Gestational Diabetes General Chatter #1

Just to answer something said by Artechim......they use insulin as a preferred method of treatment during pregnancy even for type 2s for a couple of reasons...in early pregnancy they don't know enough abut most of the oral drugs to be sure they won't cause birth defects....this is slowly changing as the drugs are around for longer but will be an issue for while I think...all new drugs have a question mark in this area.

In later pregnancy they are a big no no because the chemicals in the drugs can cross the placenta and actually cause dangerous low sugar levels in the bub whilst still inutero. Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone (even though you are using a synthetic derivative) and does not cross the placenta to the baby so it is much safer to control the mothers sugar levels this way to avoid any risk to the baby. Sugar however can cross the placenta and cause the things the doctor has already told you like a larger baby etc.......it can also cause problems after birth if the mother's sugar levels are not well controlled in the immediate pre birth time span because as the baby's own system starts to take charge to deal with excess sugar the baby can actually rebound and go into a dangerous state of low blood sugar called hypoglycaemia. If the mother's sugar levels are kept as close as possible to normal this risk of this is much less.

I hope this helps explain some of the why I am doing all these needles feeling...hehe ;)

well I started on the insulin yesterday and its a lot easier than actually doing my BSL!
After the initial shock of it I think I'm going ok - but even after the first couple of meals, my BSL is a bit too high so I'll have to increase it
oh well - its only for about 6 weeks

MrsD72 - it's good that the insulin is going well and you're right it's only for another six weeks so at least there's an end in sight. I wish you the very best of luck with it.

My BSL have been pretty good actually I'll be surprised if I require insulin when I go back to the clinic this thursday. The ony time I went over was when i was in hospital a few nights ago and they gave me a finely crushed tablet in a spoonful of honey !! I didn't even think at the time but the level was only over by a bit anyways so I'm sure that's not too bad.

Hope you all are travelling well.

Cindy

Well ladies... I'd like to thank you for your advice... You alleviated my fears of GD and I knew I'd find support here.

I do have some good news for me though... My tests came back clear. I truly do thank you for your help and hope all goes well for all of you and your babies.

Thanks again. :hug:

lol i didn't remember to come back and say what happened with my test hahaha... as some of u would know from the sept thread i got a positive gtt :( by .3 damn it lol... it seems though my diet didn't really need to be changed just the time between meals (which is killing me btw!!!) gosh 2 hours is a long time lol sometimes i find myself checking early and hoping it will be normal so i can eat a bit earlier lol...
what levels have ur gd clinics given u??? i heard someone say 6.5 for after meals??? mines 5.5 fasting and 7 for 2 hours after meals... ive gone over 6.5 many times...i am not overweight and theres no diabetes in my family so i was actually quite shocked to be diagnosed even if it is by .3 fundal height is normal not that thats much of an indication i have heard.. this preg i have put on 7kgs so far.. just wondering do u think i should be worried about it going over 6.5? is that what most ppl have been told? lol sorry for the ramble

Noni, I was told 5.5 fasting and 7 after meals. Even with insulin I am still going over, and I am not even eating as much carbohydrates as the dietician said to. Two peices of wholegrain bread will give me a result around 8.5. It is really getting me down, I am being so careful with what I eat and how much but I can't seem to control it. I had my insulin doses adjusted yesterday but so far I am getting results just as high as before.

Joel's Girl, I am glad you are able to keep it under control - sounds like you are having a stressful enough pregnancy without having to have insulin as well

Amanda Jane, congrats on dodging the bullet.

MrsD72, the insulin isn't as bad as I thought, but I do have some big black bruises on my thighs where I must have hit veins.

thought I'd update this thread too
I am now booked in for a c section on 6th September....mixed emotions about this after my push for a VBAC but its the GD that has brought it on - my BSL just aren't stable enough
oh well

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Noni, I was told 5.5 fasting and 7 after meals. Even with insulin I am still going over, and I am not even eating as much carbohydrates as the dietician said to. Two peices of wholegrain bread will give me a result around 8.5. It is really getting me down, I am being so careful with what I eat and how much but I can't seem to control it. I had my insulin doses adjusted yesterday but so far I am getting results just as high as before.

MrsD72, the insulin isn't as bad as I thought, but I do have some big black bruises on my thighs where I must have hit veins.

