Gestational Diabetes Chatter #6

i've been slack, thought I'd better pop in! I've got my folks here atm and it's been all systems go rearranging the house for bubba.

That's so weird about how much insulin you get given, I'm lucky that my endo just gives me some. I went to get some more needles the other day, and he'd given me a form to update my membership to insulin-dependant. I hadn't realised but my reinstated NDSS membership had automatically gone to "I" so I didn't even need the form after all! I'm on 18units in the morning now which is what I got to last time, so with 5.5 weeks to go I think I'll be going higher. I've also used up the disposable pen they gave me so am now on a Novopen which is better, as it will give a higher dose than 18 units thank goodness lol.

Hope you're all feeling good, it's exciting to know that our bubs are getting ever closer. I'm starting to get excited now I have a nursery set-up!

Hi Girls!

Trac, I tried my luck with a little piece of shepherds pie the other night and got an 8.5! Defintely no more pie for me :(

Belfie, that must be lovely to have your folks around.

Well, afm, had a scan today. bub is measuring 3.9kgs already at 37 weeks :omg: he has the cutest chubby cheeks tho :) My DD was born with chubby cheeks too.

I have a birth date! I might keep it quiet for now but it is co-incidently my dads birthday so hopefully a good omen. Lets just say I'm going to be a mummy of 2 in less than 2 weeks time :)

Hello
Mamaspice - sounds like it isn't far away for you now YA!!!! Are you being induced or CS? Who would of thought that shephards pie would make your numbers go up but it did the same for me too. I am looking forward to hearing when your precious ub is born. How big was you DD born?
Belfie - Hope your enjoying spending time with you parents and i can bet little Xander is..... hope you are keeping well.

To all those ladies out there that i haven't mentioned personnally i hope things are well.

AFM - not much is happening here at the moment. Did a little research yesterday about what my levels were like with my DS and at 38 wks i was on 86/88 units of insulin per day 40 am and 46/48pm. So i am over halfway there as i am on 46 units a day now 16 am and 30 pm. Wonder if this one will creep up as high as last time.
I am feeling VERY tired today and really really really want to have a sleep but i guess that wont hapen while i am home alone with a 20mth and 5yr old :(

Take Care everyone and Chat soon

MamaS - ooh i'm so excited for you! Not long to go now, and oh your description of bubba's lovely chubby cheeks! That's so lovely about the date too :hug: but bummer re the shepherd's pie! I haven't tried any, and I don't think I will now lol. I've got a scan (placenta position check) tomorrow at 9.30am, I can't wait to see my little one again!

Trac73 - that is interesting re your levels. I know my dietitian said that cos i was on insulin last time I would be this time.. so I wonder if the levels of insulin get higher each time too? I know there was another girl here (preggie fuzzy brain I've forgotten her name) who was on 120 units of insulin by the end and next PG they were all convinced she'd get GD cos such high insulin - but she didn't even get GD! Has your doc spoken re dates/induction (or c-s) yet? I know my obs once told me if I was on 60+ i'd be looking at 38 weeks. But as it is I'm looking at 38.5 so not much difference really lol!

AFM mum & dad left today and DH is home again. I missed him soo much and he missed us so much - lovely to have him back. I've been feeling very off the last few days, my digestion playing up (my normal problem - VERY upset stomach) and coldy/fluey/something not sure! So am hoping I'll feel ok. Didn't even do BSL's this morning cos I felt so crap I just ate a piece of toast when I could, and slept. Still thrilled my nursery is ready though! and only 5 weeks to go... woo hoo.

Hi Girls, just popping in! Nothing too exciting on the GD front. Been on 8 units for nearly 2 weeks now and all of my fastings have been in the low 4's so defiantely don't think I'll have to increase my dose before bubs arrival.

I've worked out that if I continue testing my BSL's 4 times a day until the birth I'm short 8 testing strips if I don't buy a new box. Seems silly to buy a new box fo the sake of 8 strips though! maybe I will be a little naughty and cut my testing down to 3 times a day :hide: that should about do it. :think:

trac, my DD was 3.4 ki;io's at 38 weeks so a fair size but not huge. I didn't have GD with her though.

How are you doing Belfie?

hiya MamaS - sounds like your BSL's are going great, that's wonderful. And look at your ticker, not long to go now!

AFM well a girls weekend away wasn't all that good for my BSL's, so I'll be upping my insulin to 20 units tomorrow. Plus I did the stupidest thing this morning, and accidentally bent the needle. And seeing i'm SO used to just injecting at home, hadn't remembered to take spare needles with me! So managed to use it bent... but seriously duh! I'm honestly not sure if my BSL's are up cos I've been a bit naughty or cos they would just be going up anyway, so am determined to get back to my normal routine & diet too, see if that helps.

