Gestational diabetes test- frustrated!

[Bonnie11]

Hi girls!

I'm so annoyed and I just need to vent!!! Had my gd test yesterday due to being very borderline last pregnancy.

They called this morning and said I had failed my fasting.. cut off is 5.5 or under and I was 5.6. But my test after 2 hours of glucose was fine and I passed that.

I'm so sure I don't have it, I had the same thing last pregnancy, so borderline on the fasting and passed the glucose but they didn't give me an opportunity to repeat. I had my blood tests throughout the rest of pregnancy and I passed every single one, baby was a normal size, didn't have a single symptom and the doctor said to me afterwards he thought I had never had it. The problem is that I'm heading for a VBaC this time and it just complicates things even further if I'm diagnosed with it. I'm so frustrated and upset... I'm so sure I don't have it. Never had a single symptom either this time or last time. I know they are being cautious and I'm greatful but I don't want to be labelled with this and have my options of a VBaC limited even more than I do already. I just don't understand how I would have passed the glucose test with flying colours but been so on the edge with fasting.

ARGHHHH

 

[Talia12]

Can't you talk to them explaining everything about your last pregnancy and how you and your doctor are sure you never had it, and maybe repeat the test? I know the cut off point has to be somewhere but surely they can exercise discretion and say based on all the evidence it's pretty clear that you do not need to be diagnosed with GD?

 

[Bonnie11]

Thanks Talia. I did explain to the midwife what happened last time but she said it's not up to her to decide... have to speak to my consultant and they can change things if necc but my next appointment isn't for 5 weeks with her 😔. Have got an appointment with the diabetic nurse next week so am hoping to discuss some of the things next week but won't be anything birth related but am hoping at least she can get me retested!

Midwife did point out that even at the upper threshold (5.5) they would want to retest and anything over that is classed as positive. She said if I didn't have anything then my blood sugar should be below 5.3 after fasting... I'm not sure why mine was high when I honestly have never had a diabetic symptom in my life! I guess I just have to wait and see what the nurse says. Maybe I do have it and I'm just kidding myself! I just would expect to have more than one random blood test to be sure I have it

 

[Bonnie11]

Thanks Talia. I did explain to the midwife what happened last time but she said it's not up to her to decide... have to speak to my consultant and they can change things if necc but my next appointment isn't for 5 weeks with her 😔. Have got an appointment with the diabetic nurse next week so am hoping to discuss some of the things next week but won't be anything birth related but am hoping at least she can get me retested!

Midwife did point out that even at the upper threshold (5.5) they would want to retest and anything over that is classed as positive. She said if I didn't have anything then my blood sugar should be below 5.3 after fasting... I'm not sure why mine was high when I honestly have never had a diabetic symptom in my life! I guess I just have to wait and see what the nurse says. Maybe I do have it and I'm just kidding myself! I just would expect to have more than one random blood test to be sure I have it

 

[Reiko_ctu]

I'm sorry you're so frustrated and hope it doesn't put your vbac at risk.

One thing I would say, is that it's actually more serious if your fasting number is higher than your post numbers. It means your body is keeping a higher level of glucose in your blood and packing the pounds on your baby moreso than a lower fasting level. You are only 26 weeks and it will progress from there. If you are "sure" you don't have it (which, if you fail the test, you do, that's why the test is there) I would for sure repeat test in a few weeks and see if you're still borderline or if it's gotten worse.

As far as symptoms, I am a 105 lb healthy exercising woman who eats healthily and has no reason to think I would have GD, but I have gotten it twice.

How big was your last baby? If she was large there's definitely a chance you had undiagnosed GD in your third trimester.

If you can simply cut carbs to keep your sugars in range and don't need to go on insulin it shouldn't affect your vbac at all. I'm in the same position with a homebirth. If I go on insulin I cannot have a hb. But I've managed my 2 GD pregnancies with diet and exercise before and had 7 lb babies.

 

[Bonnie11]

I'm sorry you're so frustrated and hope it doesn't put your vbac at risk.

One thing I would say, is that it's actually more serious if your fasting number is higher than your post numbers. It means your body is keeping a higher level of glucose in your blood and packing the pounds on your baby moreso than a lower fasting level. You are only 26 weeks and it will progress from there. If you are "sure" you don't have it (which, if you fail the test, you do, that's why the test is there) I would for sure repeat test in a few weeks and see if you're still borderline or if it's gotten worse.

As far as symptoms, I am a 105 lb healthy exercising woman who eats healthily and has no reason to think I would have GD, but I have gotten it twice.

How big was your last baby? If she was large there's definitely a chance you had undiagnosed GD in your third trimester.

If you can simply cut carbs to keep your sugars in range and don't need to go on insulin it shouldn't affect your vbac at all. I'm in the same position with a homebirth. If I go on insulin I cannot have a hb. But I've managed my 2 GD pregnancies with diet and exercise before and had 7 lb babies.

