I had gd, diagnosed at 16 weeks, on metformin and insulin for weeeeeeks. C-section booked for last Tuesday and baby Barney arrived at 16:28 on the 9th October weighing in at a tiny 6lbs 3oz so not even the weight predicted at the 32 weeks growth scan. So small that none of his clothes fitted and an emergency dash to Mothercare was needed. I had a hypo the evening he was born (3.1) and a random test in the evening (10.2). Had another test in the ambulance on Monday (c-section scar burst but that's another story) and it was 8.9 which they said was within limits, I can't find any info to back that up. I had a hypo yesterday and this morning. I suspect that I'm not going to be free from diabetes anytime soon Any one else going through this?