Gestational Diabetes Chatter #6

[belfie]

Pantha - "statistically" most women manage to control their GD with diet/exercise only - so the fact you're getting great BSL's suggests to me that you're eating the right things just naturally even though you haven't changed your meals, and hopefully you'll be able to control it easily by eating well ! Re a "normal" BSL, well I was told that my post-meal ones should be between 3.5 and 7.5. My endo also said that it's very unusual for PG women to have a hypo (i.e. go TOO low - under 3.5 I guess). My dad has Type II diabetes and he's had some hypos (which were those super low numbers)- so keeps some jelly beans & stuff with him just in case... but he's also on insulin & meds, and apparently that can make hypo's more likely. I'm not sure about the fasting BSL whether that has a lower limit, I'd ask them next time you see them. But certainly I think a very good BSL is in the 5's for post meal.

Re more sugar, well most DE's and dietitians i've seen are of the "sugar-is-evil" variety, so I doubt they'd say more sugar, but it might be about tweaking how much carbs/protein etc you're having. I guess that ultimately if you're not going hungry and your BSL's are great - well that's the best way to be!

[PanthaLily]

Thanks belfie... you've been a great source of reassurance and information since my diagnosis and I just wanted to acknowledge that and say THANK YOU!

I was joking about the sugar... or maybe it was wishful thinking lol.

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Random musing - I've noticed that after washing my hands it's harder to get the blood to come out, usually because my hands are FREEZING from the water. So I sit on them for a little bit lol or wash them in warmer water. Anyone else noticed this?

[~mamaspice~]

Hi Girls!

Belfie sure is a wealth of knoweledge isn't she

it sounds like you are going to controll the GD really well with Diet pantalilly. That's great news!

How are you going Belfie?

I saw my endo yesterday and he is really happy with my BSL's. He seems to think I probably wont need to increase my insulin too much more for the rest of my pregnancy either

Also the Ob's didn't seem overly concerned. he said that the amount of insulin I'm on is very small so it's not likely to have any adverse effects on bubs so all going well, bub will hopefully avoid having to do any time in SCN.

[belfie]

Pantha - aaww you're so welcome! i had so many lovely helpful ppl help me out when I first got it - it's the least I can do! As for hands, yup totally agree. Sometimes hanging your hand downwards and shaking it can help too - gets the blood pumping. What's your fave finger? I find my middle and ring fingers seem to be the least "hurty". How are your BSL's looking so far?

Mama - geesh you two are gonna give me a big head! That's great re your obs, and I agree it is low insulin.

AFM - well back to my endo this arvo and i've been started on 10 units of insulin in the mornings, with a review in a week. Must say that the tummy jab (which I did) was better than I remembered. He thought there was no point going back to the dietician... I'm really torn tbh. I don't really want to go back in case she sees things I'm eating wrong, but on the flip side it would be good to learn if there's anything I can improve. Just something about it makes me feel like a greedy little schoolgirl and that makes me wanna avoid it! But if I wanna avoid Type II long-term then I know it could be worthwhile. I THINK I've been eating pretty ok and I just don't want to feel that it's my fault I'm on insulin. So saying, my endo has reassured me many times that it was probably going to go to insulin (even the dietitian said it too) so in that respect I knew my chances of getting through another 8-10 weeks without it were very low. Plus I really have been eating like a saint. My endo thinks we're gonna be "chasing" my BSL's tho.. hence the review in a weeks time, I guess given how quickly I've gone on insulin, it makes sense.

So saying, I might sneak 2 squares of dark choc (my "allowed" treat for when I'm desperate) given I had insulin tonight and having it again tomorrow morning teheehehe

[Artechim]

Panthalily, it is possible to get a high reading in the GTT which shows that your body is having trouble producing enough insulin but the test is a massive sugar load and I have known others that fail the test but very rarely have high readings with a normal diet. My limits were 5.5 for fasting and 7.5 after meals but they didn't really worry until it was hitting 6 fasting and 8 after meals. You may find that your levels creep up as the pregnancy progresses - apparently it is at its worst around the 36 week mark. It isn't that common to have lows when diet controlled, it is mainly when you start playing with insulin that you can have lows ie if you have enough insulin to ensure a good after meal level, but then don't have a snack the BSL continues to go down until you are hypo. I had a couple of ill-timed naps that resulted in waking up sweating, sick and nearly unable to move because I didn't snack. Also if you take your normal amount of insulin and then do extra exercise you are asking for a hypo (but I was on a lot of insulin)

Belfie, I was always chasing my BSL's, after the first week of stressing that it wasn't enough and they were still going high I started adding a couple of units every time I got 2-3 high readings for a particular meal. My doctors were happy enough for me to do that. Sorry you are back in here, I was really hoping you could skip it this time round.

