Gestational Diabetes General Chatter #5

Trac - Glad to see your feeling better.
I didn't know anyone with GD either, but my good friend is Type 1 and my mum is Type 2 9last couple of years) so at least I could talk to them.
I was measuring bigger too (but I am overweight but dr didn't take that into consideration). GD pregancies tend to have lots more fluid too.
Tiredness and lightheadedness could mean low numbers. When you feel like this take your levels and see. If they are low follow your hypo plan.
Yes stress can affect your results, so can illness (usually infections though).
Apparently exercise can help your levels but I found it too hard to walk too far when I was heavily pg so can't comment there.

Hi Girls,

Trac - My DH can't attend any of my appointments either so only knows of what I tell him. So I totally understand :hug:

I don't know anyone who has had GD either so I kind've feel alone not being able to talk to anyone who has gone through it. Thank god for you girls.

Had a check up at the hospital yesterday. My fundal height has always measured right on target but when the Ob measured yesterday he said I was measuring around 39 wks. I was thinking omg what a big baby. They wont send me for sizing scans coz I have to have a caesar anyway. I was hoping to go for a scan (just so I could see my bubba again). I saw a midwife after I saw the ob and she measured me again and she only measured 37wks so I dont know which one is correct.

Well only 2 1/2 wks til I meet my little bubba and hopefully stop testing for GD :dance

Better go, hope you're all well!!!

Hi Everyone
Becci - in regards to the hypo that is what i thought too but the problem is that my levels are usually high when this is happening. I spoke to Diabetes Professor and he seemed to just flob it off and not be overly concerned.:wall: I have to call the diabetes educator tomorrow about my levels over the past couple of days since they have increased the insulin. I have a funny feeling that they are going to increase it again as numbers are still not stable and i have not had a fasting level on target as of yet. I am with you Becci it is to hard to exercise being this pregnant, as the pain in just unbearable so it isn't worth it. The diabetes educator suggests chair excerises but didn't really go into it so can anyone else suggest any?
Leigh - not long now, bet the worst thing is the waiting time knowing that it is so close until you get to hold your precious baby. So are you organised with everything for when bub gets home? In regards to Dh's it is really hard for them to understand the whole concept as much as they try. Not many books tell them about the pain and being uncomfortable let alone the information that we gain from our doctors, OB, midwives and diabete educators. I think they try to understand but just don't get it. My other problem is that my DH will not read anything and that also makes it hard.:wall:
Looking forward to talking to you all soon

trac, you will definitely feel tired light headed and generally off with high sugar levels. this is for a couple of reasons...one is that your kidneys are madly trying to flush all the excess out and all the extra weeing makes you a tad dehydrated.....plus when you dont have enough insulin to metabolise the sugar it cant get from the bloodstream to the muscle cells and other body cells where it is needed for energy...hence your blood sugar is high but your body cells may actually be quite low in sugar so you feel tired and lacking in energy.

your professor is prolly not conecerned as this is a common occurenec for diabetics and sometimes they forget that gestational D's are new to all this information.

but in any case what you are feeling is perfectly normal if your levels are out of whack...unfortunately the only real advice i can give is that you have to just ride with it and get lots of water - even more so than normal cos your kidneys will be flushing a lot out - and rest.

One of the back copies of diabetic living had some great chair exercises aimed at older people with type2 but would probably be ideal for your situation...i will try and find them and post back for you....

Have you looked at any of the low GI books for diet tips...don't want to reinvent the wheel if your DE has already covered this but low GI is the way to go at this stage...

That makes sense about he high levels Melbel. Thanks for the info.

Hope everyone is going great today.

hi everyone,

Trac, good luck with the high levels, and sorry to hear you've got GD. I saw your post in the m/c thread so glad to see you found this thread too. I won't add anything to the suggestions from melbel & the others (they're a wise lot!) but re being induced at 38 weeks I have a comment to add. I was told that it was hospital policy to induce at 38 weeks for any insulin dependant mums (which freaked me out a little). However, in the end, it seems to vary a bit by hospital & obstetrician, so I didn't need to panic after all. I discussed it with my obs and he was happy to negotiate, but did say that the more insulin I ended up on, the keener he would be for me to be induced earlier. In the end I was induced at 39 weeks exactly (was going to be 38+5 but got delayed) and bubs was born at 39+1 (weight 7lb 7oz) and I was happy with both the birth and his weight/condition at birth. I'd definitely be talking to your hossie/obs to see what they're suggesting/thinking. So saying, they might hedge their bets a bit to see how you're going too (re blood pressure, size etc).

Oh and as for meal plans, the diabetes NSW have a good PDF of a GD meal plan - I posted it further back in this thread (sorry I won't go back & fish out it as my little fella is waking for a feed).

Leigh26 - that's awesome, not long to go now! Can't wait to hear your announcement :D

Hi to everyone else :hello: I hope you're all doing well.
Cheers,
Belfie.

