Gestational Diabetes Chatter #7

[Kimbles01]

Not too bad Kateo - still only having to test twice a day, every 2nd day. If I fail 2 tests I have to go back to testing 4 times daily. I've only failed one so far, that was after an OB appt 2 weeks ago where they booked me in to have an ECV procedure to get bubs turned the right way, and my educator put the high level down to stress (it jumped even higher again 3 hours after eating which was just so weird!!).

But because I've been able to be a bit more relaxed, bubs grew 300g a week for 3 weeks (from weeks 33 - 36) instead of 200g a week, so having to keep a close eye on it, and if that growth stays up high then I'll be induced about a week early...which would mean a baby in time for DH's first fathers day, which is not a terrible thought

I can't wait to hopefully stop testing after! I get 3 days after bubs is born as test free, then have to test 4 times
in a day 4 days after the birth. If levels are lower then I can stop for 6 weeks until I go and take the GTT again.

How long have you got to go before bubs arrives? I use tapatalk, so don't get to see signatures etc...

[kateo]

They are planning to induce me fairly soon. I will find out when today hopefully. I used accupuncture to turn our bubba.
Tests are going well but I don't know how long I have to test after I give birth. I will ask Ob today.

[aussienic]

.
I am wondering if I should express a little milk before bubs arrives in case I can't feed immediately and so my milk comes in.
\

I am not pregnant but just thought I would pop in with a little advice.. I had GD with all 4 of my babies, insulin dependent with the last 3..

I was advised by a midwife to express the morning of my CS with my last and I am glad I did I only got about 4 ml out but when DD was born her BSL were so low they thought the machine was broken so retested her. She was given my milk via a syringe and it brought her levels up..

My eldest was fine but my other 3 all needed time in SCU. DS2 was for a completely different reason to the GD. DS3 and DD both had low BSL when born and DD had trouble maintaining her temp..

My GD was gone within a few hours of having my babies.

If you have any questions I am more then happy to answer them

[kateo]

I have been talking to LS about this and midwife. Both think I'll be OK if I can't manage to express because the GD I have is totally diet controlled. I can't seem to express yet but I've still got about a eek to go I think.
Still not sure if it's gonna be a CS or VB.......hoping for VB

[aussienic]

I only had CS due to DS2 being large and I opted for a CS in the end.. then due to those circumstance we opted for a CS with DS3 and DD. DS1 was a VB.

I wasn't really getting anything either and they gave me an electric pump to use while I was waiting to go to theatre., it took ages and ages but I finally got some

[Bella29]

Hey girls, I am not sure if any of you can help me. I was testing my wee for protein today and instead of protein in my we I had 3+ of glucose. So anyway you will all probably think I am mad but I went and got ahold of a BSL machine and started testing. It was by then 2 hours since I had the icecream that I suspect caused a spike in my BSL and my level was 5.1. Anyway I have the machine for awhile and I wondered when you girls normally test. Do you test just prior to meals or post meals?

[kateo]

Hi,
I was testing first thing in the morning (before brekky) then 2 hours after starting to eat each meal but before I had a snack.
I know from reading here many people have different protocols depending on if you need insulin and how well controlled your numbers are.
I was told to follow the protocol I was on by the endocrine dept at our hospital.
I hope this is some help
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and the excitment of birth.
Kate

[Kimbles01]

I was the same as Kate with my testing, but as it was very stable, m dietician told me then to test every second meal (ie before breakfast and after lunch one day, and then after breakfast and dinner the next), and then every second day.

My levels had to be below 5.5 before breakfast (ie fasting), and below 7 two hours after a meal.

Thankfully since having bubs I've gotten the all clear

[Ladylove]

Hi ladies

I'm feeling nervous because my short glucose test revealed blood sugar level of 8 which as you would know it just above the borderline. So I have to go in for the longer test. Have many people had high readings at the short test only to have normal levels at the second longer test? I'm so nervous about the baby if I have gestational diabetes! I also have low vitamin D which adds to my nerves.