Trac - how are you going?

Hello Ladies
Sorry I have been a little quiet but there is alot going on at the moment in my world LOL

Belfie - Hope your enjoyed your time away... ouch for a bent needle some days my needles hurt and they are straight. Oh My Gosh You don't have long either Belfie. Are you being induced?

MamaSpice - Hope you are doing well, your BSL's sound fantastic and i wish mine were like that.. Not long to go now. Are you going to be induced?

AFM - Wow where do i start. My BSL's have been all over the place so yesterday they have increased my Insulin (AGAIN) and then also added another injection. So now i am on Pre Breakfast 18units, Pre Lunch 14 Units and Pre Dinner 36 Units, i really hope it starts to settle soon... I spoke to my Ob yesterday about induction and he said it is highly likely but not definate, in some cases they will let you go to 40weeks even with insulin, so i guess we will be talking about that in another couple of weeks. According to the growth of bub 2 weeks ago things look good bub's abdomin was nearly at the 70 percentile which is ok as long as it doesn't hit the 95 percentile (like Jaylan did). Bub is of normal size which is nice and at 31 weeks was looking at about 3pd something. I also spoke to Ob about the pain and pressure i have been having and he said it was just 3rd baby. I also let him know that for some reason i am worried about the labour this time more than i did with the other 2, i think this is more so cause Jaylan wasn't breathing when he was delivered and it took them 2 minutes to resus him and Brearna stopped breathing at 3 days old, so i think it is the whole breathing thing that is getting to me and that someone the other day said be careful of Morphine as it crosses the placenta where can make the bub stop breathing, and this was one of the pain relief i was going to use as it seemed to work last time with Jaylan, as i had no drugs at all with Brearna. State of Confusion......................................... ........................................
I finish up work on the 10th of September and let me tell you this will not come soon enough. MY boss let me know yesterday that they wont be keeping my position open for me as i have only been there for 9 months, which is fine as i wasn't planning on going back but it was the way she did it, 3 weeks before i am due to leave lol.
The kids have been completely crazy of late and really doing my head in at the moment, i think it is cause i am so tired and apprehensive about this labour equals less patience plus with work it just doesn't stop. I am soooooooo looking forward to the couple of weeks i will have at home on my own as J will still go to Childcare for the 3 days prior to bub being born but after bub is born he will only go 1 day a week.

Sorry i have drained on abit all about me but i just needed to get it off my chest.

Hope you are all well....TAKE CARE

hi there,,
my name is jo.. just found out today i have GD ..
this is my 3rd pregnancy , had GD with my last one but that was 15 years ago..
have an app 2morow with diabetes group to update me as it has been awhile LOL
i am 27 weeks preg but they measured me today and i am 6 cm bigger like a 30 week preg .. so they have me in for an ultra sound..
just thought i would introduce myself as i feel i will need help from you lovely ladies..

jo

hey Trac, great to read your update! Don't know if you've seen, but MamaS has had her little fella now :D exciting hey.

Sounds like you've got heaps going on there indeedy, and I'm sorry to hear you've got another jab in the mix :(. I know what you mean about straight needles hurting, mine do sometimes too (and oddly, the bent one didn't! I was petrified it was gonna break though!). That's a hard one with the stress about the breathing, I can understand you feeling nervous! I'm currently looking into using a TENS machine, would that be an option? I was petrified of having morphine as no-one in my family reacts well to it, so I avoided it. So saying, I had an epidural last time and for various reasons can't do that this time - so I'm trying to find some options for myself.

I'm intrigued that your obs isn't too fussed about induction (from the sound of it). My obs was wanting to induce me at 38.5 weeks (but I think some of that is also to do with some additional issues)... but informed me last visit that he's away! So then said he could induce at 37+3! To which I promptly said NO WAY! So mine has been pushed back to 39+3 (and equally he's always said not past 40 weeks). I was a bit peeved about him going away (to put it mildly) but of course the silver lining is that it gives me more chance to go into labour naturally which would be vastly preferrable. So cross your fingers for me, I'm going to be doing everything I can!

Interestingly my bub is measuring smack on average size, but my obs declared that she'll be bigger than DS (7lb 7oz at 39+1) which annoyed me... as who knows when this bub will be born, and my GD is controlled as well as last time - so she may not be bigger (and he should know I control my GD ok!). Wow Jaylan was a big boy tho! I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling nervous about the labour, have you thought about having a doula? I know SamiH did last time (as did I) and I'm finding it's fantastic to talk through some of my fears prior to the birth (I have the same doula as last time). I've also engaged an LC already as I am hoping to express some colostrum for bubba to have after birth if necessary (DS was given formula) and we have many dietary intolerances/allergies so would really prefer to avoid bubba having FF if possible. How were your bubs' BSL's after birth? And did any of your bubs' get given FF? (if you don't mind me asking).

