Just found out I have GD

[belladonna]

I have just received a letter from the hospital to say that after the tests they have found that I have gestational diabetes.
I have to go to the hospital on Tuesday to see a doctor who will show me how to use the blood glucose monitor and will have to go back the following week to discuss my diet.

Apart from that I have no other information and am really confused as to what its going to mean for me and the baby. Also I have just managed to get them to say that I was not high-risk and suppose now that I will be high-risk again and no longer be able to give birth in the midwive led unit or have a waterbirth I really dont want to have to give birth whilst strapped up to all sorts of monitors and not be able to move around freely.

 

[lizziedripping]

I have just received a letter from the hospital to say that after the tests they have found that I have gestational diabetes.
I have to go to the hospital on Tuesday to see a doctor who will show me how to use the blood glucose monitor and will have to go back the following week to discuss my diet.

Apart from that I have no other information and am really confused as to what its going to mean for me and the baby. Also I have just managed to get them to say that I was not high-risk and suppose now that I will be high-risk again and no longer be able to give birth in the midwive led unit or have a waterbirth I really dont want to have to give birth whilst strapped up to all sorts of monitors and not be able to move around freely.

Hi Belladonna. Don't panic hun

A GD diagnosis does not automatically mean the end of a straightforward, uncomplicated pregnancy.

I was diagnosed at 28wks with it, due to this being a twin pregnancy. However, after monitoring my blood sugars for a couple of weeks, it was found that they weren't in fact too high, and my body was simply working harder and making less insulin due to having 2 placentas. The strain of pregnancy in itself can pull up a slightly abnormal reading, but with diet this can be controlled - that is the whole point of being monitored.

You may find that your levels are fine once you check them. If there a little high, you just cut out sweet stuff, up your veg intake and eat smaller portions. This usually sorts the problem. If not, only then is insulin given.

I haven't had to attend any further clinics, and just check my levels every 2/3 days. If they were suddenyl high, I'd just have to contact diabetic nurse. My babies are big, as was my first child at birth, but this is due to genetics NOT GD.

Worst case scenario, you had to control your GD with insulin - the baby would be checked he/she isn't getting too big, and even then they'd just deliver a little earlier.

Try not to worry hun. GD is reasonably common, and usually easily controlled.
You can still aim for that "natural" birth - tho in my experience, first babies/labours rarely go to plan, and it is better to keep an open mind about delivery to avoid being disappointed.

Good luck

 

[Missy86]

Dont panic hun xx

As Lizzie said it may not be to bad

 

[jennie-jack]

i have just been diagnosed too well nearly 3 weeks ago now. i was 18 weeks though. diet didnt make a change to my levels so i have to take tablets called metformin to help my levels. i also check my blood sugars 6 times a day and keep them in a diary which i take to clinic every two weeks.

i am now solely consultant care and attend a special diabetic clinic at the antenatel clinic every two weeks.

jennie xx

 

[belladonna]

I know I should wait until I see the consultant to find out more but I am worrying so much and getting myself into a state.
Jennie, what sort of diet did they give you?

 

[LucyC2804]

Hey!!

i also have GD (diagnosed @ 34 weeks), and am being induced tomorrow morning because of it, so give me a few days, and i can let you know how it all goes !

i am diet controlled only, no insulin, but my levels have been creeping up these last few days... spoke to midwifes though (specialist diabetes ones) and they say this is nothing to worry about.

Please dont panic love.... its really not that bad !! at least you found out after easter.... i still have 2 easter eggs waiting for me !! : )

 

[belladonna]

I didn't have any eggs as I don't really like chocolate. I don't really eat many sweet foods as I prefer savory, I think this is why I am getting worried about the diet and it not being controlled by that. I have been eating fruit and drinking fruit juice though and will be really upset if I can't continue doing that as its all I want to eat at the moment.

 

[jennie-jack]

they said low fat, low sugar. they said i could have 1 glass of fruit juice a day also trying to balance meals out with carbs so that the sugar is broken down slower to give the body chance to absorb it.

they only gave me a week to try this way due to high reading so they started me on tablets a week after.

 

[belladonna]

I went to the hospital today and saw the diabetic midwife, she was really lovely and she showed me how to check my levels, which were fine until I had to do it at home and felt faint! I'm such a wuss!

I have to go back next Tuesday to have a scan and see the consultant and they will check my diary to see if the change in diet has worked.

Went to tescos after to buy brown bread and brown pitas- I hope I like them!

 

[jennie-jack]

you will get used to the finger pricks. we go to a consultants clinic and there is always a dietitian for if you need diet help.

if you prick the sides of your fingers it hurts less or i find it does.

good luck for this week.

jennie xx

 

[belladonna]

I think the worst thing about the pricks is knowing that when I press the button it will hurt- I keep counting down and then chickening out!

Jennie, do you use the same fingers all the time? I have found that its easier to use my left hand as when I tried to do my right hand it was difficult to press the button.

 

[NicolaT]

i used to use the same hand and just vary the finger !! good luck XX

 

[jennie-jack]

i have to use my left hand as i cant work it with my left hand lol. i tend to use my first two fingers untill they stop bleeding and i have to use the others till it heals a little.

i have also used my forarm with the pricker on the longest setting this was cos i stupidly bruised my fingers trapping them in a door. duh lol

jennie xx

 

[ChubbyCheeks]

I prick the left fingers, a different one each time

 

[belladonna]

My fingers are starting to get bruised! Still so far almost all of the levels have been completely normal. The only high ones have been when I have had any fruit juice or squash, so I have cut them out completly and am just drinking water and diet coke.
I have an appointment with the consultant on Tuesday so will see what she says then.

 

[Dee_H]

I was diagnosed with Diabetes at 6 months pregnant. First they were saying GD but turns out I had a pre-existing diabetes..where hormones with my pregnancy brought it out. I had to take 5 needles a day while pregnant and stick to a strict carb and calorie diet.Watch your carbs and stay away from juice if you can..juice and fruit have natural sugars. I use a different finger each time I test..they get sore at first but they toughen up pretty quickly. I had a very rough pregnancy..lots happened to me but no problems with baby. My baby was born 2 days before my due date..I had to be induced due to high blood pressure and weighed 7lbs 11oz...her blood sugar was low for the first 2 hours after she was born..but a little formula brought it right up. I still have to take 4 needles a day and stick to my diet..but I feel healthy.

 

[Dee_H]

I really dont want to have to give birth whilst strapped up to all sorts of monitors and not be able to move around freely.[/QUOTE]



Hi hun...sorry to double post here..the only extra hook ups you will have is if you are on insulin..they will give you a drip. A nurse or your partner can doing you blood sugar level testing.

 

[costgang]

ive got gd again, been testing and had metformin, but was put onto insulin yesterday, its only 1 lot in the evening at the mo, i also always prick my left hand and its always one of three fingers, i was told i would have to have a drip during labour with josh, was induced at 38 wks, but because i have fast labours, by the time we got down to labour ward there wasnt time, my labour with josh was 45mins

 

[belladonna]

Wow, costgang thats fast!

I saw the consultant today who was really nice. He said that from looking at my glucose levels over the past week he doesn't think I will have to go on insulin and that as long as the baby doesn't get too big and the levels are controlled by diet there should be no need to induce me.