Anyone else Gestational Diabetic or curious about it?

Hi Kelli

Thought that I would post again as I had another appointment with a different DR and he got the results for me....perhaps from your expereince you might be able to shed some light on this?

I had a reading of 4.6 after fasting and then 10.9 after the glucose drink and then 9.8 an hour later.....it is high and I now have to look at the home self testing, I guess I will know more over the coming week.....I am so confused as to how this has happened as I am not overweight and have a really good diet. Could it just be one of those things?

Anyway - thanks for listening and for your information earlier...

Megan

Megan

Please don't beat yourself up about the high readings. It is wonderful to hear that you are in good health - sometimes GD isn't necessarily a direct result of triggers like weight and diet.

Some people just have altered insulin resistance and when the hormones of pregnancy kick in, it all goes a little pear shaped. Hopefully, with your good health track record, you will lose all gestational diabetes symptoms in the hours/days following your baby's birth. Quite often, as soon as the placenta is delivered, things will get back on track pretty quickly.

I'm guessing that the colour not changing on the stick means that there was no glucose detected in your urine. That is good - as is a fasting glucoose of 4.6 - that's really good!

I don't think that chocolate would be doing too much harm - but then again, different foods affect different people in different ways!

Well done for your great diet. Self testing will help you to see what might make your blood sugars rise - it will be a case of seeing what works and what doesn't. Also, your ob may (or may not) send you off to see a diabetes educator which will help you out immensely.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions.

Best wishes

Kelli - thanks for your reassurance...could I ask you a few more questions though?

Will the baby be OK? I have read that it could cause complications for the baby? Will it be bigger then normal or will he come early?

Any info that you have would be greatly appreciated!

Megan

Megan

Bubs can often be bigger if bsl's are not well controlled. Usually the birth is brought on earlier if the baby is large or Mum is having problems like decreased placenta funtion, uncontrolled bsls etc etc.

The baby might also have a few low blood sugars just after birth but they keep a real close eye on them and supplement feed them with some formula if needed.

Hope this helps - sorry I have taken so long to reply - DH is in hospital.

Seeya

kelli i hope your DH is ok - you must be having a tough time of it on your own at the moment. hope he recovers soon and it's not too serious.
love beckles

Hi Beckles!

Thanks for your kind words.

Unfortunately Mark is not in the best of health at the moment, but thankfully, he is on the road to recovery.

He had an emmergency operation on Sunday and we are just sooooo lucky that they operated when they did - things could be looking a whole lot worse now if they didn't.

I am coping ok - my wonderful friends who live 2.5 hours away from us came on Monday to watch the kids and help out so I could go see Mark. I am so blessed to have such caring people around me. Mark's sister is driving from Perth as we speak to stay until Sunday and that will be wonderful.

Thanks again for thinking of me!

How are you doing? How are you Megan? Are you getting the hang of doing your bsl's yet? Hope all is well for you both.

Best wishes

Hi everyone,
I had GD in my first pregnancy, although it was quite weird. At the initial testing, with the glucose drink, they said I had it. I was set up with the *****er and had to test myself 4 times a day. Not once was it EVER above average. If anything it was below (can't remember the numbers, but 2 or 3 I think). I'd even test people who came to visit and their's was always higher.
I had no complications. Was booked in for induction, but luckily DD arrived the day before, totally average weight. After the hospital gave me the crappiest diet ever. I really don't think I ever had it. Is it normal to have such low readings? I've never been overweight and eat healthily. However last time I wasn't as healthy as this time. I don't eat sugar, so Im hoping it doesn't reapper. Is it likely to strike again??? Because I had it before, will I have to be tested early?

Hi Kelli

I am so sorry to hear about your DH - I hope that he is feeling better. Yay for good friends! Yours sound truly wonderful...

I haven't had a good coversation with my OB yet - have an appointment in the morning so will hopefully have more news then.

Thanks so much for your response though - but I will probably touch base with you soon when I know more about what I need to do to keep things under control...

Thanks again and all my love to you and DH!

Megan

Kelli - Sorry to hear about your DH, hope he has a speedy recovery and gets well soon. [-o< It's nice to have friends and family that drop everything just to be of help.

I have finally found my right insulin dosage! \:D/

I get readings of low 4's to low 7's now, which is normal and of great diabetic control.

Firsttimer - Sometimes if you eat something that you're entirely not use too and a lot of it over a period of time, it can throw of your system's balance off. I have found so many things now spike my sugars and in keeping away from them, or eating just a piece or a handful rather than the whole thing has helped.

Melissa

Melissa - thanks for that. Perhaps it was the fact that I ate more chocolate then normal that has tipped me over as my reading after 2 hours was 9.6! I am thinking that this is quite high?

Congratulations on having such great readings - that is wonderful. I am hoping to pick up a machine tomorrow so I can start doing this at home...