Thank you so much for your reply Reiko! That was very helpful. That was what I wanted to know, why my fasting was over but I process sugar ok? I don't really understand why I failed one part and not the other but I'm sure at my appointment all will be explained. I know if I failed it I probably do have it but it's jut so hard for me to accept as it seems to be the same problem as last pregnancy. One of my tests was so borderline but my continued blood tests were all fine, never had a symptom and both my and her bloods were fine at birth and my hba1c never showed anything. To be fair I'm around 20lbs heavier than I was last pregnancy though!

I'm finding it hard because they tried to induce me at 38 weeks before because they were concerned about baby size and it ended up failing and having a c section and she was only 7lb7 so I was annoyed I didn't have the birth I wanted last time and I was hoping for it this time but it seems to be repeating itself. I'm on the back foot with a VBaC as I can't be induced so I guess it depends how the baby is at 38 weeks (which is when they want to whip it out) because it will definitely be a c section then unless I spontaneously go into labour before then. Am hoping my consultant will let me push it back to 40 weeks and give me a bit more of a chance for natural but I guess it depends how the pregnancy pans out. I'm worried about extra risk of miscarriage after 38 weeks which is what pushed me into induction last time.

If it ends up in a section then so be it I guess, most important thing is baby is healthy. I just feel sad that it's our last child and I wanted my ideal birth this time around.

Thanks again for your input!

 

[Reiko_ctu]

I find this induction because of GD thing so frustrating. If they had let you go naturally you had a better chance of not needing a c section for sure. If your testing is in normal ranges through third tri, whether you go in to get labs every few weeks or take your glucose levels at home, there really shouldn't be a greater need to induce vs any other mom. And those third tri ultrasounds that measure weight are really unreliable and inaccurate... Whatever happens whether you are GD or not just try and watch your carbs and don't let them induce you especially if your numbers are fine!

 

[Reiko_ctu]

Also something that helped me with my natural birth the second time around was called Mederi EZ birth. It's a herbal supplement thing that preps for labour and no one goes overdue when they take it lol!

 

[xdxxtx]

I'm not a doctor, and I'm only speaking from my own experience. Talk this through with your medical practitioner before attempting. Here's an idea for if you are able to get re-tested. You can do this the day of your test or for two days before you re-test. Assuming you'll only do this for one day: The morning before your test, have eggs or another protein (the size of one or two of your palms) cooked in a good amount of healthy fat (butter, avocado oil, or coconut oil - and the amount will be the size of your thumb) with non-starchy veggies (as much as you want) and two slices of whole wheat toast for breakfast. If you drink coffee or something, go ahead and have it with your breakfast. For lunch, a sweet potato or other healthy complex carb (a single serving) along with protein (1-2 palms) and non-starchy veggies (unlimited) cooked in a good amount of healthy fat (a thumb sized portion of fat). Any snacks will be veggies cooked in a thumb-sized portion of fat and/or 1 palm of protein or a piece of cheese. Nothing with added sugar, and no fruit. If you're hungry, EAT. Do not let yourself feel sick or get too hungry. And make sure you eat enough fat. Dinner is going to be protein (again, the size of one or two of your palms) and non-starchy veggies cooked in fat. Count your carbs and make sure you get at least 60 grams of net carbs - 2 slices of bread and a sweet potato WILL be enough - split between breakfast and lunch and a low-carb dinner. If your fasting blood sugar is still high, that's not good. If your bloods come in well, continue eat lower in carbs than usual (but above 60 net grams!) and continue eating lots of healthy fats to prevent GD. I eat this way throughout most of my pregnancies in order to stave off diabetes and high blood pressure because I am quiet overweight normally and have PCOS as well as hypothyroidism. It's similar to a Whole30 eating style which IS safe throughout pregnancy as well. If you're interested, also Google Whole30.

 

[WackyMumof2]

Hi girls!

I'm so annoyed and I just need to vent!!! Had my gd test yesterday due to being very borderline last pregnancy.

They called this morning and said I had failed my fasting.. cut off is 5.5 or under and I was 5.6. But my test after 2 hours of glucose was fine and I passed that.

I'm so sure I don't have it, I had the same thing last pregnancy, so borderline on the fasting and passed the glucose but they didn't give me an opportunity to repeat. I had my blood tests throughout the rest of pregnancy and I passed every single one, baby was a normal size, didn't have a single symptom and the doctor said to me afterwards he thought I had never had it. The problem is that I'm heading for a VBaC this time and it just complicates things even further if I'm diagnosed with it. I'm so frustrated and upset... I'm so sure I don't have it. Never had a single symptom either this time or last time. I know they are being cautious and I'm greatful but I don't want to be labelled with this and have my options of a VBaC limited even more than I do already. I just don't understand how I would have passed the glucose test with flying colours but been so on the edge with fasting.

ARGHHHH

I had GD last time (I too was just out of the range) and I was able to go into labour on my own and have a successful VBAC. Honestly, the specialists pushed me for a section or an induction because baby was going to be close to 9lb at full term (nothing unusual at all for me and he was my first GD baby. Other boys were 8lb 15oz and 8lb 10oz) and I told them unless my midwife shared their concerns they could go and f**k themselves. And you know what? At 38+1 I went into labour on my own, had a 12 hour un-medicated labour and vaginally delivered an 8lb 11oz son after 20 minutes of pushing. It's not impossible at all! And I was only treated as a precaution because outside of pregnancy, the levels I was sitting at were normal and not of concern for me.