Anyway, there, that's my long update in return :D hope those BSL's are going ok! Incidentally my endo told me about a GD patient they had who went from no insulin to 200 units in 4 weeks! Amazing huh.

Take care and belly rubs :bellyrubs:

hi Jo, I took so long writing my update that I didn't see yours! Welcome to our little thread - what timing, one of the girls just had her baby, so there's only a few of us at present. I'm sorry you're having to do the GD thing again. I don't know if it makes it better or worse if you've done it before. Be interesting to see if the way they manage it has changed over the years. Feel very free to fire away with questions. I've had GD (on insulin) with both my PG's and I'm still learning lol. GL with your sizing scan, I've heard many people say that sizing can be influenced by how bubba is sitting, so I have fingers crossed that will be the case for you - have you been consistently measuring ahead or has it just jumped up? I was told at 32 weeks that I was measuring 4 weeks ahead... but then the next visit I was back on track! So moral of the story, don't let 'em worry you too much.
Let us know how you're going after the diabetes group.

hey belfie
had appts today for GD, wow i learnt so much.. when i was pregnant 15 years ago.. they basically handed me the testing kit and said here test yaself .. lol .. today they taught me WHY it happens , and what it can do to bubby..
basically my diet is correct so i am a bit worried cause i did my test today 2 hours after having something to eat and i was high.. so if this keeps up i will have to be on insulin.. buggar..
so did you find it difficult having the insulin?

oh and as for the measuring a month ago i was 3 cm bigger then this time 6 so will be interesting to see when i go for the scan..
i am in agony at the moment, bad pelvis pains .. i had a problem a month ago and midwife said it was ligaments .. think cause of the growth it is happening again.. who knows.. ahhhhhh been 15 years since i was preggy so this is just all new to me.. lol feel like a new mum ...

thanks for your welcome too... and will be great to have ppl to talk to who are going through it..

jo

mysticaljo - oooh wow that is a big difference. I still remember my Aunt-in-law telling me how 30 years ago when she had GD, they did a blood test once a week to monitor BSL's! Amazing huh.

I'm intrigued by what they said - can you give the quick version? Be intrigued to see if it agrees with what I was told. One thing I've really noticed is that different endos/DE's/groups seem to do things quite differently which I find quite bizarre. For example people seem to have different cut-offs and some have to do fasting BSL's and some don't (I'm a "don't"). Re the insulin, honestly it's not that bad. I was freaking out this time - I REALLY didn't want to have it. When I got there I remembered that it's really no worse than the jolly fingerpr1cks! The needles are eensy. Occasionally I get a "hurty" one but mostly it's just like fingers, no biggie. I think the mental adjustment is tough, and doing the first one - then it's fine. I was warned that because I'd been on insulin before I'd probably be on it again - and I was on it sooner, and at a higher dose this time. Tbh, given you had GD last time, I would imagine you might well end up on insulin :( sorry, but sometimes I think it helps to prepare yourself. Apparently often first time will be diet controlled (didn't work for me) and second time insulin. Other things that will help is a walk after dinner/lunch to try bring those pesky levels down. Oh. Just re-read your post and realised that walking may be tricky if you have a lot of pelvis pain. I have pelvic instability this time and am not allowed to do any walking (on feet/lifting as little as possible - with a toddler, yeah right! :rolleyes:), so I haven't been able to practice what I preach at all. Good luck doing your BSL's, I hope they behave for you.

As for me - levels are ok. I've just upped my insulin to 20 units this week and it's working a bit better... but I suspect 22 is not far off (I'm to go up in increments of 2 everytime I get a BSL of over 8). I did notice that it wasn't in isolation though, all my levels were creeping up except for breakfast which is usually in the 4's. I tried baked beans on toast this morning, as baked beans unfaillingly give me high levels, and actually got a 7.1 from them - so I guess it's back to my staple porridge, geez I'm sick of it though! I've been trying to jazz it up with peaches, or strawberries, or blueberries.. or something! I think I'll be avoiding it for a while post-birth though!

Hi Ladies

I just thought i would drop in quickly before starting dinner.

I had my ultrasound today and all looks good, bub is measuring around 6pd which is nice considering i think Jaylan was around 7pd at this stage lol Still not sure what we are having tried to have a peak but i just couldn't see lol i think i am leaning more towards a girl at the moment but i guess we will find out in a couple of weeks.... My isulin has been increased to 100units a day which is alot more than i was on with Jaylan but i guess this is my 2nd GD baby. some days it seems to be good and others well it seems to be bad. I have finished up work now (as of last friday) and it has been nice not to worry about that. It was my first day with both kids at school and childcare and i was on my own...it was quiet it was just heaven.

