Newbie to Gestational Diabetes

[Mapleroo]

Hi ladies

I am 31 weeks with #4 and found out yesterday that I have GD. Never had it with my other pregnancies. I am waiting on a call from the diabetic clinic where I will be seen by a dr and nurse and given a treatment plan. So far I know very little and what I thought I did know...apparently I don't! I'm not sure what to expect over the next few weeks or even during labor. Anyone who has experienced this before, care to share their knowledge???

 

[Rosie06]

im in a similar position i found out at 25 weeks i have GD at 27 weeks i was put on overnight slow release insulin, im obviously not sure on what to expect labour wise although ive been told i wont be aloud past 38 weeks and with having a prev emcs there will be a very low threshold for me going for another one, but i guess every hospital is different with regards to this

 

[Mapleroo]

im in a similar position i found out at 25 weeks i have GD at 27 weeks i was put on overnight slow release insulin, im obviously not sure on what to expect labour wise although ive been told i wont be aloud past 38 weeks and with having a prev emcs there will be a very low threshold for me going for another one, but i guess every hospital is different with regards to this

Is the reason they won't let you go over 38 weeks because of babies size??

 

[Rosie06]

yes i think its more to do with been on insulin prior to been on insulin they said it would just depend on babies size, but now im on insulin theyve said nothing past 38 weeks x

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

I found out at 28 weeks I have GD. I'm on slow release last thing at night and fast release with my evening meal.

I'll be getting an induction at 38 weeks as in insulin and baby is showing as big on growth scans.

Generally stick to low GI foods and complex carbs and try to pair them with a protein as it helps to break down the sugars.

Week 1 for me after seeing the diabetes clinician was about self testing my sugar levels after every meal to get a baseline of when it is high. Then I went back and they made the decision to go with insulin rather than diet controlled.

Good luck with your first appt .

 

[Jamie85]

I was just diagnosed with GD last week (at 31 weeks) after routine bloods came back high sugar. I was upset at first because I'd read about all the complications that can happen.
After I'd met with the diabetes midwife at the hospital I felt much better knowing it wasn't anything I'd done.
I currently have to do a finger prick test 4x a day. One first thing and one an hour after each meal. I was given Metformin tablets I started off on one per day but I'm now on 3 to try and reduce my sugar levels first thing, as this is where my sugar is at its highest.
Looking on the bright side I get a couple of extra scans one next week and one at 36weeks. I will also be getting induced before 40weeks but will find out when on my 36weeks scan.
Hope this helps and try not to worry. x

 

[Rosie06]

I was just diagnosed with GD last week (at 31 weeks) after routine bloods came back high sugar. I was upset at first because I'd read about all the complications that can happen.
After I'd met with the diabetes midwife at the hospital I felt much better knowing it wasn't anything I'd done.
I currently have to do a finger prick test 4x a day. One first thing and one an hour after each meal. I was given Metformin tablets I started off on one per day but I'm now on 3 to try and reduce my sugar levels first thing, as this is where my sugar is at its highest.
Looking on the bright side I get a couple of extra scans one next week and one at 36weeks. I will also be getting induced before 40weeks but will find out when on my 36weeks scan.
Hope this helps and try not to worry. x

getting the extra scans is lovely! seeing how big they might be not so much

i was told by nurse that metformin wont do anything for fasting levels, thats were my main problem is so was put on slow release iinsulin which i take before bed x

 

[Mapleroo]

Thanks so much for your input ladies! I was feeling quite guilty also, thinking I had caused it. I have my appointment at the clinic next Monday and then my next OB appt the next day, so hopefully I have a plan in place this time next week. Thats good news about the extra scans though! All my babies have been on the smaller side (between 6.3lbs-7.4lbs) so Im not too excited about the possibility of anything a whole lot bigger

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

Thanks so much for your input ladies! I was feeling quite guilty also, thinking I had caused it. I have my appointment at the clinic next Monday and then my next OB appt the next day, so hopefully I have a plan in place this time next week. Thats good news about the extra scans though! All my babies have been on the smaller side (between 6.3lbs-7.4lbs) so Im not too excited about the possibility of anything a whole lot bigger

Must say finding out at 29 weeks she weighed 3lb 14oz already was a little unwelcome

Particularly as the male tech started the conversation with ' oh there's the head, it's a bit bigger than expected at this stage'.

He nearly got a kick!!

 

[Jamie85]

getting the extra scans is lovely! seeing how big they might be not so much

i was told by nurse that metformin wont do anything for fasting levels, thats were my main problem is so was put on slow release iinsulin which i take before bed x

Sorry it's not my fasting level that's the problem it's the one after my breakfast x

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

Watch out for bread and things Ike instant porridge. The dietician told me I should still eat bread but even 1 small slice of granary with whole seeds puts me over the edge and the instant porridge pots are I have learned about a quarter sugar.