[belfie]

Belfie, I was always chasing my BSL's, after the first week of stressing that it wasn't enough and they were still going high I started adding a couple of units every time I got 2-3 high readings for a particular meal. My doctors were happy enough for me to do that. Sorry you are back in here, I was really hoping you could skip it this time round.

Awww thanks for thinking of me, I was hoping I'd skip it too . I think I feel oddly at peace now I'm on the insulin - that if I need more insulin I know it's not my fault (even though I grapple with starting the insulin being my fault - which is contradictory really lol). I remember doing something similar last time, I'd just chat on the phone to the DE and they'd tell me to up it by a few units. So saying, I've already finished work this time and still have DS in some care, so I'm finding it easier to fit in all the appts.

[Trac73]

Hello Ladies
I was here in Sept 2008 prior to the birth of my son and here i am again with my third pregnancy. I found out two weeks ago that i have GD and fingers crossed so far i have not had to go on insulin but i can feel it coming. With my last pregnancy i was on insulin within the first week. I have my appointment with the Endo Specialist this Tues and i have a feeling that they may look at insulin at night as a majority of my BSL in the morning (fasting) are above 5. I am also having at least another 1 or 2 BSL through the day over 7 so lets see what happens but i sense the insulin is coming if not now it will be coming towards the end of this pregnancy
I am hoping you dont mind me popping in occasionally for a chat and sometimes just a little advice.....this whole thing has got to me again but i am slowly feeling better about it. I guess some positive's are that i will get to meet bub that little bit earlier
Take care everyone and i hope to chat soon
Trac

[belfie]

Aaaww Trac73, I'm bummed to see you back in here too!! (even though it's lovely to chat to you again!) But still, had hoped you'd manage to dodge it this time! I'm the same, only made it through just over a week before I was on insulin (which I started just last Fri). As for popping in occasionally - BAH! Keep us company . When are you due?
I think my insulin is gonna go up already. I'm on 10 units in the morning and already over the weekend I've had 7.7, 8.6 and 8.1! Plus fasting hasn't been under 6 (even tho my endo says I don't need to do fasting - they still seem too high!). But given I'm already on it, I'm not so fussed if they increase it.

Hope everyone else is having a good weekend

[Trac73]

HI Belfie
I am due on the 12th of Oct so only 11weeks and one day to go not that i am counting or anything lol. This looks like it will be the last bub for us as it is getting harder with each pregnancy.
My numbers are all over the place, majority of the numbers are over 5 for fasting but my post meal numbers are everywhere some are 6.2 some are 7.4 so who knows what is happening?????
How are you feeling? Wow i cannot believe we meet in here in 2008 and here we are again going through a pregnancy with GD. I was talking to SamiH yesterday and she wanted me to say hi, as we know each other out of BB too. Hope all is well. How is your Xander? Chat to you soon

[~mamaspice~]

Hi Girls!

Welcome Trac73, as belfie said, I'm sorry to see that you're back in here but I hope your GD journey is as painless as can be. Just out of interest did you have a VB with your previous GD baby? And was he very big?

How are you doing Belfie? I'm glad to hear that you are feeling okay about the insulin. I think I'll have to go up to 8 units tonight as this mornings BSL was 5.8.

BBL, I'm off to have some lunch then a nana nap for me. I'm finally on maternity leave! YAY!!!

[belfie]

Trac - tehehe like the counting! I'm certainly counting down this time, that's for sure - 7.5 weeks to go for me! I'm also with you on the last bub, a) we only ever wanted 2 and b) this PG has been tough, so i'll be sooo happy to not do this again. Sorry to hear your numbers are all over the show, I really hope they settle down soon. As for SamiH, oh that's too funny, I was looking at her latest pics of her tribe, just gorgeous! Re Xander, he's great. Has allergies to eggs and treenuts which is a bit of a PITA, but otherwise a gorgeous happy little fella. How is Jaylan going? And how are all his siblings?