This time I have been told I have GD too but I'm beginning to question it. I don't always remember to take my insulin even after eating sugary foods and I average around 3.3 before eating and 4.0 2 hours after. As I said, I don't always remember to take my insulin either so I do have to stop and wonder because I'm not exactly sticking to the Diabetes diet. I had my 28 week growth scan and baby is as expected to be for weight - 2lb give or take 6oz. If he's under 5lb 5oz at 32 weeks (DS3 was estimated to be that then), I know he's going to be less than 8lb at 38 weeks. I again, and pushing for the same birth plan I had 13 months ago and I have the support of my midwife 100%. Your specialist will always have a plan of how they want you to deliver but share your concerns with your midwife. If she is happy that even with GD that your pregnancy is progressing as your last did, she may not even worry however, birthing in water, at home or at a Birth Center will probably not be options available to you for safety reasons and your entire labour will be monitored. I'm allowed to birth vaginally without induction but I have to give up having baby at home or in a Unit. It doesn't mean that an issue will happen but it's in the best interest of you and baby if something does. Best of luck hon! I remember feeling exactly as you felt last time. Hopefully your in the same boat as me and having GD doesn't affect your plan to VBAC or labour on your own. Just keep in mind that they will want baby out before 40 weeks so if nothing has happened before then, you need to mentally prepare for an induction.

 

[Reiko_ctu]

Wacky - I had GD with my first and wasn't induced until 41 weeks. GD does not always mean an early induction. I think if it's hard to control or causing th baby to be large... maybe. But not necessarily.

 

[WackyMumof2]

Wacky - I had GD with my first and wasn't induced until 41 weeks. GD does not always mean an early induction. I think if it's hard to control or causing th baby to be large... maybe. But not necessarily.

I think a lot depends on where in the world you are and how GD is treated. And my levels during pregnancy are normal for me outside so I was treated as a pre-caution only. My midwife wants to do a membrane sweep if I go to 40 weeks but given I always go into labour at 38+1 day, she's not stressing it. But she was furious when the specialist tried to tell me my baby was going to be stillborn if I didn't consent to one of their treatment choices. I'm the kind of person who will not be backed into a corner or be told what day my baby is going to be born or how he will arrive. But I'm a Scorpio so aggression is natural reaction for me too. I won't lay down and be treated like an animal - and I told them that too.

 

[Reiko_ctu]

Wacky - I had GD with my first and wasn't induced until 41 weeks. GD does not always mean an early induction. I think if it's hard to control or causing th baby to be large... maybe. But not necessarily.

I think a lot depends on where in the world you are and how GD is treated. And my levels during pregnancy are normal for me outside so I was treated as a pre-caution only. My midwife wants to do a membrane sweep if I go to 40 weeks but given I always go into labour at 38+1 day, she's not stressing it. But she was furious when the specialist tried to tell me my baby was going to be stillborn if I didn't consent to one of their treatment choices. I'm the kind of person who will not be backed into a corner or be told what day my baby is going to be born or how he will arrive. But I'm a Scorpio so aggression is natural reaction for me too. I won't lay down and be treated like an animal - and I told them that too.

The OB's here are bad like that too. No education about options or choices. They fear monger their position and you have no choice. Our mws are very different. You have miles of reading in every thingmto do with your pregnancy and then you have to make the informed choice!! Much better for options. I feel like every mom should have enough knowledge to say yes or no in pregnancy!

 

[Bonnie11]

Thanks for all your replies ladies! Makes me feel better knowing there are others out there that get my frustration!!

Last time around I had a growth scan at 37ish weeks and they said she was already around 9lb which is why they pushed me to induce at 38 weeks, told me about stillborn and placenta failing etc even though all my bloods had been perfect through the pregnancy except the one dodgy GTT result initially. I started panicking about having a 10/11lb baby! So they tried induction for 4 days and nothing, she hadn't even dropped at that point and was nowhere near ready, they still had to forceps her out in the c section as she was high under my ribs! Was just too early for her and after all that she was 7lb7 at 38+5🙄.

I'm feeling confident about being more forceful this time about what I want, trouble is apart from sweeps they won't give me any induction help though because of c section, they have agreed to give me sweeps starting at 39 weeks so I'm hoping with this GD diagnosis that I will still be able to stick with that plan. It's just scary when they scan you and tell you your baby is going to be huge and all accompanying problems... that scan is so unreliable as if I had known she was still little I would have left her cooking and given myself a chance to go naturally! I'm pretty sure they won't let me go past 40 weeks regardless of how well GD is controlled so will just have to do everything in my power to go before then naturally.

Thanks so much for the support girls x

 

[annio84]

Do you have supervisors of midwives in your area? If you want a birth plan that is considered 'risky' they can help to make it happen. The thing to remember is they can't force you to do anything you don't want to. You have a say in your management.