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my diabetes educator told me morning levels below 5.5 and after meals no higher than 6.5 - it was hard and I understand about the bread thing too - I can normally only eat one bit anyway otherwise I feel bloated!!
The insulin is going ok for me - morning levels have settled down but its the after meal ones that are all over the place, hence why I am now booked in for a c section :(

arte - sorry to hear your having such trouble with ur levels :(
mrs d72 - sorry bout the c section but just think when ur holding ur little bundle it will all be worth it
as for me i am completely fed up with this whole thing i havn't monitpred for two days and instead of getting up and doing it today i got up and ate 4 sweet biscuits 2 pieces of toast and had a juice lol... and tmw is my appt at the hospital lol... i seem to get normal levels all the time anyway as long as i am moderately active i feel like i am putting tiny holes in myself every second day for nothing and its really starting to get me down.. i talked to the drs about it and they just use the excuse of oh but it might get worse later so u need to keep an eye on it grrrr.. my test was only over by .3 and i keep wishing it was just that little bit less because it seems like i am doing this for nothing :( sorry about the winge i just had to get it out

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mrs d72 - sorry bout the c section but just think when ur holding ur little bundle it will all be worth it

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sorry but I don't feel grateful at all for having a c section
I really pushed for a VBAC this baby (having had 2 c sections) and was pressured by 2 Drs at the hospital to book in for a c section this time only days ago
My main concern about having a c section was the recovery time - I have been very inactive and imobilised through the whole pregnancy and I was hoping the VBAC and the recovery from that would be better
sorry if that sounds harsh but I feel like my body just hates me at the moment and to be told I have to have a c section was the last straw

Can you "tell" if you're suffering from GD? What symptoms are there - I'd like to know what to look out for prior to the glucose test.

:hugs: mrsd72 i completely understand u not feeling greatful for it i am sorry if my response earlier sounded condesending i shouldnt have commented without knowing the whole story :( hope u can forgive me...
tmw i am off to fight for my birth preferences too with the ob who tells me one thing one week and another the next see how it goes i suppose...
mrsr - im not sure abiut the symptoms the only thing i noticed is every time i did tests for gd i felt really sick when they told me there were no side effects to the test dunno if that helps??

I didn't have any symptoms of the GD although they asked had I been thirsty more....
the diabetes educator also said that having a craving for sweet things wasn't necessarily a sign of GD (I didn't have sweet cravings either!)
noni - sorry about my reply - I'm just very sensitive to those types of comments at the moment. Good luck with getting the birth you want :)

mrsd72 - totally understand i probably wouldn't have been as nice about it as you were lol :)
all seems on track for my preferences they are letting me go back to midwife care at the birth centre as long as i see the diabetic dr every 2 weeks and my levels stay stable so fingers crossed!

Well I have been diagnosed with GD so I thought I would come and introduce myself!!

Had my Dr appt today after testing on saturday morning. I definately have it, kinda disappointed in myself but what can I do about it now! Dr said it is only a mild case so there really shouldn't be any problems about levels and everything as long as I stick to the diet that the nutritionist(sp?) gives me on thursday.

Okay now I am going to go look through the other threads and try and learn some more about this!!

~Amelia.

I was just wondering what amounts of insulin other people are on? Both the Diabetes Ob and Diabetes consultant were alarmed at how much insulin I need to keep my sugar under control. I currently take 30 units of long acting at night, and 40,12,26 units of novorapid for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Art - Im currently on 14 units of Protaphane Innolet each night before bed. But I ws told that was a VERY low amount.

Were they the amounts you started on or have they been adjusted along the way? I originally started at 12 units but increased to 14 after a week or so.

Just thought I would sub here. I haven't seen this thread before

I am almost 25 weeks pg with 4th bubba.. 3rd time GD.. I am currently on 12 units night, 10 units morning of novamix.

They are still adjusting my levels accordingly.. I have been on insulin for 2 weeks now.. this is also my 3rd pg with insulin..

Art...that is a fairly normal amount of insulin for your stage of the pregnancy....your pregnancy related insulin resistance is at its peak between about 28 - 36 weeks so don't be stressing about it. As a very rough guide pre pregnant diabetics use up to 1unit pr kg of body weight. Pregnant diabetic women at your gestation use up to 3 or 4 times that amount. It is a very individual thing and has absolutely nothing to do with how "good" or "bad" you are...it is all do with how much of the insulin resistant hormone you are producing.......so if any doc says you are taking too much and is implying you are not looking after yourself, just nod you head and smile and internally tell them to rack off!!
JMHO for what it's worth.

Hi Everyone

Just a quick question and I hope you can help me?

I was wondering whether a gestational diabetes test is standard now? My OB has requested one today for me so I have to get it done before my next appointment on 22 October - I am a bit sick with worry :cry: and wondering whether I have it.

I am 25 weeks pregnant and do eat sweet things when I feel like them - a couple of squares of chocolate after dinner and the occasional bowl of ice cream but otherwise, this Bub is more savoury. Unsure whether that has anything to do with it.