Hi All

Melbel - That makes so much sense about high levels. I must say that when my levels are around the 7 - 8 mark i feel like utter crap, but with the tiredness it is becoming all the time so i think that is more to do with the pregnancy and the stage i am at.
Belfie - Thanks i plan on talking to them at the hospital next Tuesday so then i know what the plan maybe in regards to the induction and if they will do it 2 weeks early.

AFM - Well i had my growth scan yesterday..... bub is measuring at 5pd 9oz and should be around 4pd 11oz. So they are saying that bub is the size of a 35 week old bub rather than a 33 week, so 2 weeks isn't bad i guess. I was absolutely amazed witht eh ultrasound as they were able to do it in 4D, we got some pictures showing the profile of bub's head, it's hand and foot near it's face (very cute...must be growing a circus bubba). DD is so excited now that she has been able to see a bubba in my tummy rather than just a black and white skeleton. I could already see that i think bub is going to be similar to my DD as bub's forehead was that perfect round head just like she had when she was born. Bub is still in a breach position but has not engaged bum down yet, so hopefully it will turn soon. Like i said to my DH last night why wouldn't it be breach everything else is happenig with this bub at the moment. as for my GD they have increased my insulin again to 22 units in the morning and 30 units in the evening. I am really crossing fingers that this will help stabilise my levels as they are still all over the place, but i guess it is just the waiting game now. Still in shock that my bub could be here in 5 weeks and if not it is only 7weeks away...WOW where has time gone.

I hope everyone is well and taking care of themselves

hiya

welcome Trac - a few pointers try not to stress or panic you are doing great. Your insulin amounts may seem very high but they aren't to bad. Try and stick to low gi foods, eat at the same times helps stops hypos. So for me i would eat breakfast at 8am do my glucose at 10 then have a snack. Eat at 12, test at 2, snack at 3 and then dinner at 6, test at 8 and snack at about 9ish.

As your insulin goes up you could find that your glucose levels can drop really fast - i use to have alot of hypos around 5:30 and especially if i didn't eat at 6pm. Keep your jelly beans handy. i had a pack beside my bed, in my hand bag and a stash in the kitchen. Oh a bottle or two of lucoaid i think it was in the pantry. They bounce you back pretty fast.

If you google low gi recepies or diabetic recepies there is alot that of receipes etc. Its all trail and error though. Dispite being on high insulin etc i still ate birthday cake if it was a family birthday etc. I would jsut put a note down and only have one piece or half a piece.

Oh and i would recommend reading back all the posts in this thread. There will be more pointers there, stories etc. I think somewhere there i posted a long long post about my journey. To give you an idea at what insulin amounts i was on at 33 weeks here they are:- 18 before breakfast, 20 before lunch, 22 units before dinner of novorapid & 54 of Protaphane before bed. I also had a problem with my fasting which brought me on the GD journey in the first place in my last pregnancy with Isaac. This pregnancy i am nearly 22 weeks pregnant with twins and it was so far so good.

Good luck and lots of hugs, i know you can do it.

Ladies - well i've checked my fasting levels a couple of times since my last glocuse test. They were really good being around 4.5 - 5. The last two times they have been close to 6 which isn't a good sign. I thought i had won but doesn't look that way. I was doing so well. Oh well i have another glucose test at 26 weeks which is just over 4 weeks away. I may have to do it sooner if it keeps climbing.

Angel

Hi Girls,

Hope you're all well.

Well, I was booked into have my caesar tomorrow (at 38 wks) but I end up going into labour last Sunday 26/10/08. I have a new baby girl, Lara Jade. She was 2.7 kg so GD doesn't always make your baby bigger. At my 35 wk check up I was measuring 39 wks (when the dr measured the fundal height with the tape measure) so I was expecting a big baby, plus everyone was telling me I was huge. She is so tiny and is only 42 cm long.

Lara spent the first 24 hrs in special care just so they could monitor her sugar levels, they were fine. The midwives also checked my sugar levels for the first 3 days too. Mine were great. I was even eating junk coz my visitors bought me chocolates etc.

Better go

Leigh26 - congrats on the arrival of Lara :cheer: I think it's great you've said about the size, as lots of people get told bubba will be big when it won't necessarily. That's interesting re checking your BSL's and great to hear that they were good. My endo told me not to bother after birth, and none of the middies made me check it either (i've checked it once out of curiosity at home).

Angelraez - gosh it's been quiet in here hasn't it. All the best for your next test, I'm crossing my fingers for you.

Trac73 - I hope you're going ok, it can be hard getting used to the changes to start with. Plus it goes through stages of "activity" in here depending on how many people currently have GD! But there's always people to answer any questions/support.

melbel, snowchickie, becci - hiya to you all, I hope you're all going well.

I haven't had my follow-up test yet, but i've been feeling fine which I assume is a good sign. I tried to give my dad the rest of my packets of unused lancets and testing strips but he wouldn't take them - saying I should keep them till after my next GTT. Hmmph I'm sure it'll be fine so I wasn't impressed when he was worried. I guess that's what Dad's do though! My little fella is going great - he'd gained a whole kilo on his birthweight by 4 weeks so that was great. Breastfeeding is a challenge which varies by the day/hour but we're hanging in there.

