Gestational Diabetes Chatter #6

[Crums]

Well the first 2 weeks of readings went fairly well - considering the high numbers I got in my GTT. Had only a couple of readings over 7 and the Diabetics Educator was quite impressed with how I was going. However, this week the numbers crept up and i've now had 4 readings over 7 in a week. Everytime I have a meal (esp if it's something different to what i've normally been eating) I wonder "what will be this reading?" My breakfast readings were going all over the place and only one breakfast seemed to be working, but even that today went over 7 - and all I'm having is two slices of burgen fruit loaf and a glass of apple juice! Two weeks ago the same breakfast was giving me mid 5's!

I dont have a problem going on insulin if I have to. I dont want to put my baby at risk. But it's just frustrating when you have tried so hard and your body doesn't respond the way you want!

So Monday I am seeing the "Endo" followed by Wednesday seeing my doc. I guess I might have more of an idea of where things are heading by next week.

[YoYo]

Hi everyone

I had my GD test today (in Singapore so don't remember how it differs to home!) and although the ob says I don't HAVE GD, I'm in the 'in-between' group.

He has told me to watch my diet..mainly carb intake and sugar obviously.

Can you give me some tips on things I should watch going into my mouth!?

TIA

[Elenia]

Hi Everyone,
well second bub on the way and I have GD. I am 24.5 weeks along and trying to get a hang of this. I had oatmeal for breakfast with a 1/8 cup of peaches and 1/2 cup low fat milk. And my numbers were 8.4. So way up! The only thing is, I had some tea when i got to work (I never get time at home) about an hour later. Does anyone know if this could raise my glucose? Or am I doomed to not even be able to eat oatmeal for breakfast.

Any help would be great.
Thanks.

[sloane]

elenia - i'd say it was more likely to be the peaches that the oatmeal that sent your levels up - were they fresh or tinned? but then again, everyone is different & certain foods will send one person's levels up, but not anothers. i think some people can get away with a tea but others can't - i used to wait until i'd tested at work & then have a cup of tea/coffee (but i had a long drive to work so i was pretty much ready to test when i arrived, which made it easier!). i think it's all a bit of trial & error - maybe try cutting out either the peaches or tea tomorrow & see if that helps.

MiniMax - how are you going? sorry - i haven't popped in here for ages! hope you've been going okay. if you're still looking for info, let us know!

Crums - hope you're going okay too

[Elenia]

Hi Minimax,
I found this site to be quite good as it also gave a sample menu plan. I know you said you dont have GD but I assume that you want ot follow the same guidelines. Hope this helps.

http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/...ESTATIONAL.pdf

Sloane,
Thanks for the info. Yes I thought it might be a process of elimination. I am having a large amount of trouble working out what i can and cant eat so this is not going to be fun. I am also gluten intolerant (to some extent) so some food options are not even in my list.

[Crums]

MiniMax, I found pasta dishes to be fantastic for my readings. Do you have to take readings? Or just watch the diet?

Elenia,How have your breakfast readings been going? I found that breakfast was my worst meal of the day. Everything I tried I would get high readings for. Insulin made it so much easier.


As for myself, it's been a stressful time. I went on insulin which really took that pressure off. Up until 36 weeks however, my breakfast insulin went up as my readings started going over 7 again. After 36 weeks, everything evened out and was looking good. Then I was in a car accident and was taken to emergency at the Royal Melbourne, followed by 2 days observation in the Women's. Baby was fine and monitored daily with CTG. I had a little bruising and was shaken, mainly relieved that the baby was ok.

So now i'm 37 weeks pregnant and today had another CTG (just to check the baby is still ok with me being on insulin), but it didn't go so well. Baseline reading was fine, but the baby wasn't very active for them to see fluctuations. So next week I go in to do it all again. Then I see the doc on Wednesday where she will picking which day to book me in for induction (which looks like either next Friday or the following Monday).

In the mean time however, my readings have been a little over the place. I went Hypo on Wednesday and I woke up with a fasting reading of 4 today. I'm really feeling like the sooner we seperate the better the both of us will be!! Think I better get that bag fully packed!

[Elenia]

Hi Crums

Thanks for asking. Actually it isnt going too badly. As long as I avoid the wheat products they keep suggesting and that I keep trying to alternate with.

My fasting morning one is still borderline. So I think that one will be taken out of my hands (it was last time too). As for the day. If I eat my normal breakfast of 1 pc rye toast and soemthing with it I am ok. I then avoid drinking my morning tea until I have my reading and that works better. As much as the oats is supposed to be best it is giving me a horrible migraine and I am borderline with or without the fruit on it. So I will avoid it. As for the rest of the day i am fine actually. I have had a bit of cake at some parties I went to and my readings are still great. So we will see.

I am sorry you are having a rough time of it. And it is no wonder you are stressed and your levels are all over the place. The worry of the accident would be very detrimental to keep your stress down and to keeping your readings sane. It is very good that you are both well. And dont worry I can understand wanting to bring the baby out early too. Sometimes it just feels like you will have much more control if you can hold them in your arms. Better start packing!!! Try to relax. I know that is easy to say. Find a good book. And let nature take its course. You are almost there.

[Caramello]

Hey everyone,

Had my GTT done on Saturday - and the nurse rang this morning to tell me I have GD. I'm 26 weeks as of yesterday. Just introducing myself so I can subscribe to this thread.

