possible GD

[marmite]

could use advice from someone, I have possible GD, they found sugar in my urine and the baby had grown loads at my appointment today, I have been feeling very low of energy, very thirsty, I hadn't twigged though, and I know my mum had it with my younger sister, so it seems likely.

Anyway, I am having a blood test Tuesday, then the doc said it'll take 2-3 working days for that too come through, then if i do have it i'll have to wait for a appointment with a dietitian, so likely i'll be in limbo for well over a week, and im looking to improve my diet before then, hopefully, someone might have some advice on what i should and shouldn't be eating at least food-wise?

Also, im now worried my VBAC plans might go awry, ive seen that they often induce at 38-39 weeks, but if your VBAC they won't induce, so i'll just have to have a repeat c-section I'm really hoping they will let me go naturally, what do you think the chances of this are?

 

[Blondie007]

Hi marmite.

I have GD. First of all, the GTT takes a couple of hours. I had to go in first thing (after fasting), take bloods etc and then drink a glucose drink. Leave it 2 hours then they test the sugar levels. Take a snack with you for afterwards.

I was told to avoid all sugary things. So, I stopped eating the obvious, no sweets, cakes etc. Also only drinking diet drinks or no added sugar squash.

Be careful with white carbs - ie white bread, white pasta, white rice. I swapped all this for granary bread, wholemeal pasta and wholemeal rice. really simple actually, not a problem at all. My sugar levels have stayed well within limits.

You will also get more growth scans to keep an eye on the growth. I was told I wouldnt be allowed past my due date but as my sugar levels are within limits they do not intend to induce me any earlier. However, my amniotic fluid levels increased again, so now I take metformin which is a drug similar to insulin. I have had no problems with this. Again, they had said they will not be inducung me any earlier even though I now take this.

I asked my odds of a caesarean and my consultant told me that a c-section for me is the same as anyone else - ie baby is in difficult position etc - NOT because of GD. They said they try to leave you as much as possible. I think they induce earlier if you struggle to keep your sugar levels under control so I would imagine that it all depends on how your sugar levels are -it is different for everyone.

Hope this helps a bit

xxx

 

[Tanikit]

Firstly I see you are quite late in your pregnancy already and will already be full term by the time you have seen anyone - as far as diet goes switch to a low GI diet (search this on google as it will give you a very good idea of what is best to eat) - these are foods that keep your blood glucose levels stable for longer periods without the huge peaks that sugary and other types of foods cause.

Then relax nd wait for the test results because a lot will depend on what values you do get and how they decide to control it - diet or insulin. They should possibly also scan you again for a growth scan and see how baby is doing.

As far as the birth goes: I know you want a VBAC and it may still be a possibility so don't give up on it, however do switch your views somewhat - what you want more than anything is a healthy safe baby. Many GDs are allowed to go to term these days and many are induced early - if you have already had a C-section then it is not advisable to induce with pitocin anyway as it can be dangerous but you could possibly be induced with a pessary and see if that puts you into labour. Again while you are late in your pregnancy you will have to be patient and trusting and just wait to hear what is best for you and baby. I hope you will be able to get the birth you want though.

 

[AmeliePoulain]

Hello

I had GD in my pregnancy - that was diagnosed at 36 weeks. Have you had a scan that has said that the baby has measuring big or is it just your fundal height that is measuring big?

My bump was measuring 2 weeks ahead but I had a 6lb 7oz baby and I didnt have any excessive fluid - they really cant tell much by measuring your bump and even growth scans are a bit iffy (I was told my daughter was 5lb 9oz nearly 4 weeks before she was born )

As for diet control - obviously cut out cakes, sweets etc and also fruit juice. It is best to switch white rice, pasta, bread etc for wholemeal varieties. Everyone is different though - I could tolerate a lot of fruit but I couldnt have any carbs (even good carbs) without my sugar levels going really high

As for VBAC I would have thought the only issue might be if your doctor wants to induce you - I know that inductions aren't advised if you have had a previous c-sec. Saying that though not everyone needs to be induced if the GD is being well controlled and bubs is happy.

Best of luck and fingers crossed the GTT comes back as showing everything is fine

 

[marmite]

Thanks guys,

I do really think that gestational diabetes is likely, though who knows when it started, hopefully not too long ago. Either way, I figure it's best to be on the safe side and assume I do have it for now, eating a little more healthily certainly won't hurt right now, I did rather overindulge over Christmas!

Feeling a little better for informing myself on what's good to eat, I just hope it's doing the trick and i'm not doing it wrong, as I can't check my blood sugar levels to see.

Also, I felt really really down last afternoon/night, I don't suppose that could be down to chance in diet/cutting down sugar thing? Don't know if anyone has experienced similar?

 

[Blondie007]

Quite possibly. When my levels go quite low, I feel like I am coming down with something and reall, really tired. Be careful that you dont over do it, make sure you get some good slow release carbs in you to keep the sugar levels at an even keel.

 

[v2007]

I had GD with Katie and i managed to control it with Metforming for 2 mon ths but in the last 2 weeks i needed Insulin.

She was big as well, she was delivered by section at 37+4 weighing 9lb 8.5oz.

I found once i cut sugar out, i was crabby but that lasted a few days then went away.

Carbs messed up my levels as well.

You only have a few weeks left.

V xxx