 

[Mapleroo]

Thanks so much for your input ladies! I was feeling quite guilty also, thinking I had caused it. I have my appointment at the clinic next Monday and then my next OB appt the next day, so hopefully I have a plan in place this time next week. Thats good news about the extra scans though! All my babies have been on the smaller side (between 6.3lbs-7.4lbs) so Im not too excited about the possibility of anything a whole lot bigger

Must say finding out at 29 weeks she weighed 3lb 14oz already was a little unwelcome

Particularly as the male tech started the conversation with ' oh there's the head, it's a bit bigger than expected at this stage'.

He nearly got a kick!!

Yes I would say so! My kids all have massive heads now (their father has a hard time finding hats to fit lol) But thankfully their heads at birth were teeny

Watch out for bread and things Ike instant porridge. The dietician told me I should still eat bread but even 1 small slice of granary with whole seeds puts me over the edge and the instant porridge pots are I have learned about a quarter sugar.

I think that is what I am going to have a hard time with-bread....

 

[Rosie06]

getting the extra scans is lovely! seeing how big they might be not so much

i was told by nurse that metformin wont do anything for fasting levels, thats were my main problem is so was put on slow release iinsulin which i take before bed x

Sorry it's not my fasting level that's the problem it's the one after my breakfast x

ah makes sense!

i struggle with bread too and pasta, nurse said to me to try and have protein filled breakfast so grilled egg bacon and mushrooms, or to try rye bread, the my levels are much lower if i have a protein rich breakfast though x

 

[lovebabyhopes]

Sorry it's not my fasting level that's the problem it's the one after my breakfast x

What are you eating? The hardest number to control throughout the day is the after breakfast number for me. However, I've learned that simple breakfasts are the best. Whatever you do, NO CEREAL/ OATMEAL/ FRUIT. Sorry to "yell", I just can't emphasize this enough. What has been working for me is a cooked (sometimes scrambled, sometimes fried) egg on top of 1 piece of sprouted whole wheat toast. I can add a little bit of cheese to the top of the egg and some hot sauce.. etc.

You can try cottage cheese and cut cheery tomatoes if you don't want to cook something.

 

[lovebabyhopes]

If anyone is having trouble with their fasting numbers, I highly recommend drinking a protein shake right before bed. This has helped me without fail. I get a 21gram protein shake from trader joes called Pure Protein. It doesn't taste that bad. I add crushed ice and it's like a chocolate milk shake.

https://www.pureprotein.net/pages/products.aspx?sku=031696

** I've been managing my GD through diet and exercise so far. It's been a struggle but I'm doing it (for now.) I notice higher numbers when I'm stressed out or sick, which I can't do much about. But so far, the foods I've been eating have kept me in line. I will admit I am really strict though.

 

[Smonsta]

Thanks for the tip on getting the fasting level down. It is the one level I am having issues with.

 

[lovebabyhopes]

^ No problem. Before I started drinking a protein shake every night, my fasting numbers were always between 100- 105. I am now always below 95 and this morning, for example, I was 86. If I skip a protein shake (I've done that twice due to running out) I will shoot up without fail.

 

[Jamie85]

Sorry it's not my fasting level that's the problem it's the one after my breakfast x

What are you eating? The hardest number to control throughout the day is the after breakfast number for me. However, I've learned that simple breakfasts are the best. Whatever you do, NO CEREAL/ OATMEAL/ FRUIT. Sorry to "yell", I just can't emphasize this enough. What has been working for me is a cooked (sometimes scrambled, sometimes fried) egg on top of 1 piece of sprouted whole wheat toast. I can add a little bit of cheese to the top of the egg and some hot sauce.. etc.

You can try cottage cheese and cut cheery tomatoes if you don't want to cook something.

Been back to the diabetes clinic today and they're giving me a fast release insulin as well as Metformin so hopefully that will fix my number after breakfast. Seems no matter what I eat my number comes out too high. x

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

I'm on fast release with my evening meal and slow release before bed. Don't worry too much about it, the injections are painless and easy to do and they do make an almost immediate difference (might take a couple of days for your body to get used to it).

It's a tiny price to pay for a healthy baby ghats how I think of it.

 

[Jamie85]

I'm on fast release with my evening meal and slow release before bed. Don't worry too much about it, the injections are painless and easy to do and they do make an almost immediate difference (might take a couple of days for your body to get used to it).

It's a tiny price to pay for a healthy baby ghats how I think of it.

On my second day of insulin was scared at first but couldn't even feel it. Unfortunately it hasn't worked so I've got to up it by a few units tomorrow and see how I get on
Defo right about it being a small price to pay aslong as I have a healthy baby at the end. And hopefully not a huge baby haha!
6weeks to go....