Cheers,
Belfie

Hello

Wow it is very quiet in here but that is also good that maybe not many people are suffering from gestational diabetes...how lucky!!!
Well just a quick update they have increasedmy insulin again which is a little frustrating as i am now wondering when it will ever stop being increased. I also had my first HYPO yesterday which was a little scary as my level had dropped to 3.6, but after a drink of juice and a sandwich within half an hour i had my level back up to 6.0. which i thought was good. It did take alot out of me as i was tired afterwards and had a headaches. Trust it to happen yesterday i had so much to do as it was my DH birthday but in the end i had everything orgainsed as we had family over for dinner. Well i have another growth scan on Monday to see what bub is up to (GROWING BIG I CAN FEEL IT). Then on Tuesday i have my appointments with both the diabetes doctor and OB's so i think that they will then make a decision on when i will be having bub. I think it will be in about 3 weeks at 38th week rather than 40 weeks. I also think the decision will be made whether i can have a natural induction or need a c/s due to bub's size.
Well i hope everyone else is well. Take Care and look forward to hearing from you all soon.
Trac

Hey everyone.
I hope you're all going fantastically!

Leigh - Congratulations on your little princess!!! What a cute name. I'm glad her BSL's were fine and everything is great.
The first thing I thought of when I found out about the whole diabetes dealio was that I'd have a massive baby. Lol. I generally make bigger babies anyways mostly due to my DP and his build/height, etc.

Belfie - Go your little man's weight gain. That's fantastic! My bubbablue is a chubba. Hehe. He's going great too. :) I think that is what Dad's do too, even though it does put a damper on things alot of the time.

Trac - Good luck with your scan! I hope it all goes great! Are you hoping for a natural birth or doesn't it matter? I hope you get the outcome you want.

Angel - :pray: your next test comes back alright.

I really need to get my motivation back that I had while I was pg - re: eating, exercising, etc.

Hope you're having a great day!!

hiya

my next test is 2 weeks away and i'm a little nervous about it.

Congrats on your little princess Leigh - love the name.

Hi to everyone else. Just thought i would drop in with a quick message.

Angel

Hi everyone...I was diagnosed with GD yesterday. :( I did the test early due to a family history so I have developed it early in pregnancy. Saw the diabetes educator and dietician at my hospital yesterday and have started testing my BSL. Go back in just over a week to see the nurse to see how I'm going. So far so good, but think all the planning ahead is going to do my head in before too long. I have only tested 5 times so far, but my highest reading has been 6.2 and that was after dinner last night. Hopefully I can keep it down and not need to go on insulin.

Hi Megan,

Nice to have you here, but sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with GD. Your BSL's sound really good which is great, and it's good they've picked it up nice and early for bubba's sake (even though I know it means you're putting up with it for longer). It is hard to get used to at first but you get better at the planning ahead as you get used to it. Good luck with it and ask any questions you have. I had HEAPS of questions when I was first diagnosed and the girls in here were great! :clap:

angelraelz - aaw hun I'm sending you good luck vibes for that test!

Tennykins - good luck for the motiviation - I need to do the same! I've been having a bit of a free-for-all when it comes to food :redface: Luckily BF'ing has meant i haven't actually put on any weight... just haven't lost any either!

Trac73 - gosh it's getting close for you. Good luck with your appointments. In my opinion I'd be very wary of going for a c/s based on size "estimation" as it is only that... an estimation and I would have thought they'd want some pretty concrete reasons to go for a c/s (unless you have your own reasons for a c/s of course). My obs said that growth scans can be 20% out so he wouldn't base our course of action on that as it's too inaccurate. Anyway all the best with it and let us know how you go - at the end of the day, main thing is that you and your beautiful bubba are healthy :)

Cheers,
Belfie

Thanks Belfie :) It is taking a bit of getting used to. It's not the actual diet I have struggled with, just the no eating for 2 hours after a meal before I test my BSL. I wouldn't normally eat then, but I think it's just because I know I can't that I want to!
I had a reading of 7.1 last night and 5.7 this morning and I was so annoyed with myself. I know it's barely over what it should be, but I don't know what I did for that to happen.
I have found my BSL after breakfast and lunch is always lower than my fasting BSL which I thought was weird. Anyone else had this happen?

Hi Girls,

Megan - Welcome to our group, sorry it couldn't be for better reasons. Like Belfie said, the girls in this thread are great and full of information, I had plenty of questions to ask as well when I was first diagnosed. I too didn't struggle with the diet but the fact that I couldn't eat for 2hrs after a meal until I had tested annoyed me, only coz I knew that I wasn't able to eat. On some days my breakfast and lunch bsl was lower than my fasting as well. Don't beat yourself up on getting a 7.1, that's still pretty good. I guarantee that you could eat identical meals two days in a row and never get the same readings. Just try and stick to foods that you know work for you. I found I was eating the same things practically day in, day out but coz they worked for me I didn't care.

Well Lara is 2 wks old now, I can't believe it. Also I've been eating quite a bit of junk food, I know I shouldn't be but after not being able to have it while having GD I have been kind've indulging. I am nervous about going for my GTT in about 4-6wks time. I am so scared that it wont have gone away. Haven't tested myself since being out of hospital.

