Gestational Diabetes....

[Pixelle]

I posted this over in 3rd Tri but someone suggested posting here:

I had my OGTT last week. Nurse from hospital phoned me this morning and told me the results: I have Gestational Diabetes.

I'm so in shock. I honestly thought I wouldn't have it. But now thinking back to excessive tiredness, thirst, weeing, dizzyness etc.....but I thought that was normal pregnancy stuff (also confirmed by midwife).

I've been crying for about an hour now. I know it's not the end of the world but I just so want this baby to be ok.

I've tried finding things out online but everywhere says the same, really. Nothing goes into any detail about it. Does anyone have any links that I could read?

I've got an appointment on Thursday morning to see the Diabetes Nurse at the hospital....she was really lovely on the phone and explained it all to me. She tried to tell me not to worry and that we'd sort it out on Thursday but I was in a bit of shock at the time.

I'll be booked in for a scan, too at some point. Then I have the clinic to attend.
It all seems to be full-steam ahead! I'm trying to absorb it all. I'm 29 weeks tomorrow, is it too late to do anything about?

I know worse things happen, maybe I'm overreacting. I don't know.

It doesn't help that I've had painful, sleepless nights recently due to bum, leg and hip pain. Hopefully I can sort that on Thursday when I see my midwife.
Two appointments in one day...how lucky!

Sorry, I'm going on now....I guess I just needed to write it down and get some sort of support/information.

 

[pichi]

i made a similar post to this in third tri - i had a phone call from the midwife saying my annual 28 week bloods came back .1 over and so i have to go for the GTT. although i havn't been diagnosed with GD YET i don't know if i should be fretting or not do you know what your results were from your 28 week bloods?

i have read that it is normal for blood sugar to rise up to 7.8 after eating so i don't really know what to think having a reading of 7.1.

i never noticed being dizzyness till this has been mentioned to me so i dunno if i'm making it up in my head because i'm so paranoid >__< i'm not overly tired, or pee'ing THAT much more (only when she decides to bounce on my bladder >_<)

 

[Pixelle]

Hello,

I haven't had my normal bloods back yet. I had a GTT due to BMI and diabetes in family.
My GTT result was 10, should be less than 7....so I definitely have GD, according to the nurse.

I wouldn't worry too much, 7.1 isn't overly high. Definitely go for the GTT though....it isn't pleasant but at least you'll know one way or the other. I don't think you have anything to worry about.....but if you do have GD, (once you know for sure) you'll be able to manage it with help from specialists etc.

Looking back now, I definitely have symptoms but just thought it was normal preggo stuff. My symptoms were/are: Weeing lots (especially at night), extreme tiredness (just too tired to do anything, having naps during day but still going to bed before 11pm and sleeping), very thirsty all the time (nothing quenched my thirst), bouts of lightheaded/dizzyness. It doesn't sound as if you have any of these.

But definitely don't panic or get stressed about it.....I know easier said than done!

 

[pichi]

thank you hun. i hope everything works out well for you too

i guess we have to remember that it does 9 times out of 10 disappear after birth anyways

 

[madmae]

Hi...I am a long time lurker but I thought I'd answer this.

I failed my GTT as well. I was 26.6w and on the way home from our 4d scan when I got the call. We'd just found out we were having a little boy and as I was so elated it took a good few days to sink in. I saw the diabetic midwife that afternoon and she was brill and went through everythging with me. Gave me my testing kit and taught me how to use it.

Like you I had all those symptoms and had been assured by the MW that it was just a pregnncy thing, this is baby number 5 so I should have listened to my instincts that it wasn't. I am 32 weeks now and due to not being able to control the GD by diet I am on metformin twice a day. I still have terrible morning readings despite the meds but the rest of the time its ok. I can normally tell I am going to have a horrendous morning reading due to the sort of night I have. I thought that the symptoms would miracoulsy disappear....of course they don't. If I am up and down a lot at night I just know my sugars will be high. If they are high I tend to feel really wiped out for a good few hrs.