[Caramello]

Hi Becci,

IVF baby + donor baby + me over 40 + GD + BP (at one stage, not currently) = Obstetrician that is supportive but slightly nervous.

[Becci]

Well yes I can certainly see how your Obs would be nervous. Do whatever you think is good for you and baby Possum. Glad Ob is supportive, makes all the difference. Goodluck!

[belfie]

Seachange - that is an extra-special bundle you have onboard there, I can see why there's a few considerations. GL with working out what will be best for you and getting the VB you want. I would recommend checking if they'll be putting induction on the cards due to insulin - as Becci said, it becomes quite standard. And obviously induction takes you down that intervention path anyway, but being prepared does help - I found that working with my doula to prepare for the induction was very empowering for me - making the best decisions for me and bubs while still incorporating medical considerations.

Hope the insulin is not still making you feeling yucky. Has it settled down now?

[MrsBump]

Hi all,

I too have been diagnosed with GD but i was wondering could my levels been effected because i was stressed?
My fasting level was 4.0,
1 hour 7.2
2 hours 8.9 (at peak of stress here)

should i ask to be re tested?

[Caramello]

Thanks Belfie, Artechim and Jewel for letting me know about your experiences. I wanted to know because my Obstetrician has been pushing a little for a caesarian, and I'm resisting. I want to have a VB if its possible. Also, I had a really big chat with a friend of mine who also had GD through her pregnancy, and works as a teacher. She basically lessed some of my anxieties. I'm going to try for 35 weeks, but I agree that the food and particularly the blood tests are a PITA. Especially when I have sticky beak year 11 students coming to have a look what I was doing (I had to do the test in class and thought I was well hidden) and then hold a discussion about what I was doing.

My Endo and Dietician can't seem to manage to be on time, so I have basically given up working on Fridays - which is the only day that they are available. This is helping a little, although having to wait around for almost 2 hours is frustrating. Even the receptionists were having a giggle about how long it took. And of course they completely stuffed my timing with food and I got a high reading

One of the benefits of this is that my husband is a type 2 diabetic. He's obviously been a little lazy with the food he's been eating, because now he is forced to eat what I do his readings have been so much better

The other good thing is that I had an ultrasound this week and Squishy (bubs) is in the 50th percentile. The Obstetrican was really happy with the results. He's not sending me again until week 36.

I've been put on insulin overnight as my fasting readings would not go down. Had the first lot last night and felt very weird this morning until about lunch time. I hope this feeling is only a once off.

Ajmum - glad your readings came down, I hope this continues.

belfie - no idea about testing. I just know that my Obstetrician wanted it early due to my PCOS and family history.

[Becci]

Hey Possum I probably should read back a bit and see what your story is but I'll comment anyways.

Why are they pushing for a c/s? I've had two GD babies, ended up on insulin for both of them, and while I had to be induced at 38 weeks (a given here once on insulin) I didn't have to have a c/s. Both were born naturally (other than the induction).

[Caramello]

The same breakfast gives me 5.8 right up to 7.3 - even before the insulin. But yeah - drives me crazy!

[~mamaspice~]

well, I found today that the same breakfast I've had a few times before (which usually give me about a 5.1) gave me a 7 today!
And yesterday morning my fasting BSL was 5.6 and every other day it's never been over 4.9
At what point do they like to start you on insulin Seachange?

On a side note I was speaking to a teacher at DD's kindy this afternoon and she told me that her sister has had GDM with the last 3 or her 5 pregnancies. Apparently baby # 3 was born weighting 14 pounds! (and born vaginally) mg: And her 4th and 5th were both born at about 33 weeks and already weighed 7 pounds. Holy dooly . . .

[Caramello]

I think thats what drives me to distraction - you cannot predict what your BSL will be with any certainty.

I am taking overnight insulin - started on the 14/05 (week 29), as my fasting readings were high. The dietician told me that the slow release insulin would keep working until lunch time. The decision was reached after a meeting between my Endocrynologist, Obstetrician and Midwife.

Hooly dooly indeed! I think thats probably why the Obstetrician is pushing for a caesarian - I am definitely being monitored as I have an ultrasound at 32 weeks and again at 36.

[belfie]

On a side note I was speaking to a teacher at DD's kindy this afternoon and she told me that her sister has had GDM with the last 3 or her 5 pregnancies. Apparently baby # 3 was born weighting 14 pounds! (and born vaginally) mg: And her 4th and 5th were both born at about 33 weeks and already weighed 7 pounds. Holy dooly . . .

If it's any consolation, with GD these days usually because it's picked up & monitored well - there's not the same issue with huge babies. I know most of us in here who've had it with previous pregnancies have had perfectly normal size bubbas. My fella was 7lb 7oz at 39 weeks - so nothing too drastic at all!

Also, regarding insulin different places seem to do it slightly differently go figure huh. I know with mine that I got told once I'd had more than 3 readings over 7.5 or 8 (I can't remember exactly sorry). My endo said it didn't matter so much the three readings but it was also the general trend... everything was going higher and higher. And sometimes no matter how well you eat, it's the hormones & placenta doing the nasty on those readings. Soooo frustrating when you get different reads off the same foods.

GL to you both, I think you're both doing a fabbo job and I know how annoying it is!!!