Angelraelz - Good luck for your test, please let us know how you get on.

Trac - Good luck at your growth scan. I never got to have any growth scans. Let us know how you go.

Better go, hope you've all had a great weekend.

Hello Ladies

Tennykins- Yes i am hoping for a natural birth but if i am advised to have a c/s then i guess i will do what ever is best to bring my babu into this world safetly for both them and myself.

ANGEL- Goodluck wiht your next test keeping my fingers crossed that it comes back negative.

MEGAN - Sorry to hear that you have GD, i am keeping my fingers crossed for you that you do not have to go on insulin also. The ladies in here are excellent and really have a heart and answer any questions you may have as well as just listen. Goodluck with everything.

BELFIE - I am only going to be advised with what the OB suggests. I really really really dont want a c/s as i am hoping for a natural like i did with my first bub but i am also scared that if bub is too big which they are saying that bub is that it may get stuck and i would then need an emergency c/s which is definately not the way i would like it to happen. In the PAML thread i have asked you a few questions in regards to Xander's birth and both of your health afterwards. Would love to hear from you when you get a chance.

LEIGH - I am like you i cannot wait until i have this bub so that i can have some chocolate and a little bit of junk as i have not been able to have any since the diagnosis. I hope your are enjoying your little one as they grow so quickly which isn't fair.

AFM - Well i had my growth scan today and at 36 weeks bub is 7pd 1oz, which is a little scary as my first baby was 7pd 13oz born at 40 weeks. From what i could tell it is the verage size of a 38 - 39 week old bub. Well tomorrow i am having my appointments with the Ob and Diabetic doctors so hopefully i will have some more information in regards to what they are going to do as in induction, c/s and when possible date. I am really ready for bub to come now and Friday would be good but i think i would be dreaming as i think they will let me go for another 2 weeks to get to the 38th week. Plus my body may be over being pregnant but i am still not completely ready. I have to pack my bag for hospital, the baby's bag for hospital, wash bub's clothes (as our washing machine has decided to break) and get a car seat as my DH decided to wash the one we have but has now lost the metal piece that holds the straps at the back which is a major piece of the car seat. So really my body maybe really but other things are not. Tomorrow's plan after doctors is bags and clothes. Don't know what to do about carseat yet. Well my levels are still a bit funny i am finding that i am having 1 high level throughout the day but all the others seem to be within target so i am hoping that they will not increase my insulin again because i already feel that it is high enough.

Well take care everyone and hope to chat soon

Hey Trac,

I've sent you a heap of info! But I'm just curious - how much insulin are you on at present? Also, I haven't heard of someone being induced for GD prior to 38 weeks.

I must admit, I got really blase with mine at the end, but mine wasn't that high (only got up to 18 units) so I started to really not care if it went a bit higher (I think I went from 14 to 18 in the last few weeks). My feeling too is that once you get to the hospital - unless you're on an absolute tonne, it doesn't make a heap of difference to what they recommend you do. I know every time I went for a CTG, they'd say "why are you having a CTG?" and I'd say...er.. I guess it's cos i'm insulin-dependant GD?? And they'd go "ah yeah, that'd be it". It was a bit weird really! Plus my obs didn't order the CTG's till right at the end, so my endo seemed really surprised that I wasn't having them -but I only started at about 37 weeks.

Oh and I also got warned that GD babies can have some breathing difficulties (more likely if c-section), but certainly Xander's breathing was fine, and his APGAR scores were both 9. But they also said not to stress re the breathing, just to be aware it could happen.

And yes, I agree at the end of the day as long as you're both healthy (and you can have that chocky at last!), that's the main thing. And it will all be worth it when you're holding your beautiful baby!!

Cheers,
Belfie

hiya

i was going to be induced with isaac at 37 weeks (i think) because of the GD but got induced at 36 due to GD - insulin dependant, spilling protein in my urine and high bp. I also also asked about the monitoring as well but when i said GD insulin dependant they like oh yeah. I started having them at 30 weeks - weekly.

Also remember that they could go into special care for monitoring for blood sugars - but i think thats if you are on insulin and high amounts. I was on 80+ at night at then 20 or so units before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Angel

Hello Everyone

Just a quick update after my appointments.
DIABETES PROFESSOR - Well they have increased my insulin again, which i was not happy about but i keep thinking it is to help bub and that is the most important thing. I am now on 42 Units morning and 46 units night. I am hoping that once i delivery this bub then there will be no more pin *****s and no more injections yippppeeee
OB'S - Well they will be inducing me at either 38+4 or 38+5 days so only 2 weeks away. I am relieved that i am able to have a natural birth as bub's size now is around 3.2 kilo and are expecting bub to be around 3.6kilo at birth so around 8 pound, not to big not to small. There is not much fluid and it looks like it is all bub. But i have to remember it is just an estimate. I spoke to the OB about what happens with bub and was relieved to hear that bub will stay with me for at least 2 hours after the first feed, where they will then check levels to make sure they are not to low and then make the decision whether bub will need to go to Special Care. This was such a relief for me as i really didn't want to be separated from bub so early on. So if the decision is made that bub needs Special Care at least by then i will be able to walk around with bub.
Well i have finally organised bub's clothes they are washed and put in the cupboard, bub's bed is made ready for him/her to come home. The only thing i need to do is organise baby bag and my hospital bag but i will get around to it soon, i am sure.....prefably before 2 weeks time.