I have to test my sugars one hr after eating and the aim is for it to be 7.8 or lower. Hopefully yours will able to be controlled by diet alone. It is a pain having to remember to test but I find that setting the alarm on my phone helps. I even have the very odd chocolate bar as well.

If there is an upside to having it, it would be the extra scans. I had a growth scan at 28 weeks...I have another this week and then another at 36 weeks. At each scan I see a whole host of consultants and mw's. I have been told I won't go past my due date and will possibly be induced at 38 weeks depending on how I am doing.

Its not fun and at times it really gets to me but I just think that in the great scheme of things of things that can go wrong this isn't the worst by far.

 

[pichi]

one thing that worries me is having a big baby. i know this is stupid but - it's still one think i think about

 

[CelticNiamh]

As I'm prob heading in to my 5th pregnancy with gestational diabetes I hopefully can help ease your concerns.

First of all don't worry your baby will be fine esp as it had been found and you can either control it by diet or if necessary insulin (Ive done both)

it is an adjustment but as soon as you start the diet, you will feel so much better and bubs will grow at the normal rate rather than getting to big from to much sugar.

if you need insulin, believe me you will take a week to adjust and it is emotional but you get used to it and again you will feel so much better the thirst and tiredness should ease off.

I'm trying to think of what else I can tell you,may be ask me questions and I will do my best to answer them as best I can.

 

[madmae]

They suspect I had GD with my last one, though I wasn't tested but in hindsight I had all the symptoms. He was 9lb8 and he really didn't look like a new born. I'd been given an epidural due to having pre-eclampsia and he was by far my biggest but probably the easiest labour and delivery. I only pushed for 5 minutes and I had no tears etc.

They have warned me that this little man probably won't be so little either. I know they're not going to let him get to big before they intervene. It wasn't much fun carrying a large baby by the end but he was well worth it. And I am loving that I get to see him every month.

 

[pichi]

I don't seem to be particularly big so fingers crossed my gtt will all go to plan

 

[Pixelle]

Thank you so much for the info and support. It's been really helpful to me

I do feel much better about things now, thanks to the advice I've had on here and just letting it settle into my brain!

I've got my appointment with the Diabetic nurse tomorrow so will find out more then. I'm looking forward to it as I hate to be left with no info!

Sorry some of you are going through this too.....

 

[CelticNiamh]

Hello,

I haven't had my normal bloods back yet. I had a GTT due to BMI and diabetes in family.
My GTT result was 10, should be less than 7....so I definitely have GD, according to the nurse.

I wouldn't worry too much, 7.1 isn't overly high. Definitely go for the GTT though....it isn't pleasant but at least you'll know one way or the other. I don't think you have anything to worry about.....but if you do have GD, (once you know for sure) you'll be able to manage it with help from specialists etc.

Looking back now, I definitely have symptoms but just thought it was normal preggo stuff. My symptoms were/are: Weeing lots (especially at night), extreme tiredness (just too tired to do anything, having naps during day but still going to bed before 11pm and sleeping), very thirsty all the time (nothing quenched my thirst), bouts of lightheaded/dizzyness. It doesn't sound as if you have any of these.

But definitely don't panic or get stressed about it.....I know easier said than done!

On the symptom note, some people dont get any! or we just brush them off as pregnancy symptoms!

Oh and I feel you on night time peeing Im sick of waking up at least 5 times a night to pee more some times, worse Im finding it so hard to get back to sleep so I am so tired during the day and cant nap boo hoo, I just lie down for a while or sit down and relax it does help.

I find out today how they will manage this pregnancy, so nervous as new hospital so not sure of procedures yet, I expect I will be on insulin sooner rather than later and Im ok with that as I know I will feel so much better and not worry so much on the size of the baby!

good luck tomorrow

 

[channy3232]

Awww hun I understand completely. I had GD with my son. I shouldn't have been surprised as I am overweight, but I was heartbroken when I found out. I blamed myself. I worried that something would go wrong (don't google!!!) after it sunk in though, I started my diet. It actually wasn't that bad. My morning numbers were still high and I ended up on insulin, which was totally not a big deal at all. Just remember you're doing all these things to keep your baby healthy. Plus you'll get more ultrasounds throughout and get to see the baby more! They kept telling me my son was going to be almost 10 lbs. He was 8lbs 5oz and 23 1/4 inches long. He was SO skinny he was in newborn clothes. He's now a beautiful healthy smart 15 month old.
Feel free to pm if you have any questions or if you want any good low carb recipes!
Good luck!