I have been put on the strictess diet though - with no cheese, no other dairy (other then low fat yoghurt), no chocolate - nothing with sugar in it, no bacon, no lamb, no sausages, no carbs at all and to only eat food that is Low GI! It really sucks....

Meg - as this is my first pg - I can't be of any help to you, but I would love an answer to your question as well as I am worried that I will get it again too.....

Megan

Meg - My mum was GD, and only with myself and my sister. GD didn't occur when she was having my brother. Mum is however, type 2 diabetic now.

Melissa

Meg

They say (Drs that is) if you have had GD before, you have a greater risk of becoming gestational diabetic again. But I have found from personal experience that if you have a really good diet before you become pregnant (like similar to when you had GD) and are in good shape, it might not be as bad.

Megan - I am baffled as to why you have been put onto such a strict diet. It sounds pretty weird :-k especially not being able to eat lamb, cheese etc etc. Is this an attempt to avoid insulin use by the doctor? Even though we have to be really careful what we eat, the diet you are on sounds so restrictive - you must be going out of your mind! I found that low fat yoghurt (I was told to have low fat fruit yoghurt) still made my bsl rise - it still has sugar in it!

Melissa - YAY!! at your excellent control!! You must be over the moon!! Remember that they might rise slightly as your pregnancy continues and you might have to adjust your dose! WELL DONE!! =D>

My control is excellent now too! I have actually had to decrease my insulin dose as I was having regular hypos!! Not quite sure why it has changed, but happy nonetheless!! I am eating pretty similiar things all the time and have been craving vege soup (which I am making by the tonne) and it doesn't touch my bsl very much!! Can't wait to tell the ob!! I am so thrilled as it means that bubs will stay average size (like Liam was) and so far I have not put on any weight (but then again, I still had a few of Liam's legacy hanging around lol!!).

Well, hope you are all well, and I will chat again soon!

Seeya

Kelli - it does sound strange doesn't it? I am attending a clinic next week -so will hopefully find out more then. I don't think that I am overly BIG (baby wise) either - please have a look at my webpage and let me know!!

I have just started to test mysefl today and my first reading after breakfast was 5.2 so I am really pleased with that...retest in about 40 mins....

I am thrilled that you are keeping things under control - that is great news..well done! I do find it hard work and have to think all the time 'can I eat that?' 'Is there sugar in that?' I'm sure it will get easier and I only have 6 weeks until the baby is born so not long to go..

Megan

Megan - geez you look absolutely ginormous NOT!!! WOW!!! You look FANTASTIC!!!!!! =D>

Your bsl after brekkie is great!! What did you have for brekkie (just curious!) We are living on porridge at the moment and I'm really enjoying it.

Just to confuse you even more - sometimes it's foods that don't have a lot of sugar that will make your bsl rise but keeping away from the obvious ones is a great plan.

Hope you have a good clinic visit next week.

Seeya

hi Kelli

Thanks for the lovely comments - I have worked really hard to keep the exercise up during pg and am glad now that I have GD. We have also figured out how I got it....this might sound complicated, but I have a pituitary gland tumour at the base of my brain (as been there for 15 years) and it has reacted in some way to the placenta hormones and Whammo! I have GD! At least it is nothing I have done (which was my concern all along...)

I have 2 pieces of Burgen soy and linseed toast with peanut butter (just a little bit) This morning I had 1 piece of Burgen toast and a bowl of peaches and prunes with low GI yoghurt - I am due to retest myself at 8.50am so will post again then with the results. My test this morning when I got up was 5.6 which I thought was high considering I hadn't eaten anything over night!

Porridge sounds fantastic - particularly as the weather is cooling down.

I just want to say thank you for having this thread Kelli - I was so nervous about GD and blamed myself that I had done something wrong that might harm my baby...but you have been so supportive and I cannot thank you enough....

Megan

Hi Kelli

I just had a higher reading from my breakfast of fruit this morning?? 6.5?? Could it be the peaches? Very strange...I will keep an eye on it though!

Megan

You are sooooo welcome! I am happy to help! I have been through all the fears and worries that you have gone through too, although I had no one to talk to.

The peaches probably did it - having said that, a bsl of 6.5 is still excellent. Burgen bread is great isn't it!! I LOVE it!!

Also, when you wake with a higher bsl in the morning, it is often because the liver is kicking in to help "feed" you as it deems you are hungry lol! Maybe try having a small snack before bed (something that you know doesn't adversely affect your bsl's). I have to do it every night - even on insulin or my liver says "you are soooooo hungry Kelli - here, have some sugar!!"!!

Hope the rest of your day is filled with great bsl's and lots of lovely baby kicks!

Seeya

Thanks so much Kelli - so I shouldn't be too worried about a 6.5?