MamaSpice - oooh congrats on your mat leave, that's so exciting! Have a wonderful time and enjoy your lunch. Shame re your insulin but lol your fasting BSL's are still better than mine!! Last three days were all 6 or over! But I'm not back to see my endo till next Mon, so shall just see how they go. We had indian takaway with friends the other night.. and I thought I'd done ok. I bought the ONLY dish on the entire menu that I can eat, small serve of rice and still got an 8.6 bah! Then last night I tried a gluten free wrap from this new shop I've found... thinking that'd be good, protein, salad, wrap for carbs - finally some takeaway I can have... and it was FOUL. So stodgy and tasteless . I threw it out and made an omelette instead! I seriously need to find some takeaway that we can have for "those" nights when you just need something quick!

[~mamaspice~]

belfie, I find Subway works well for me! So thats what I usually have if DH and DD get some other kind or takeaway or if I'm out at the shops. My latest craving has been the chicken pamigiana one. Just a 6 inch and I make sure I have it on multigrain.

[belfie]

belfie, I find Subway works well for me! So thats what I usually have if DH and DD get some other kind or takeaway or if I'm out at the shops. My latest craving has been the chicken pamigiana one. Just a 6 inch and I make sure I have it on multigrain.

ah see there's the rub... I can't have wheat... hard to find gluten-free, onion-free options that are low GI stoopid food restrictions!

[~mamaspice~]

ah see there's the rub... I can't have wheat... hard to find gluten-free, onion-free options that are low GI stoopid food restrictions!

Oh No

[Trac73]

MamaSpice - yes i did have VB, i was induced at 38+3days, he was born in 1hr and 10mins and he was 8pd 11oz. I have been lucky that both my bubs have been VB and i am hoping that this one will be too. Both mine have been induced also due to medical reason DD preclampsia and DS GD. I am now wondering if i will be induced with this one early too. i am having my appointment tomorrow about the insulin so lets see if they put me on insulin. Parts of me think they may and other thinks they might not, i am a little confused as my BSL's are all over the shop no matter what i eat
Belfie - Jaylan is doing well oter than always seems to get every illness that is going around He is growing up so fast starting to parrot everything so sometimes you have to be careful what you say LOL I am finding it a little difficult at night with him though as he is waking anywhere from 1-3 times and in those times he is looking for bottles to help settle himself off, which is becoming rather draining at the moment cause i just dont feel like i am getting any sleep Brearna is doing well, she started Kinder this year and LOVES it, which is great. She is such a great sister but sometimes in Jaylan's face a little too much so he gets frustrated. As for Matt we actually dont see him anymore as his mother has taken him to Victoria somewhere and to be honest we dont know where he is We are all doing fine here though.

Hope you are both keeping well and i will pop in tomorrow to let you know how i go at the clinic in the morning.
Night xoxo

[Trac73]

Hi Ladies
Just a quick drop in to let you know how i went at clinic today................... well i am now on insulin twice a day pre breakfast and predinner and 16 units each =32units a day was a little surprised at going on 2 lots and i thought the units were alot but the professor knows what he is doing LOL so i didn't go to work today just wasnt in the mood. I am ok about it a least the positive is that i will probably be induced early which means meeting bub sooner ya!!!!
Take Care and i will be in to chat later

[~mamaspice~]

Wow Trac73, that seems an aweful lot to start you on be careful not to have a hypo won't you! make sure you have some lollies with you at all times JIC. What type of insulin have you been put on if you don't mind me asking? I'm on Protophane which is an intermediate acting one so just need the one dose at night.

Thats good to hear you've had VB's with my first I had an elective CS due to PE/PIH, but in hindsight I had a knife happy OB. This time no BP problems but got the GD instead and I'm hoping for a VBAC. Only prob is I cannot be induced because of the past CS so hoping bub doesn't get too big and hoping that i go into labour a little early

[Trac73]

Hi Mamapice
my fingers are crossed for your VBAC i really hope that if you have the chance that it works out perfect for you. I am hoping for a VB this time again, but the truth be known that if i require a CS i will have it as long as myself and bub are healthy
Yeah i though it was alot too but this professor does know what he is doing, i had him last time and he was fantastic i ended up on an awful lot of insulin last time too and required an insulin fusion while in labour. I am on Novomix which i was on last time. I had my first injection last night and my fasting number was 5.6 just above the 5.5 required but heaps better than the 6.8's etc that i have been getting. so todays results will be interesting. Yeah thankyou for caring re: hypos, i remember having a couple last time and they completely wipe you out for the day after it. The hospital actually gave me some jelly beans so they are already in my bag, as long as my DD doesn't find them they will stay in ther lol

Hope you are doing well? Are you on insulin or diet controlled? I noticed your ticker that you haven't got far to go how exciting!!!!

Take Care and i look forward to chatting really soon