I'm 28 and a bit weeks with my first bubba

[Mollie89]

LL Dont stress about the diabetes, its very easy controlled with diet or insulin.
I had diet controlled GD and my bubba was perfectly fine at birth, and weighed in at 3kg or 6lb 6oz...

[kateo]

I had a high 1st test in my 1st pregnancy but the second test was more than fine......could have been the food (choccie bar) I ate before the test!
Second time around I had slightly high first test and slightly high longer test and controlled GD with diet very easily.
I was highly highly stressed and it is reasonable to be worried but you will get lots of support and know in your heart it is totally managable.
If it was something that can't be managed be super worried but as you can manage it just be careful.
Good luck.
K

[Kimbles01]

Don't worry too much ladylove! My bubs was born perfectly healthy weighing in at 3.33kg (7lb, 5oz). 11 weeks later she's close to 6kg and 'thriving'!!!

[BlackRose]

Hi guys!

Glad I found this thread! I had GD with my first pregnancy. I diet controlled it and didn't require insulin. He was born at 39w2d at a healthy 3.74kg (8lb4oz). He did have low BSL and was in the SCN for the first 2 days and was formula fed thru a tube in his nose to his tummy. But was ok once my milk came in.

Anyhoo, I'm pregnant with #2 and my OB has said I'll have a GTT at 24 weeks instead of the standard 28 weeks. Once I'm in the 2nd trimester I'm going to start testing my BSL like I did for the first pregnancy. I've still got my BG monitor from my 1st pregnancy!

I know I have a good chance of developing GD with this pregnancy. I was on metformin for PCOS and so I know that I definitely have a bit of the insulin resistance going on. I'm also over weight as well which doesn't help.

Anyway, I thought I'd pop in and say hi and introduce myself. While I'm not worried about developing GD during this pregnancy, I don't want my baby to be in SCN this time so am really focussing on that this time round.

Thanks for reading. Look forward to getting to know you all.

xx

[Ladylove]

Thank you everyone I've had a near perfect pregnancy thus far so this has me fretting especially since my OB rang me to tell me even though my next appointment is on Monday.

[Bella29]

Hey girls.

I found this article about GD very helpful in understanding GD and realising that I don't need to stress about it all. http://www.bellybeginnings.com/Hando...etes-Odent.pdf

It is by my guru, Michel
odent, a french obstetrician who was the first to introduce birth pools into hospitals. He is very knowledgeable and very wise. He basically says that none of the treatments for GD actually decrease the incidence of nicu admissions or make any differences to outcomes. They can reduce your blood glucose levels and make you worry about stuff, but they don't really change what will happen to your baby. He goes on to say that basically we should all be eating sensibly and that if we do we will avoid many of the spikes in BSL's that OB's stress about. certainly very reassuring to know all of that.

XX Bella

[Ladylove]

Thanks Bella I will read

[sloane]

hi everyone

this is my 2nd PG & my 2nd time having GD. last time i went on insulin around 30 weeks & was induced right on 40 weeks. i'm hoping to get to at least 30 weeks with just diet again this time, maybe even further.

BlackRose - hope you escape it this time round but if not, at least you know what the deal is did your hospital have certain requirements for the baby going to SCN? i think where i was you were fine as long as you were on under 50 units of insulin per day. i was under 30 so even with a low BSL for his first 1 or 2 tests, he was fine to stay with me.

Ladylove - good luck for your appt on monday. even if you do have GD, it's not the worst thing & i didn't find that it impacted too negatively on my PG.

bella - it's a few days since you posted but 5.1 was a really good reading, esp 2 hours after eating something that was potentially high GI & with sugar. i test 2 hours after meals & also do my fasting levels first thing in the morning before breakfast. hospitals/doctors are different but mine like me to be under 5.5 for fasting & under 7 post-meals.

[Bella29]

Hi Sloane,

Thanks for the interest. I have tested after meals for a few days and basically had pretty good readings. I had one reading of 8.4mmols after a fish and chips meal and I think it is because potato is not low GI at all. I spoke with my midwife yesterday and based on my readings she is happy for me to just continue as I have been and just try to be more aware of the sugar I am eating, mostly because that is more healthy anyway.

xx Bella