Thanks again - you have a lovely day too...

Megan

Well, I wouldn't.

My levels are considered very strict by some, but my ob wants me <7.8 1 hour post meal, and <6.8 2 hours post meal. So, a 6.5 is great!!

How was your post brekky level? Hope it was GREAT!!

Seeya

Hi Kelli

The 6.5 was my post brekky level..but have had a set back this afternoon as have been at a function where there was only white bread sandwiches and I was soooo starving! I just tested myself and got an 8.8! I am disappointed - but I will know not to do that again - must BYO lunch next time. Hopefully the dinner reading should be better as 8.8 is high!

:( :( :(

Megan

Megan

I guess what you need to say to yourself is - am I going to be eating that type of food all the time or is it a one off? A one off is ok - and it is often better to eat something when you are hungry rather than have your blood sugar plummet.

Don't get upset with yourself. You were obviously hungry and needed to eat.

Your blood sugars will recover fine and bubs will be absolutely fine. It is only if you have continuing high blood sugars that you will run into problems.

Chin up and smile - you are doing really well!!

Decreased my morning insulin again this morning and still went hypo!! YAY!!! Something is really starting to work!!

Seeya

Kelli - thanks for your comments...I guess a once off it OK isn't it?

Woo Hoo for decreasing your insulin! that is fantastic! I am thrilled for you that you are getting the results that you want...

Thanks again

Megan

Dear Kelli,
My baby already weighs 5.3 kilos poor thing and my first BSL reading was 10.7, I went to the D specialist yesterday and she gave me insulin and then wanted me to test myself today and see how I went, before putting me on insulin. I am not very big, just all baby and have coeliacs disease and I have been put on the same diet as Megan. Last reading was 6.4. I am worried that because she (ellen-grace) had such a growth spurt that there might be some adverse effects, they kept looking at her organs and her head was in the 95% mark and her tummy was in the 85% mark, if you can give me any advice I would really appreciate it. I am really scared and lost a daughter at 20 wks last year (not related to diabetes).
Caz

Cas

Firstly, I am so sorry to read that you lost a little girl last year. Big Hugs to you.

Are you sure your baby is 5.3kg? They didn't mean 5lb 3oz which is somewhere around 2.5 kg??? I ask this as I had an ultrasound yesterday and they said my baby was 2.9 and I immediately thought kilos and thought holey moley! But then she said 2lb 9oz (1.3kg) which is a small size. I have been on insulin since 10 weeks and my blood sugars well controlled so the small size is expected for me.

Now, what kind of questions would you like to ask? 6.4 is not too bad a reading, but at what time of day was it (ie fasting - before brekky or sometime during the day).

Please don't be afraid of insulin - it is a hormone and won't hurt your baby. I have been on it 3 pregnancies now and sometimes it is the only thing that will keep your blood sugars down. Your doctor will start you off slowly so that your blood sugars don't plummet too quickly.

Anyway, try to keep on the diet that you have been given, and most of all try to relax. I am more than willing to help you if I can!!

Please - ask away.....

Best wishes

Caz

Just wondering how you are doing?

Hope you are going ok. :D

Hi Kelli,
Did you get my reply yesterday? Can't seem to find it posted, let me know and I will send it again. Thank you for your support.
Caz

No - haven't seen your reply.

You are most welcome to have my support - I have been through it (and am currently going through it) three times now and it is sometimes pretty draining isn't it!

Best wishes - hope to hear from you soon

Hi Kelli,
Thank you for keeping in touch. I have my levels down to between 4 and 5 now, during the day and after dinner, as I don't have to test before breakfast anymore and only have to test every second day and when I went to see the specialist last week, I was able to give her the insulin back and hadn't had to use it. She thinks because I have coeliacs as well that I have a really controlled diet already and although it is hard not having potatos and rice (I'll be requesting chips in hospital!) the rest of my diet is fine. In saying that she is growing at a rate of knots and I have a scan Monday and a OB's appointment Tuesday and I am going to request that we book a C-section, as it's feeling too risky for me. Did you have your children naturally or by C-section? What did your babies weigh when they were born? Hope to hear from you soon.
Caz

Caz

Just a quickie as I am on my way out!

My daughter was 8lb at 37.5 weeks and my son 6lb 7oz at 37 weeks.

I was on insulin for all my second pregnancy and this one too, and this baby is estimated to be around the same weight as my son was.

I guess, lucky for me, I just seem to have small babies when I have normal blood sugar levels!

Glad to hear you are well and getting great control without needing insulin!