Belfie - How u going? Do u have a date yet? Your ticker is ticking away quickly it wont be long now....How you feeling?

Jo - How u going? i am hoping that your levels are stable so that u dont have to go on insulin, but if you do a wise person said to me remember it is medicine for the baby. and to be honest the injections are not as painful at the pin*****s......

Well best be feeding the children before they start biting at my ankles. Take Care everyone
Trac

Morning all, I came in last week and posted but my post has disappeared. Anyway I am new to the GD, and had my diabetes education yesterday. So today I have started checking my BSL's and want to ask what is classified as being a too low reading. My fasting BSL today was 2.6 and the booklet I was given says to try and keep it within 3.5 and 5.4. I didnt eat much last night so I am guessing the low reading is due to that. What do you ladies think?

sounds fairly accurate to me csab. I was told that anything under a 4 was a hypo and to eat something ASAP - not sure how accurate that statement is though.

Hope everyone is doing well. I'm 38wk+4 today, so hopefully you won't be seeing much more from me lol
My BSL's have been fantastic lately and bub is measuring on time - no big baby or extra fluids here.

I've got a Dr's appointment next Tuesday... and they still haven't broached the subject of induction with me, so I'm guessing that's when they will.

Good luck everyone! Hope those nasty BSL's stay steady for you all!

Pantha - glad you're doing well :D not long till baby-town now!

Csab - I posted you a great long reply in here but it's gone :( dunno if you had a chance to see it? Re 2.6, that sounds way too low to me - did you feel crappy? I would have thought you'd be feeling hideous that low. I'd be double checking a reading like that (wash hands, pr!ck different finger). Have you been given dietary advice yet? There's a good handout on the Diabetes NSW website with a GD menu plan. My dietician said to go 3 meals plus 3 snacks - to try and keep BSL's steady. So definitely need supper - things like milo, yoghurt, some fruit etc all good. And also a big :hug: for you, it's always a PITA to get started, but it does get easier. Ask away with any other questions (sorry fuzzy brain can't remember the Q's from your old post).

Trac - wow, it's a heap of insulin isn't it. Does stopping work make any difference to your BSL's? I remember my BSL's actually came down once I stopped in my first PG. I'm glad bub is looking to be on the smaller side. And your peaceful day sounds blissful!

AFM, well bubba-girl will be here tomorrow! I'm so excited. Did my LAST insulin jab this morning... don't have to tomorrow as fasting from 8.30am. And I vow to do all in my power to avoid getting Type II. 3 months of this stuff is quite enuff for me! I'm just as excited about the cold ham, sushi, smoked salmon, cheese... oh and getting rid of the crutches! OMG words do not begin to describe the relief that's gonna be. It's funny, it all seems to go on for ages, then suddenly you're at the finish line - it's a great feeling. I'll still poke an eye in here tho and I wish you all the very best with the GD journey, here's to low BSL's and diet-control as much as possible!

Oh and for anyone that's interested, I've been expressing colostrum so I can hopefully avoid baby having any formula top-ups. I have about 30 ml frozen so far. Feel free to ask if you want more detail. I think it's under-sold for GD mums where it really should be presented as an option given bubs (partic of insulin-dependant mums) are so much more likely to go to SCN and need top-ups if their BSL's are low.

:cheer: Belfie! I'm so excited for you hun! You are going to have your little girl tomorrow! :cheer:

I don't think I mentioned it but Brocks first BSL reading was a bit low, but b/feeding him did the trick as his following 3 tests were fine :) no need for scn or formula. Hopefully if you have any issues you'll be the same. Thats great that you've expressed so much colostrum though.

All the best for a beautiful birth tomorrow :hug: I cannot wait to see your BA :)

Wow Belfie, GL for today and how exciting meeting your precious little princess today. A double yay for starting to be able to eat what you want to eat such as the cold meats, lol. Thanks re the BSL, I think it had something to do with not eating much the night before, I only ate a piece of fruit and a glass of milk, yet todays reading was heaps better 4.2. I actually didnt feel any different with yesterdays reading being low, but will definately be trying hard to keep the BSL within normal limits. GL again for today and enjoy meeting your little princess.

Panthalily - Thankyou too, Im glad your BSL's are behaving, and wow not long left for you now. As I mentioned to Belfie, my reading this morning was heaps better 4.2, so will be trying my hardest to keep it within normal limits.