I have no family history of diabetes and I am 29 years old. The OB said that I looked a bit bigger than usual at 25 weeks but Bub measured 25 weeks and 1 day on the scan. I was a big Bub too weighing 9 pound 1 and my DP was about that also. Unsure whether that means I'm carrying a big bubba.

I have no symptoms at all. Will take the test but I guess I'm just worried as I have no knowledge on GD.

Love Bindy xxxx

It is pretty standard at 28 weeks I thought. Maybe your Dr is just erring on the side of caution if you look bigger.. Although if there are no sugars in your urine I can't see why he would want it done now

Good Luck though. Here's hoping you dont have to give up those couple squares of choc:)

Hi , To all you lovley ladies that i hope can give me some advice .
* this is going to be a little long so i appologize *
On Friday i went and had the regular one Hour GD 26 week Blood test . Didnt think alot of it at the time . Monday my Gp rang me and said the results were very High and i would need to get the Challenge test done .
( I am under share care ( im not sure how other states work ) But i see my GP for all my Baby Check up appoitments and have only had one midwife appoitment at 11 weeks to book in to hospital )
My GP is on Holiday went on holiday that day and well the referal tells me nothing . I under stand its a Two hour experiance . But am i Meant to Fast or am i Meant to be on the CARB diet for three days prior . The Hospital & Gp are all an hour way and well im all a little confused .
i have a family history of diabities - my father is 50 , my brother is 18 there insl dependant - my mother ( dec ) had GD when she was preg with me . I had already asked my GP about the chances and she tells me remote ! lol
(Just so u know my GP's comments to me when i go in there firing questions is i dont know whats wrong with you i will refer you to specilist . - 6 weeks and specilist later he told me i had a bleed on the brain that was 7 months ago ) So i would just like to know what i am to expect i cant get to the hospital to get it done untill this friday so i am just at home stressing .

sorry again about the length - first time young mum with little suppourt - all comments apprechiated .

Thanks Aussienic, hopefully all will be okay but we'll just wait and see, I will get the test done in the next few weeks :) I guess as long as Bub is healthy, that's all I care about really.

Little Miss Chez, sorry to hear about the bleed in the brain, how terrible. Let me know if you get any advice back or help regarding the GD advice etc. I can't give you any unfortunately as I have no experience with GD myself but I really am praying everything is ok for you and Bub.

Hugs xx

chez: From what I have done.. for the 2 or 3 hour test. I had a higher then normal carb diet a few days before and then fast from midnight . Not an easy task being pregnant.

I was lucky this pregnancy I said why cant you just treat me as though I have GD and let me get away without doing the 3 hour test and they agreed and sure enough i have it.. Keep us updated on how you go with your appointment

now for a question of my own.. now its a good thing but.... My suagrs are either normal or to low.. last week I went all shaky and felt not with it and when I tested my sugars they were 3.1 and my Bp was also up. I larer got told I was having a low. Now this has never happened in pregnancy. I don't know why i am suddenly going low or staying normal even though they havent changed my insulin. I had a GD app on wednesday and antenatal friday so will ask these questions then as well..

Has this happened to anyone else? I find it strange that this stage of pregnancy is usually when it plays up

Aussienic, I found I would have a low if I took the insulin and then didn't eat enough carbs. Are you eating the right amount of carbs in your meals? I did have lows every few days, sometimes the insulin dose was right, sometimes I would go high or low. It is hard to get it right.

Miss chez, if your mother had GD, you probably have a higher chance of getting it too - genetics plays a big part in who gets it. The longer test is usually the three days of high carbo diet then fasting before the actual test, but give the hospital a ring and they will be able to tell you exactly what to do. Your GP doesn't sound very helpful, any chance of shopping around for a new one?

I think it was cus i was more active on those days. so i have to adjust my insulin accordingly now.. But I just wondered if it was normal to level out when they were in the 8's and 9's and now even though nothing has changed except getting further along in my pregnancy. which is usually when it plays uop more..

I was just going on experience with my previous pregnancies. I have been on insulin for the last 2 and my sugars kept going up and up and insulin dose up and up till the very end. where now I have to lower the dose or stay the same depending on what my before breaskfast and before dinner levels are and what I am doing that day

i just wanted to pop in and say Hi as i was confirmed a gd on friday and another week before i get to see the anti natal diabetic doctor - i come from a family of three insulin dep diabetics so i supected i may be at risk my result was 12 after the two hour test so that screamed confirmed . id apprechiate any advice on what i should be doing i eat pretty well ( tries to ) i still have morning sickness ( arh ) so i normally dont eat till lunch time to try and prevent throwing up everywhere - wondering if this will effect - should i try and keep a dry cracker or toast down for the sake of GD & Bubs health ? I have No energy and i crave icecream ( note to self about the peters light n creamy ) . but cant keep Milk & Cheese down at any time of the day . so advice and comments would be apprechiated .