 

[Pixelle]

Thank you again for the support

I have my appointment today so will be going shopping afterwards to get foods that I can eat safely. Its been a nightmare trying to think of what to eat the past two days!

Hopefully it can be managed without insulin but if it comes to it, I'll do the insulin. I want the best for my baby afterall.

I know it might sound selfish but I really want to feel well again....I know there is no miracle cure but the extreme tiredness is really taking its toll on me now. The flat is a mess because I have to nap every few hours and have no motivation to do anything!
It doesn't help that I think I have SPD...got a midwife appointment this afternoon so hopefully that can be sorted out too.

I'm just so sick of being in pain and tired all the time. It's not been the easiest of pregnancies and now seems to be getting worse

I was up at 5am with pain in my legs (after suffering all night) and also because I'm a bit worried about my appointment.....I just hope things go okay today and I come out feeling better about things

Sorry for the rant....just tired, I guess!

 

[CelticNiamh]

Pixelle once you start on the diet you will feel heaps better, the tiredness will ease and you will feel mor or less normal again.
check out low gi meals

basic rule is swap all rice pasta bread to brown, eat plenty of vegatables and protein chicken, eggs! reduce your carbs intake. no sweets, cakes, biscuits on less for that very rare treat (man we need one every now and again)

make your own sauces for pasta, curry, etc I think I can post some recepies for you.
On the GI diet which is great for diabetics sweet potato is better than normal ones so need to check it out for sugar!
fruit can be tricky as it contains its own sugar and can have an effect! I think I wasnt allowed eat grapes or if I had a banana I couldnt have any other fruit.

Low fat cheese,milk and butter as well and eat low fat yougarts eat little and often they will go through every thing with you and some foods which may be ok say for me may not be for you, so it will be trail and error for a while.

it is strict but well worth it as you feel heaps better and baby is better as well.

Good luck today!

 

[pichi]

Hey - just thought that I would post to update that I have had my GTT today and am now eagerly awaiting my results

 

[CelticNiamh]

Hey - just thought that I would post to update that I have had my GTT today and am now eagerly awaiting my results

Good Luck

 

[CelticNiamh]

Pichi did they tell you the levels they want your blood sugars to come back at !

 

[Pixelle]

Thank you for the food advice CelticNiamh

Just back from appointment and feeling much more positive. I know the risks and what can happen but also know that some of the things are very rare.
I was terribly worried it was my fault but the nurse reassured me that it's one of those things that you either get, or don't.

I've got a booklet on what I can eat and to be honest, it's not that bad. I thought it'd be much worse!

I have to test my blood sugar 6 times a day....ewww, I don't like it!
I've got to keep a record of my results and what I'm eating everyday until Wednesday when I have to go to the clinic to see the dietician and other people.

I've got a scan booked for the 8th....looking forward to seeing baby again

All in all, it seems manageable. If diet alone can't sort it then they'll try me on tablets with insulin as last resort.

Oh and they won't let me go over 39 weeks. Some hospitals say 37 weeks but mine is 39....unless growth scans say it's a big baby, then it'll more likely be 38 weeks.

Feeling much better about things. It's going to be hard, but hopefully I'll manage


Good luck for your results Pichi

 

[pichi]

Thank you pixelle. No I've not been told what it should be - I think they said around 7.8 after the 2h glucose but I can't remember lol

Glad you are feeling more positive about everything hun and yay for another scan

 

[- Butterfly -]

Glad to hear you are feeling much positive about it. I have my GTT on Wednesday. My BMI and also family history is the reason for me having the test. I'm wondering from your symptoms now whether I might have gd . . . exhausted, dizzy, thirsty but I don't wee all that much so maybe not!

Thanks for the thread.