Mamaspice - Hi hun, so glad Brock is going well. Wow 3wks already. Hugs

Well my first readings for my BSL yesterday went like this 2.6, 6.2, 5.2, 6.2, so was happy they stayed within the normal range. lol. Well apart from the first reading. Now lets see how today goes. lol. I ate that much yesterday, it makes wonder if I am going to put on heaps of weight eating like that. Yet everything was pretty healthy like fruit and salads and lean meat etc, so all within their requests, so fingers crossed it actually gets rid of some of the weight. lol.yet funny thing was after eating so much I felt more hungry. So need to keep an eye on that.

well............... i had my OB appt today and it turns out that i do have GD! my BSL should not of been over 5.0 and it ended up being 5.1! so not happy! so now i have an appt with Diabetes clinic or something and will have to start monitoring my BSL 4 times a day!!!!!!

So i guess i am a new memember in this group! be prepared i may have HEAPS of questions! im sooooo worried about this!

:hug: Hj. You were just over on your GTT like me! Fingers crossed you will control it with diet, and if you can, the chances of any problems are very very minimal. I know it's a shock but please do not worry yourself too much about this. And just remember it's by no way your fault either. It's those pesky placental hormones affecting the way your insulin works and you will return to normal after the birth. I ended up on a small amount of insulin. Bub wasn't overly huge, well not like a 10 pounder or anything anyway. He was 3.7kg (8lb4oz) at 38w5d. His initial BSL after birth was a bit too low (a common problem with gd bubs) but breastfeeding him fixed it and his bsl's were back to normal so no need for SCN etc.

:hug:s again. The girls in here are great. You'll get heaps of support.

HJ - Welcome but sorry you have to be in here in the first place. hugs, especially just being over. Such a shame.

Mamaspice - Hope everything is going well with you and your little Brock. hugs

Well the past couple of days have had some not so good BSL's, I couldnt believe one had actually reached 10.4. Most of the time i have managed to keep within the normal range though. Anyway need to keep an eye on this a bit more. i guess I am slowly starting to accept the idea that I have GD, not sure if I really believed them at first.

Hello Ladies
It feels like forever since i was in here last, wow it is very quiet in here too everyone seems to be having their bubs.

HJ - Welcome to the small group......wow just over for the GTT that has to be unfair, hopefully with a controlled diet you may get to stay away from the insulin. The best advice i ever got was that to remember this is not your fault and that everything you do is for the health of your bub. If you have any questions i will try and answer them the best i can but the person who is fantastic with answers is Belfie, so hopefully she wil drop in from time to time....

Csab - i know it is sometimes it is hard to accept that u have GD but hopefully once bub arrives your diabetes will just disappear. Wow at what stage did they pick up your GD? Have you had any other pregnancies with GD?

Belfie - Hope you and your family are doing well with your new addition :)

Mama - Hope you and your family are enjoying your new addition :)

AFM - Well i am on the down hill stretch now, they have increased my insulin again so now i am on 108 units a day. Bub looks like it will be a decent weight which is great as they are not concerned that he/she is too big. I had OB and Endo appointments on Tuesday and i refuesed to leave until i had an induction date, which i now have for next week......as i have friends here on BB i am not stating the date to anyone but just say i will be holdng my bub by next Friday YA!!!! They discussed that as soon as i arrive that they will be putting me on an insulin infusion to keep my levels stable through the labour so once i am there i wont be leaving until this bub is out.... I am excited but also quite scared at the same time as i know what labour feels like and it terrifies me :( but i know i will get through it and hold my precious bub soon. SO probably should get organised now and pack a hospital bag and wash bubs clothes................

Take Care everyone and i will chat to you all soon
Trac :)

MammaSpice - thanks for the :hug: even tho it was over the internet i sure needed it :-) must say i hate my placenta's! LOL first one didnt produce enough progesterone resulting in my needing prog injections - now this one causing GD! LOL - all i can say is thank goodness im stopping at 2! :-)

Csab - How are u finding all the blood testing and diet watching? how long have u been doing it for now?

Trac - How long have u been on the insulin for? was that because ur levels were too high? how many times a day do u need insulin? that thought really really scares me! Also being on a insulin infusion - what does that mean for u? why do u need it for? sorry for questions - just wanna prepare myself as much as possible incase thats me soon!

also other questions
1. the diet - wow by the sounds of it i need to eat more than what im eating - so my gosh am i going to put on heaps of weight!
2. its the carbs that produce the sugar am i correct? if so than im not entirely sure why u would want to load up on the carbs more than one normally would -dosent that interfere with ur readings? so too keep ur BSL lower shouldn't u not eat as much????

i did have my appt with GD lady today - however still a little overwhelmed! my 1st BSL after lunch time fasting was 4.9! guess thats a start!
Im also worried cause i start prac at the hospy soon, so im worried about having to take my BSL on prac - i really don't want to be an inconvience for them! would it be bad to not do it?

Been thinking and im very confused!!!!