Megan - Welcome to the group, unfortunately not under better circumstances but it's a place to share, vent and query. As with most people who find out they have GD, there isn't alot of guidance so the more support you get the better you'll feel. This thread saved my sanity many a times...

Leigh26 - Congratulations on the birth of Lara. What a beautiful name!!!! I am in the same boat as you regarding having to go for the GTT again. My OB said I had to go 12 weeks post delivery (which is now :crying:) and I too have the same fears. I'm trying to avoid it at all cost and when i tried to see if my GP would say "no i don't think you need to take it again" I got the opposite and told me i had to!! :crying: so this week I'll need to book in for it.

Tracy73 - Good luck with the delivery of your bub... Let us know how you go.. The time will just fly by I'm sure.. Regarding what happens with bub after delivery, it really can differ from person to person so it's good to know the possibilities which we were advised during our antenatal classes at our hospital. In our case our DD stayed with us (born 4.22pm) till her 2nd feed (around 9pm) when she had her levels checked before I fed her. Her 1st BSL immediately after birth was fine but second was low so they took her to nursery for a FF comp along with some colostrum. Her third level was even lower so she had a feeding tube put in for hourly FF's overnight. She had to get 3 good levels and was allowed back in with me so she spent her first night in nursery but after that she was perfectly fine and feeding tube came out the next day. We were allowed to go and see her whenever we wanted and the nurse bought her back to us at 6am. We were told if she had another low level that they would come get us but if we didn't hear from them then all was going good and she'd be back at 6am. We went to the nursery for her fourth BSL and she got a 4.8 and I was relieved. So from then they continued feeding her via tube every hour to get her levels stabilised.

AFM - Chloe is now 12 weeks old and doing very well. For those new ladies we had a pretty straight forward birth. I had GD from the 26 week check and was diet controlled till the end. I only had 4 levels over 7.0 in the entire last 12 weeks of PG. I naturally went into labour 11 days early (although early signs of pre-eclampsia) and had a 10 hour labour. Chloe was 6lb 14oz (3.1kg) and did not get any jaundice. We stayed in hospital for 5 nights as my milk only came in on day 5.
Am due now to retake the GTT which scares the living c$^p out of me (as some will know). I've been having some indulgences since the birth but to be honest sweet foods make me think "don't eat it or the diabetes will come back!". I really just need to take the test and get it done so i can relax.

Well I best be off now and do some cleaning up while little miss is asleep. :)

hi ladies,

well i was diagnosed with GD 1.5 wks ago and after trying diet modification and increased excercise, my levels are still not "acceptable" so i am now booked in to see an endocrinologist next Monday 24 Novem to start insulin injections :cry: - how many of you in here have had to do injections?? - i am TERRIFIED of needles, so im stressed about the injections - even doing the pin ***** monitoring has been a struggle for me so im really worried about the injections for insulin :(

any advice you can give would be great....

Hi gill
I was like you in regards to needles i thought how could i possibly do this but to be honest with you and i am being VERY honest i find that the pin *****s on the fingers are alot worse than the injections. I have injections twice a day and they are fine. The first timeit is a weird sensation as you are giving yourself and injections but it becomes very routine and easy to do and trust me when i say this they dont hurt (well i haven't found them too anyway). I was only given a week to see if food would keep my numbers down and within that week my levels were very high and i was put on insulin with 7 days. I have now been injecting insulin for about 6 weeks or so and it is ok. The best advice i got from this thread was that it is MEDICINE FOR THE BABY and our priority is to look after ourselves and have a healthy happy decent sized bub. My thoughts are with you and if you want to chat feel free at anytime.
AFM - Well it looks like i will be induced next week, we will find out the date on Tuesdy but it will probably be either Thursday or Friday. I am starting to get a little nervous now as flashbacks of my first daughters birth is becoming real. I am having trouble sleeping and up every 2-3 hours as i have pain in my groin and need to constantly wee. My levels have been all over the place again and i have been having a few hypos' lately. To be honest with you all i believe it is time for bub to come out i have had enough. Bring on next week if i hve a similiar labour to my first child it should be over within an hour to two hours and i will get to hold my precious bub..yipppeee
Take Care Everyone

Hi all,

I have been diagnosed with GD. Again I know it is early (I am 15 weeks pregnant), but I have PCOS and Insulin Resistant, thyroid problem, so they have been watching it.

I am currently on 3000 mg of Metformin, but am blood testing myself every morning before breakfast and 2 hours after every meal.

At this stage, I seem to be controlling it, with the help of metformin and don't at this stage have to have insulin.

Any hints on controlling it???