Best wishes

Dear Kelli,
Thank you for that, I am resigning myself to the fact that she is going to be a big baby, they are doing my scan Monday morning now, in saying that I have been having braxton hicks contractions since late yesterday afternoon, not painful though. Definitely something going on down there, kind twitches, I guess she may just be engaging? I am taking it really easy today and back off to bed now, hubby missed his flight from Darwin and can't get back until tomorrow morning. Oh just had a painful twinge, will call the ob. I have gone through and read some of the other questions people have asked you and this has helped greatly with my knowledge. You are doing a wonderful thing for all of us and have set my mind at ease a few times. Thank you!!!!!
Caz

Caz, you are welcome.

I have been through it 3 times now, and I know how frustrating and even upsetting the whole ordeal can be.

Hope that you are well and look forward to reading that your baby is here!

Best wishes

Hi Kelli,
Just a quick one, just got out of hospital, but haven't had the bub yet! Just having strong Braxton Hicks, her head has engaged, so not long now! Had my scan and yes she is going to be a big baby, she is 7 pounds 3 now and I am only 36 weeks, my OB doesn't think I will go full term anyway and the nurses at the hospital that were looking after me said see you next Tuesday when I left this morning, here's to hoping! My levels have crept up a bit, with the hospital food, need to try to keep these down for her. Anyway, just thought I would let you know.
Caz

Thanks for letting me know Caz - glad you are ok!!

Hospital food is not the best for gestational diabetics is it!!

Hope you are feeling ok and that your birth (which sounds pretty iminent) is wonderful!!

Best wishes

Hi Kelli,
Things have slowed down now. I went and saw my OB yesterday I have another scan on Monday to see how big she is and then it will be decided if I have a c section next week or whether I can wait until she comes when she is ready. It all depends on her size. My levels have been in the sixes after lunch and dinner though, not sure why, ever since I left hospital. I'm more hungry too? Any advice? How are you going?
Caz

As far as I know (and certainly based on my personal experience), the further we go into pregnancy, the more insulin resistant we become. Therefore, foods which gave us certain levels at one stage of pregnancy, can give higher readings later.

I am going through the same thing at the moment. Porridge used to give me a high 6 or low 7 result after 1 hour - now it is in the 12's!! Really having to adjust my insulin at the moment and it is really frustrating. I am having to cut out foods all over the place as they are making my bsl's shoot sky high and they never did before.

Readings of high 6's aren't too bad though!! I had a 1/4 cup of cooked rice with dinner the other night and I was in the high 9's 1 hour post dinner which is not good.

Hopefully your ultrasound will be ok and you will not need a caesar. Having said that, if you do need one, it will be a much safer option for you and your precious little girl.

I wish you the best of luck - let me know how you go!!

Hi Kelli,
Just a quick one. My scan went well, she has a nice strong heart beat and now weighs 8 pounds. I am having a c-section tomorrow at 2.30, as she is growing so fast and I have had braxton hicks contractions constantly and ended up at the hospital on Sat morn when there was no movement, my BSL's were too low and she was just in a deep sleep, so a much safer option to have her tomorrow. I think she has grown since Monday also, as my stomach has gotten bigger. Will be interesting to see her birth weight. I will let you know when I get home what it was. Thank you again for your support in here it has really helped.
Excited
Caz

Woo Hoo Cas!!

Cairenn was born at 37w 5d and was 8lb so your little girl will be just fine I'm sure!

Have a wonderful day tomorrow and I look forward to hearing all about your beautiful new daughter!!

Best wishes

Hi Kelli,
We welcomed into the world Ellen-Grace at 3.02pm on the 14th of July! She weighed 7.5 pounds and she is very beautiful well and healthy. No adverse effects from the Diabetes, just a little wet lungs for the first couple of days, due to the C-Section. I have the test in 5 weeks to make sure the diabetes has gone, other than that all went well. Thank you again for helping to get through the last part of my pregnancy a little less worried. Let me know when you have had your baby!
Caz

Should I be worried???

All my life I have suffered from "no thirst refelex". What this means is I don't get thirsty, even when I am dehydrated. However over the last 2 to 3 weeks I have develope thirst. I am constantly thirsty to the point where I am drinking 6 litres or more a day and I am drinking cordial, something I have never ever liked. I have not mentioned this to my gp but only started to worry when my dad commented on it and mentioned maybe I could have GD.

I was wondering if A) I should mention this to my doctor and B) if this is a possibility from what I have described??

Any advice or input would be welcomed.

While at the doctors last night (about something different) I mentioned the thirst thing. I got to spend all this morning having tests done. I wont have final results until Sunday but my gp is fairly sure I have GD. My finger p>8&k test last night (with no food for about 4 hours) was 16. This morning after fasting from 10pm (so about 11 hours) it was 6.2 and my when they put the dip stick in my wee it went dark brown which apparently means lots of glucose in my urine. I am a bit a stressed because this is all still undefinate, um not too sure what it will all mean for the baby or myself for that matter, DP is not being very supportive ("what more problems") and its so early in the pg. I thought GD wasn't a problem until later on?