If when doing my BSL.... if my 1st one of the morning (fasting) has to be under 5.5 and than the other 3 that i need to do 2hrs after breaky lunch and dinner have to be under 7.0 than how come my BSL of 5.1 has classed me as having GD????????

so i had to ring through my results of the last 3 days to my OB and she said my levels 2hrs after the meals were perfect - and my morning fasting ones were great also however although under 5.5 she said 5.0 or under would be better - she than said to keep doing what im doing - Rolls eyes - does that mean keep testing or keep eating the way im eating or both???? i really don't want to be doing this anymore!

Keep eating the way u are and testing regularly till they tell u to stop, im still baffled like u hun

Hi all,

HJ - My levels have been abit high after lunch, I need to keep more of an eye on it at lunch time. This is just my opinion hun, but I would keep doing the monitoring, and eating right until they tell you to stop. As someone had mentioned before in the other thread that it maybe the pathology that measures differently. They say too that as you get further along it can get harder to manage on diet alone. Just hang in there hun, and maybe at your next visit talk to your ob about your query, or even talk to the dietician and endocronolgist that they have you see. The endocronologist will be the best person to talk to than the ob though. hugs

Hi all,

Just wanted to update you all.

As mentioned I dont think Im doing very well with the lunch time BSl's, had one one day at 13.1, which I was quite shocked about. Yet the fasting BSl and after breakfast BSL's havent been too bad. After dinner BSl's have been not too bad only the occassional ones that have been over. I think i did better the first week.

Well todays scan was ok, was relieved to see that the BPD had come back within normal ranges, still on the small side, but at least on the graph, I think by looking at it about the 10th percentile, way better than like the 3rd percentile. Huge relief. However this time the bubs abdominal circumference has dropped off the graph. Less than the 5th percentile, and bubs weight is sitting at approx the 6th percentile. Est weight is aprox 788gm. Anyhow they are going to do another scan in 3wks time, to see how bub is growing, and I have been told that if the next few growth scans arent very good, then bub will be delivered sooner rather than later. At the moment they are hoping to push it as close as possible to 35-36wks. Yet it all depends on the next growth scan or two, which will be the deciding factors. Ohhh and bub is still breech, which doesnt make any difference for me due to the c/s.

Hi Ladies,
I wonder if I can join this thread - I've just found out I have GD today after having the GTT this morning. My level was 13.5, so not so great I guess. I am feeling a bit down about it as I have had so many problems in this pregnancy that I feel like my body just isn't good at being pregnant. We also had a huge scare with the baby and a soft marker for down syndrome at the 19 weeks scan (we decided not to have further testing and just hope for the best) and now I am wondering if there is any link to GD and chromosomal issues? I hope not, I am already stressed enough! Baby was measuring on the big side 3 weeks ago (in the 70th percentile) so now I feel guilty that I have caused the increase in size.... :(

I'm petty surprised to get GD as I have a healthy diet, however I haven't been able to exercise while pregnant very much as I have arthritis which restricts my mobility.

I will see the diabetes ed person on Thursday, but I was wondering about the monitoring - does it hurt to ***** your finger? I am a pianist by profession so puncturing my fingers daily sounds absolutely awful to me!

Thecolourbrown - Welcome hun, sorry it has to be in this thread though. As far as I know alot of women get GD in pgcy, so honestly I dont think there is a link with a chromosome abnormalty, yet dont quote me on that, but if you are worried just ask your OB next time you see them or just throw the question out to the diabetes educator when you go. As for the monitoring of BSl's, I was so worried that it was going to hurt but it really isnt too bad, they will show you on how to do it anyway, and using alternate fingers. I found out this pgcy that apart from being ana positive which I need to take aspirin (have been for my past 3pgcy's as well, but this time I have been told I have thyroid probs, so on thyroid tablets, then on top of that now the GD. So that was a shock for me too. I am getting used to the idea though, but they are telling me that bubs is on the small side too. I mentioned to the OB at the hospital today, that I think I my body is falling apart this time with everything that has been thrown at me this time, which made him laugh, then the BP monitor wasnt working so he said you are falling apart. lol. So honestly Im not sure my body is liking being pgnt this time round. I think i am just getting too old. GL with everything hun, and try not to be too hard on yourself. hugs

Hi ladies I am new to this thread if I can join in
I was diagnosed with GD yesterday and am doing my blood tests 2 hours after eating now
Doing ok so far *touch wood* but didn't realise I was supposed to do a fasting 1 this morning so I think I will just do 1 tomorrow morning to make up for it.
The doctors suspected I had GD when they felt my belly and its so incredibly rock hard and enormous. At 26 weeks I look like I am full term.
Scanning tomorrow but apparently its no bub thats big its the amount of waters I have thats making me so big.