I am still going through what I can eat and what I can't and struggling with it a little bit.

I find that my bloods before breakfast seem a little high (but still under range) and I don't know why.

Any help will be really appreciated...

xxx Sue xxx

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd pop my head in here. Have been diagnosed with GD again which is a bit of a bummer but seeing as I did it all last time, it's not such a big shock to the system this time. Bit of history on me. Was diagnosed with GD at 29 weeks with Amy and kept blood sugars under control with diet and exercise but Amy still decided to arrive 3.5 weeks early and still weighed 7pound4! She would've been pretty big at full term methinks! Had my GTT at 9 weeks post birth mainly cos I couldn't face doing it at 6 weeks and unfortunately was diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance so was prepared to have GD this time around. had to have the GTT at 18 weeks this time so we could start controlling early so joy, I have 20 weeks of monitoring compared to 7 last time! Doesn't seem so bad this time around though having to do the monitoring. Last time seemed like it was never going to end but this time I guess I'm a lot more relaxed. And because my diet never went back to the way it was because of the IGT we haven't had to make too many changes to my diet. Yay! Still wish I didn't have it though. Let's hope this time around I can keep it under control again. Sorry for lack of personals but just had a chance to pop my head in quickly and so haven't read up on your journeys yet. Will do so now.

oooh lots of new ladies here! That's kinda good & bad really - gives you all more company but shame that you've all got to put up with it!

NikW - that's a shame about the IGT and getting GD again but great that the dietary changes aren't so hard this time around. It sounds like you're going to do brilliantly, good on you! I'm intrigued that you were supposed to do your GTT 6 weeks post-birth. Mine was supposed to be 12 weeks (I think? like snowchickie) but i saw my obs and he didn't mention it at all! So i GUESS I should call up and get the referral. Plus I don't think my GP knows I had GD cos I've changed GP's (mine went on mat leave!)... so I could be sneaky, but i know in the long run that's not wise. So anyways, my GTT is due to be done on Xmas day haha! Not likely!

sryan - welcome to the group. Re hints for controlling it, google low glycaemic index foods and also look at Diabetes Australia website - there's lots of handy stuff there. I know exercise is meant to really help control levels, as well as making sure you have protein as part of your meals/snacks & 5 small meals a day - stuff like that. I found this link in particular was good (especially the Healthy Eating for Gestational Diabetes Fact Sheet). Good luck with it and post your questions here, everyone is really helpful :)

Trac73 - OMG next week that is very exciting, can't wait to hear your announcement! All the best with it.

gill77 - I agree with what Trac said, and I also had to do insulin (after a few weeks it became clear that diet control wasn't doing it for me). I spent the weekend before starting them being PETRIFIED... but honestly the anticipation was worse than the actual thing I think. Firstly, they're not like real big blood taking needles or anything like that. They're much shorter & finer... very very little & fine actually! I would say they were no worse than the finger pr!cking, and if you're lucky, you might only have to do it once a day (that was me). I found the first one or two mentally stressful (had DH there cheering me on - he also offered to do it for me) and then after that it got pretty routine. You can do it, and you'll be amazed what you can do for your little bubba. And you know what? After I'd had to learn to do it, and discovered I was ok with it - I felt pretty darn proud of myself. So good luck with it, post in here and sending big :hug: to help you get through it. It DOES get better.

Megan - hi, hope you're going ok.

Snowchickie, Becci, Tennykins, Angelraez, sorry hope i haven't forgotten anyone else, hope you're all doing great :D

For me, we're going well. Xander has stacked on an impressive 2kg in 7 weeks and is a gorgeous happy little bubba - I couldn't ask for more!

For the new ladies, I was diagnosed with GD after monitoring BSL's (I stuffed up the GTT by vomiting 1 1/2 hours in), went on insulin (protaphane) in the mornings, starting on 8 units, and going up to 18 by the time X was born. I also have dietary restrictions due to Fructose Malabsorption (I can't eat wheat, onion, most fruit and some other vegies), and i found the dietary changes with GD AND being PG very hard. Re the birth, I was induced at 39 weeks, and he was born with the assistance of forceps (and failed suction) after a 12 hour labour (with epidural). I had a fabulous doula and was very proud of my birth. Xander went to special care nursery but had ok BSL's for the first 24 hours (but was topped up with formula) and roomed with me mostly. He also spent about 60 hours under lights for pretty bad jaundice. I spent a whopping 8 days in hospital, oh and X weighed 7lbs 7oz. I'm happy to answer any questions re my birth or GD stuff here or by PM :)

Cheers,
Belfie

thanks for the warm welcome Trac & Belfie and trying to alay my fear of injecting!! - im hoping that i will only have to do the insulin once a day, but i guess i wont know anymore until i see the endocrinologist on Monday :pray:

will keep you all posted on how it goes :)

Hi Girls,

Snowchickie - Have you been for your GTT yet? Good luck and let us know how you got on. I have been told to go for mine 6 - 8 weeks after birth and that will be in 2 - 4 wks time. But I think I might wait until just after xmas to go. I couldn't handle xmas if I've just be diagnosed with diabetes. It would ruin my day I think.

