I just popped back in to lurk. I had GD last PG and ended up on insulin (only 18 units a day by the end though, so not too high). Someone asked earlier about diagnosis at home by monitoring. I spewed after 1 1/2 hours doing the GTT, so they didn't get a final result but thought I MIGHT have it (plus my dad has Type II), so I monitored at home and had three over 9's quite quickly so was diagnosed that way.
Re what to eat, there's a good guide here - the Healthy Eating for Gestational Diabetes Fact Sheet (PDF) which is linked about half way down the page: Gestational diabetes... Diabetes Australia - NSW
Re the stress, yes it's horrible to start with! I was really upset by it, found it hard to find the time to organise my food while working and commuting. Next time I'd definitely finish work a bit earlier to help spend the time organising food and attending all those bl**dy appointments!!
Re insulin & induction - different hospitals & obs have different rules, but many will talk about induction & regular monitoring towards the end. I was induced at 39 and bub born at 39+1. My obs said he would have wanted to induce me earlier if my insulin was higher. It's definitely worth asking if there's any policy/rules that they might want to follow. Also, again, many hosps will want to put bubs in special care nursery... I was variously told that bub would be in for 24 - 72 hours mandatory. In the end he was in for 24 hours as an "admitted" patient (if going private, your private care needs to cover this) but he roomed in with me mostly so that was fine. He actually had to go back in for light treatment for jaundice for 60 hours which was probably worse. But because I was so psyched up for his first admission, I was much more mentally prepared which helped.
BSL levels - like others have said, different states/hospitals/endo's/drs all go by different numbers which does my head in! In the end when I was researching whether to accept the induction or not, they basically said that yes, GD bubs can be bigger (mine was only 7lb 7oz so no issue there) but can also be bigger size than their organs are developed for - so can sometimes be more prone to have problems with breathing. The other unknown can be placenta function - so I don't want to give you the heebies, but I think it's worth knowing. My endo basically said that more babies that go "over" term in GD mums with insulin can have health probs, hence why they're more likely to not let you go over. Apparently in the past there used to be more problems (including deaths) with GD bubs but now there aren't as many problems cos they manage it better. So it's not to scare you too much, but basically in doing the diet and insulin needed, you're looking after yourself and bub. Plus as we know, the levels are a bit arbitrary and there is a 10% (at least!) error rate on the machines.... my endo said we look at the general trend of your BSLs when we put you on insulin. Apparently to make the machines more accurate, they'd cost $10,000 each lol. So while sometimes it's like ppl are trying to scare you, at the end of the day if you and bubs are healthy, that's the main thing. And even when the monitoring is a pain, at least you know they're taking good care of you.
Re weight - I didn't put on any more weight from 28 weeks, so only put on 5.5kg total (but was a bit overweight start with). I was lighter once I'd given birth than at the start of my PG (yay lol).
Oh and finally, the one thing I wish I'd known before having my DS. Apparently breastfeeding is really good for your glucose metabolism & insulin resistance (as well as your weight any way). So if you want extra motivation for BF'ing, there's some! No-one ever told me that before, and I was a bit amazed when I looked into it.
And the best bit... in the end, you'll have a beautiful bub, and touch wood the GD will have gone away (seems to have for most folks in this thread)... and the 2-3 months of GD that most people have will be nothing but a bad dream. And those ppl who tell you it's nothing and why are you stressed...well no, it is something and it IS stressful but you'll get there and it does get easier. GL to you all
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