Hi everyone,

i'm sticking my nose back in here cos I just had my bub (yaaay) and have had GD with my last 2 PG's, both on insulin, so was gonna throw out some info from what i've learned the last few times! Sorry to hear there's lots of new ladies at the moment, but this thread will help give you lots of :hug: and lots of information.

The bad bits: it's a PITA, finger pr!cking CAN make your fingers sore, but it's not too bad, you do need to keep monitoring your BSL's till the end of PG. If you end up on insulin your baby will often have their BSL's monitored from birth (for first 24 hours) and may be admitted to special care nursery. Also if you end up on insulin, they will not usually let you go past 40 weeks gestation. Doing the diet on top of the pregnancy restrictions IS a pain.

The good bits: the diet isn't that bad, it's just about eating healthily and spreading your carb load out throughout the day so you don't get big spikes in your sugar levels - that's what makes bubba's fat. You won't usually end up putting on much weight - both times I stopped gaining weight from GD diagnosis onwards (putting on 5.5kg first PG and 10kg second PG). Injecting insulin isn't actually that much different to the BSL's - the thought is scarier than the reality. IT ISN'T YOUR FAULT! And if you have to go on insulin, it also isn't your fault. Basically the placenta & the pancreas play tug of war and your body is the battlefield.... in essence, cr@p just happens sometimes! Don't stress that you ate too much chocolate/chips/potato/something yummy and somehow mysteriously caused it - you didn't!

To the ladies who's OGTT result was just over (5.1)... basically GD can crop up anytime during the PG, but is MOST likely between 24-28 weeks. Even though you only just met the criteria (and yes, a blood test IS different to your finger ***** test), your insulin resistance is only likely to go up. Ask your endo/DE to explain to you why you really do have it - it's worth understanding why. I also totally get that feeling of "bah, I don't really have this do i?". In essence looking after yourself with GD is all for the baby - you're not likely to be symptomatic... but the issues for bub if it is constantly getting way too much sugars are more problematic for such a little body. So yes, you DO need to keep monitoring to make sure those pesky BSL's don't get higher. There are certain times (can't remember when sorry!) that BSL's are likely to be higher (maybe 34 weeks!?!? :dunno:) so you need to keep an eye on them, you can't just assume they'll stay steady. Because it's a placenta/pancreas thing it can vary by the day...a meal that gives you a good BSL one day may spike you well over the next day even though it was exactly the same food!

hj1981- I would have thought that a midwifery course of all things should be VERY understanding of BSL checking. As for eating more carbs, I found I was having more snacks & more carbs but in steady amounts - I didn't put on weight. You don't want to restrict your carbs during PG cos that's bad for you and bubba, you need a certain amount of carbs. It's different to ppl with Type II (my dad) who seem to limit carbs more than PG ppl do). I know it's a shock to get used to :hug: but you're doing the best thing for bubba. I can totally understand you hating your placenta too! Don't you just wish things would be easy sometimes! Fire away if you have any more questions.

csab - that's an ugly high one hun :hug: just remember that being tired/sick/stressed can spike you... but if you keep getting levels like that I think they'll put you on insulin. With me he said if I had 3 in a week over 8, I'd be on insulin. It wasn't so much about one individual reading but the fact they were all tending to get higher (even though there was still good readings in amongst them).

Trac - I'm so excited... this week for you! Wondering if you're holding your bubba yet, I shall have to go stalk the BA's!

thecolourbrown - aah big :hug: for you too. Let yourself have a cry and get it out (I always have a good bawl or three when I get GD!). As for mobility, both of my PG's I've had pelvic instability issues and just couldn't go walking (last 2-3 weeks of this PG I was on crutches)... so it wasn't ideal. While they say that 10 mins walk after each meal really helps with BSL's, if you can't then you can't. The other things I tried were some stationary bike cycling and some swimming - dunno if either of those is an option? Re chromosomal issues & GD, I haven't heard of anything. Re the fingers... ah understandable! I found there was partic places on my fingers that didn't hurt as much... the calloused pads on my middle and ring fingers seem to work for me. Places that are "out of the way", as they can get a little sore if you keep pr!cking a "high traffic" area IYKWIM.

kat - gosh it's a run on new folks, you get a free hug too! :hug:. As for size, well I had some extra fluid with mine this time too, but not as much as you from the sound of it. GL with the scan tomorrow.

Um I think that's everything I wanted to say. There's a great sample menu plan here (about half way down the page).
Any questions, feel free to ask, I'll answer if I can. Oh and different endo's/DE's will ask you to do different things and work to slightly different numbers. Apparently here in AUS there isn't a specific standard (seems crazy to me!) so for example some of us had to do fasting BSL's and some didn't. Some had to stay under 8 post meal and others under 7.5. And a meal that suits one person may not suit you. It's just trial & error to find out what works.