Sue - Good to see you've joined the group. As I said in my pm to you that these girls are full of useful information and it is great to chat to people who know what you're going through. :pray: you can control yours through diet and execise alone.

Trac - Not long to go now. Cant wait to hear how everything goes.

Nik - Welcome to the group. Sorry it couldnt be for better circumstances.

Hi Belfie, I am glad that Xander is such a good baby. 2kg in 7 wks, that's great.

When I had Lara she actually spent the first night in special care. They monitored her bsl's and they were all good. She was given formula in there as well.

Better go, hi to anyone that I may have missed.

NikW - Hi NikW and welcome to the thread. That is no good about your IGT and it is my biggest fear at present as I'm about to retake my GTT post birth. I'm curious if you had any symptoms of the IGT beforehand??? Although i may not want to know the answer. I'm booked for my GTT this coming Thursday so I start the 3 day diet on Monday.. I haven't had any symptoms (while PG i got the excessive thirst part of it - but that has gone) so I'm hoping and praying that i get the all clear. It has really been a big part of my thoughts since birth and I've been dreading it since..

With your IGT what do you have to do to avoid getting full diabetes? Did you fall into any of the pre-defined risk groups?

Leigh26 - As per above reply no I haven't taken the GTT again yet. I have it booked in for this coming Thursday and start the 3 day diet on Monday. My Endo said 6-8 weeks but my OB said 12 weeks and that is the referral he gave me. All the more happy to let my body have as much time as possible to get back to all good. I am feeling this is going to be a highly anxious/nervous week for me and even worse till I get the results which because it's so late in the week I assume I'll have to wait over the weekend for.. :) :(

AFM - Eagerly awaiting this week to just be over with and to get my GTT results. I'm sure everyone can tell I'm REALLY nervous and unfortunately I've put it off as long as I can. Chloe is 14 weeks on Monday so should really have been taken when she was 12 weeks. I'm hoping that the fact that I feel fine is a good sign.. :pray::pray::pray:
Planning to try and keep myself as occupied as I can this week with something to do each day which requires me to get out of the house.

Snowchickie - Good luck for Thursday. I know I will be a nervous wreck when I have to take my GTT again. When I was pregnant I had the excessive thirst as well. It had gone since I've had Lara but this week I have been soooo thirsty once again. I live in Cairns and the weather has been boiling hot all week (34 degrees) so I am hoping Im thirsty coz of the heat but It has made me panic a bit. Everytime I am dying of thirst I say to my husband, hope I dont have diabetes. I've tested my bsl a few times this week, just out of curiosity and after I've eaten a bit of junk food and my levels have been fine.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. Hopefully you wont have to wait til after the weekend for your results.

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome.

Belfie - not sure why it was 6 weeks. I think that was just hospital policy but I was naughty and ignored them and then went to my GP when I was ready to face it at 9 weeks. Didn't really expect to have anything wrong but oh well. That's awful about your fructose malabsorption. Sounds like you can barely eat anything normally ;-) so pregnancy must have made it especially hard! There's no way I'd do a GTT anywhere near xmas!!!

Snowchickie - nope no symptoms here of IGT but even with GD I never had sugar in my urine or any real symptoms really except of course the usual pregnancy ones. Then again i was pretty depressed after DD's birth so probably didn't notice anything. Although even after I was diagnosed, still didn't notice anything that would suggest I have it. The only risk factor I have is my grandfather had Type 2 diabetes. he only recently died of complications from it. But I'm not overweight and never have been, am young, have a pretty good diet anyway blah blah blah so who knows. Am just unlucky genetically I guess. With IGT I just have to eat like I do when i have GD to avoid diabetes. Not so bad really. I don't have to monitor or anything....oh and I have to have a GTT every 6 months. Don't stress too much about your follow up GTT. The way I see it is if you have it, you have it. Better to find out now, then when you've got diabetes or complications from it and there's not much you can do. Plus I've found during my monitoring that stress really increases my BSL's so maybe do some meditation or something the day before you go ;-) Good luck honey. You'll be fine. Do you have any HX of diabetes in your family? Crossing my fingers for you for Thursday

Welcome Gill, sorry to hear about your GD diagnosis. I am only new around here too, not quite 3 weeks and still trying to get my head around things. Can I ask what your levels were in the first week or so after your diagnosis. I have a feeling I might be heading towards being on insulin as well as mine have been a bit all over the place as well. How did your appt go?

Welcome to syran and NikW too. A couple of early birds like me :) I was diagnosed at 17w.

Since I am still trying to figure things out, I'm not sure how serious my GD educator is going to treat my situation. I was doing really well for the first 1.5 wks. I lost 2kgs, my levels were good, but it all seems to have gone belly up since Thursday. I have being eating the same things but I have had a 9.8, 8.4, 8.9, 8.1 and 7.6. My fasting levels have been between 5.7-6.4. I guess the only thing that changed a little was exercise. Given the wild wet and windy weather, I was doing less walking and I finished up at my job last week as well so possibly was under a bit more stress than usual.
I called my DE this morning and she wants to see me this afternoon. Do you think I am likely to be put on insulin with levels like these over a few days?