Hi.. Some questions bout my BSL. I keep dropping to 3. I had my insulin increased last week but after dropping to 2.3 i took myself back to my original dose as I wasn't able to ring the diabetes people due to the weekend. Anyways what I am wondering is I know highs effect the growth of the baby but what do lows do?

I also get very snappy and cranky and without fail I go test and I will be below 4. Yesterday I had 3 times below 4 and only one over 7. which I know is good but I am finding it all so confusing this time round

HI, I've actually been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which, they are calling GD because it was in pregnancy so I went straight on insulin.

From my experience I get lows when I leave it too long between eating, am very busy or don't eat enough carbs with my lunch or dinner. Carbs are the biggest control issue for me. I love them but my body can't handle it.

I'm surprised they have increased your insulin when you are having lows. Mine gets increased if I have two tests for two days in a row that are out of range (over 7).

Great snacks for me are yoplait no fat yoghurt and a piece of fruit or some nuts or vitaweet biscuits with low fat cheese or sardines.

Don't feel bad when you have a low because it does make you feel like sh**. Hope this helps

HI girls

Aussienic
Sorry you've been having some low bsl's - I used to be horrid when I had any lows:(

Hope you can get hold of the diabetic clinic in the morning. Not sure about them increasing your insulin - mine was increased many times over the time I was taking insulin and it always went up when my bls's went up. The times I had lows were when I didn't eat my snacks.

Take care,

Z.

I got a hold of the clinic and they increased my night insulin and dropped my morning dose right down and I feel so much better,

I had some highs yesterday and today but i had my nephews birthday party yesterday and wasn't a good girl with my diet...

Glad to hear your feeling better today Aussienic, hopefully the new insulin dose does the trick. Hang in there - I know how frustrating it can be at times,

Takecare, Z.

thanks! usually it is easy to manage but this time it is harder ..

Only 8 weeks to go

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Only 8 weeks to go

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oh hun, I was only dx at 32weeks and had bub at 38weeks so I had nothing like you've had. Take care, and just think you'll be holding that precious bub really soon,

Z.

Thanks! I was diagnosed at 17 weeks with my 3rd pg and this time it was picked up in a urine test at 7 weeks. they hinted at the possibility I have diabetes in general but seeing as my levels have been semi under control and even low they think I might be one of the unlucky ones who develops it early..

Hi Aussienic, just popping in to let you know my test went all ok and I haven't got GD, thanks for listening to me though and re-assuring me a few weeks ago about my worries, you were a really excellent help to me at the time. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Bindy xxxx

Thats great to hear :) Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy :)

Hi Guys,

I had my GCT on Saturday and had the phone call today to say it came back high and that I needed to have a GTT. As I'm currently home sick from work (Chest infection), I decided I would get it over with and have it in the morning, which the midwife said would be ok.

Rang up to book in at Pathology and was asked 'if I had been unwell or was I on antibiotics' . In true fashion, my dr started me on antibiotics yesterday! The pathology nurse told me that I need to wait 2 wks after finishing my antibiotics course before I can have the test. Rang the midwife to enquire if this was ok, and got told that she would inform my obst. and go from there.

So, I now have to wait for nearly 3 wks before I can have the next test. Anyone else been in this situation?

I don't like the idea of being pregnant and on antibiotics, but as I'm an asthmatic and their is a pretty bad flu bug going around, the dr thought it was best.

I'm wondering if I should actually start making some positive changes to my diet in anticipation of what the result maybe. I have had terrible carbohydrate cravings (and am a sweet tooth) and wondered if I should try and ignore these cravings just in case. It is not going to hurt me in the long run, but will it trick the test when I finally have it?

I hate the idea that the longer I have to wait to take test, the more harm it could be doing to bubs. Any advice?

Lou.

I would just go ahead and assume you have "GD and change your diet.. I am not denying myself things at all.. If I feel like a chocolate I have one but instead of a mars bar for example I will have a milky way.. I drink zero instead of normal coke but I also can't stand normal coke anymore.. too syrupy.

so what I am trying to say is that if you deny yourself everything you crave you will eventually give into those cravings and over indulge. so I am just very careful with houw much I eat...

plus I was chatting with my diabetes specialist the other day and she said she doesnt want me to stop living my life. just be wise about it...

Hi guys I'm joining you for the next 9 weeks as i have been told I have GD with my final reading of 9.5 after 2hrs. My mum has type 2 so I have a pretty good educator/dietition in her.
Can I ask of those who are on insulin what were your BSL's? I'm hoping the Endo will be satisfied with a modification of my diet but I have no idea. How are you guys curbing your sweet cravings?