GL and sending big group huggies :grouphug:

Awww belfie, Annika is just gorgeous!

Hey have you been testing your BSL's since giving birth? I hadn't really except for a couple of times during the day which showed good readings. But i did a fasting pr#ck test this morning and it was 5.7 :dunno: is this normal for non pregnant? Or do I perhaps still have diabetes :( ? I have my postnatal GTT next saturday so I'm :crossfingers: all will be okay.

oooh thanks MamaSpice- your little man is a handsome little tacker too! I can't believe he's a month & 5 days old already!!

As for BSL's, I've been pretty slack, tested once in hossie (6.9) and then again after pizza (always a bad meal for me) and got 7.6. Then I was a bit freaked out, cos they said to test it but didn't tell me what was good or bad!!! So I asked my GP and she said not to worry about testing till I did the OGTT post natally. She said unless I was getting 9's or 10's it really didn't matter, and it's not like I have to worry about excess glucose impacting baby anymore! I don't know about the fasting, but I just did a quick google which suggested that normal fastings are between 4 and 6, so based on that, you should be fine. I know that when i look at my Dad's (Type 2) BSL's, the criteria are really very different compared to gestational diabetes. I have fingers crossed for you to get a lovely normal result next Saturday :crossfingers:

Kat and thecolourbrown - i am so sorry you both have to be in this thread! all the testing is not fun - but im finding the support in here to be great! I have almost made it through my first week of testing!

Csab - keep an eye on those BSL result! i really don't want to see you go on insulin! :-( also i hope bub keeps growing so u don't need that early ceaser! oh and pft on being too old! ur never too old :-)

Belfie - thankyou - u have given me the kick up the butt to keep on testing - for bubs sake - i really hope my levels don't get higher tho! but in saying that i just did a test and i got 6.0!!!!! my highest yet!

MamaSpice - Good luck on saturday! fingers are crossed for you!

Belfie - Thankyou hun, especially for the info. Im glad you told me about how they made you go on insulin with just a few high BSl's in the week. I am quite nervous about it TBH. I have the dieitician on Tuesday, not sure they are going to be very thrilled with some of my readings. I am still having a bit of trouble with the BSl's after lunch. So Im starting not to like my chances with staying off insulin. Im glad you and your little princess are doing well. hugs Ohh I think stress has taken a part in the readings, maybe not a huge part though. Im trying realy hard not to stress lol, but gee its getting hard not too. Ohh I had to say little Annika is simply gorgeous, in that pic she even looks like she is smiling and at such peace. You did so well hun. hugs

HJ - Thanks hun, Im glad you have that kick up the pants you needed. Im glad your doing well at keeping those levels within range. I know the last thing I need right now is going on insulin, I do have to say though, I did well yesterday. lol. Nothing over. Honestly hun, I dont feel old hehehe, just my body is telling me its old I think lol.

Kat - Sorry to see that you have come over to this side, but welcome anyway. lol. How are your BSL's going? How did your U/S go?

Mamaspice - Hows that precious little Brock going? What a cutie. hugs

Well still trying hard to keep BSL's within range, but luckily the lunch time ones are a bit better than last weeks, I guess, but still over. I think yesterday was the best in ages with none over.

Ohh Belfie thanks for that sample menu plan.

Hi all, Well my udate is that at todays hospital appt with the endocronologist and dietician, that I need to start giving myself insulin twice a day. So tomorrow I have to back back to the hospital and have education class on giving myself insulin. I am so not looking forward to it, actually dreading it. The thought is making me feel sick.

I hope everyone else is ok, and managing well. hugs

Hey don't sweat the insulin. I've been on night time insulin for about 10 weeks now and it's no big deal. Doesn't hurt at all and is over and done with in just a few seconds. When they show you how to do it they will get you to have a go yourself, and once you have done that it will all be fine. You will walk out of the hospital without a worry!!

Thanks very much Blackorchid, I think its just getting past the first one. I hope all is going well with you. hugs

Csab - so sorry to hear you've gotta go on insulin :hug: it's true tho it's really not that bad. If you can do pr!ck your fingers (and I know you can do that!) then you can definitely do insulin. As you say the thought is the worst part, especially the fear and anticipation beforehand. You'll actually feel proud of yourself once youve mastered it and it will be a relief to see those pesky BSLs improve. Just think of it as medicine for baby - you can do it:cheer:

Thanks Belfie, May I ask how was your weight gain after starting insulin? The dietician wants me to gain more weight. For the life of me i am trying to figure out how I am going to do that, especially since following their guidelines. I feel stuffed without eating even more.