Thank you so much for the warm welcome girls.

It is really daunting isnt it.

I find that at the moment I am finding out what effects my system and what doesnt.

Though I am struggling with the morning fasting test.

What do you girls have for a before bed snack???? I have tried having a glass of milk and a few almonds, but it is still just above the range.

It is so good to have you girls and all the information we can pass onto each other.

I am a little quiet at the moment, as I get to know you guys, but reading all your posts.

Thanks for all your help

xxx Sue xxx

Hi Everybody :)

Well had my appt with the Endo yesterday and i have to do 3 shots of insulin per day, 4 units each (so 12 in total which im told is quite low?) - well so far i've only done 2 injections, and yes i had a sook, i think its more that i expected it to hurt (which it did but more of a sting than acutal pain) .....you girls were right though, i think the pin pri*k hurts a bit more!..

Megan - yeah i've only been dealing with GD for about 3 weeks now and it was clear pretty much from the start that diet modification and excercise weren't going to be enough - my initial readings ranged anywhere from 5.9-9.8 and my DE advised if i had 3 or more readings over 7.0 id most likely have to go on insulin, and well, i had my first 3 readings over 7.0 on the second day of doing testing - so yeah, she didnt waste anytime and told me to organise with my OB's nursing staff to get me into see and Endo asap - and well the rest as they say is history!

i know ive only just started the insulin injections last night and my reading after dinner was good 6.2, but afer b/fast today it was 7.0 so i think im going to have trouble with my morning bsl as they are almost always over 7.0.....is it possible that the Endo will increase the morning dose only or do they do it across the board?

Sue, I have struggled with my fasting BSL since I started as well. I hardly ever remember to have a before bed snack. I have had a glass of milk a few times, but most of the time nothing and my fasting BSL is still up. My diabetes educator said it is hormonal because in the early hours of the morning your body produces a growth hormone which causes BSL's to rise. She said all I can do is make sure I test early in the morning (which I was anyway) and try and remember to have a snack before bed. She didn't seem too concerned when I first talked to her about it because they were just above the range and all of my other readings were fine.

Gill, sorry I can't help you with your insulin increase question...yet! lol I have a feeling I'll be there with you soon. I can totally understand the sook over the needles. I did a few IVF cycles and I'm pretty sure the needles are the same and barely hurt, but it still freaks me out.

Saw my DE yesterday and I have to go and see an endo and see what he thinks. Having trouble getting through to his rooms, but hopefully I will be able to get in this week. I am so relieved I am not working this week. These high levels have really had me feeling stressed, which I am sure is not helping my BSL's either.

gill77, yip they will just adjust the insulin for the meal that needs it. I had more problems with my breakfast reading than the others and ended up on 40,16,28 and 32 overnight.

Megan, if you are eating the right amounts of low GI food and are still getting readings like that then it is rather likely they will put you on insulin. It is actually sort of liberating to be on insulin because you can actually eat things without making your BSL's too high iykwim

I was able to get an appt with the endo this afternoon. I really just want this sorted out.
Had trouble with my breakfast level this morning. First reading was 4.4, which I thought was really low for me (especially lately), so I did it again straight away and got a 6.3. Could I be doing something wrong for them to vary so much? Now makes me wonder if all the others I've taken are right, and am I really getting high readings?

Hello Ladies

Jsut a quick update as to what is happening with me.
I have had my appointments today where i have seent he diabetes professor and my obs.
Diabetes Professor - Basically he has told me that i have to reduce my insulin the morning of my iduction by half (hich will be nice). Bub will be able to stay with me for at least an hour or two depending on levels and then may need to go to Special care for monitoring but we are crossing fingers that this doesn't happen and that they will be able to monitor bub while with me. My levels are good finally there have been a few discrepencies but i think they are due to me not being that good over the past week as i am just over the whole thing at the moment. And the hypos are to do with that i am due to eat and haven't been able too cause once i do the treatment numbers go back t where they should be.
OBS - Well i have a date and i will be induced on Thursday morning of this week yipppeee. I ma so over this pregnancy as i am in so much pain, tired and just feel damn huge. They willbe inducing me at 8am with the first lot of gel and we are hoping this will be enough for bub's head to fully engage and then break my waters, as this is what happened with my first bub and then she was born 2hrs 20 mins later. I am crossing my fingers that this one will follow the same pattern, so please everyone pray for me for it to happen. I had an internal done todya and i am in so much pain it is not funny, the OBS had me in tears, they are hoping that this may help and i will go into natural labour within the next 24 hours, i am not getting my hopes up but wouldn't it be nice.
Well i better go and finsih packing my bag as i know that i am definately going to hospital on Thursday morning. Grandparents have been organised to come from the coast tomorrow to help with Brearna so all is good.

Sorry this is a me post but i have been lurking and reading what everyone is up too and look forward to chatting to you all soon
Trac

Trac,

I want to wish you all the best for Thursday.

I will be thinking of you and hoping it all goes well.

xxx Sue xxx