Wondering if I should take insulin?

[juz]

Hi all you lovely shelias...(it is aussie day after all!!!)

A bit of history first....

Im about 10 weeks with bub no. 5.

My first kiddo I didnt have GD with. (hes 15)
2nd I did have GD. ( shes 6)
3rd I didnt. (she is 5)
4th I did. (he is 3)

Both times were controlled by diet quite well, and on wakeing my readings were always under 5.

This time round, my readings are vary rarely under 5 in the mornings, and are a bit higher all round.

I really, really dont want to go on insulin, even thogh I have to say I dont know much about it at all.

Im currently about 68kg, and never been overweight.
Babys were all healthy and the biggest I had was 2nd at a bit over 8 pound, ( sorry, kinda stuck on the old weight... I can "see" it better in my head)
so no big bubbas to worry about at all.

My thinking is that being just that bit over is just a number and if my diet is well controlled there really shouldnt be an issue.
I will unfortunatlly will have to have a cs.... (another story all together) So bub will have to come out early.... though not as early as Drs will like, but,
been there before and wont be letting any one take bub out before Im ready!.

So wonder what your thoughts are about refusing to take insulin and any ramifications you could give me some info on would be appreicated!

Thanks

[skybie]

When u say not under 5, what are your morning levels hun?

[juz]

My morning readings are usually around the 5.4 - 5.6 mark.

I try to do some exercise on my cross trainer in the morings to help bring it down before I eat, but with school looming, I wont beable to do this so easily.!

[black_rose]

It's borderline for them to want you to take the insulin then, it will probably depend on your levels during the day.

[skybie]

no i dont think you need to go on insulin.
definetly keep an eye on things though, if your fasting levels get into the 7s before you have your GD test then go and see a dr.
If you do end up on insulin, its not so bad, and always remember when your baby arrives you can stop taking it.
If you need any advice just pm me. ive got type 1 diabetes and this is my second pregnancy with it

[juz]

My levels during the day are about right. around 7 about 2 hrs after eating.
Its just that morning one is a bit high to me.

I would just like to feel ok and informed when...if Dr wants to put me on it.

[skybie]

Keep up with monthly checks with your GP, if its decided you need to go on insulin, then your dr will refer u to a diabetes specialist who will go through using insulin with you.
Keep checking your bsl's you can get log books at the chemist to record your readings in to make it easier for you and your dr to rises.
My morning levels range between 5-6 and all is well hun

[RhiChiChi]

I don't think you need insulin, the levels are very boarderline. Just check on what you are eating at night b/c this can affect your readings in the morning. So ensure you stick to low GI (ie: no white potato). I know a few times I went a little nuts at night & last night reading was fine but morning reading was screwed!

[Mak]

Has anyone suggested a supper/night snack? I found that my levels were lower in the morning if I had one rather than fast for longer. ITMS. Youghurt/cheese/snack right bikkie/nuts/peanut butter on vita weet were my favs.

[skybie]

milo and milk is also good as its slow release

[juz]

Hey Mak, that sounds like a lovely idea!!!

Hubby wasnt home last night, and kiddos in bed early, so I just thought, I couldnt be bothered to cook anything.... so I had toast with honey & penut butter....... 3 bits of toast!!!

I was expecting my levels to be sky high this morning, but to my suprise it was only 5.2, about the lowest reading Iv had so far! So maybe that suggustion of a snack is a good one.... will try!

[BlackRose]

Juz - just remember that your baby will be affected by your GD once he/she is born. Controlling it as best as possible (insulin or diet controlled) means your baby won't have as many complications after birth. I would do what the doctor recommends as if you need insulin, then take it. My baby was in the special care nursery for 2 days with a tube into his stomach to help get his blood sugars stabilised and I controlled my GD very well with diet and exercise. I would hate to think what would have happened if I didn't and I felt sooooooo guilty as well for not doing more.

Good luck hun!!

[BlackRose]

Also.. Your levels look great so hopefully you won't have to go down the insulin path!! Fingers crossed!!

[juz]

Thanks for the feed back lovely ladies.

My levels are staying pretty stable, being my 3rd bub with GD, Im getting pretty good at being inventive with food and really understanding lables on food.... not just reading them!

Thanks for that caution blackrose, mustve been scary for you and bub.
None of my bubs had any problem at all when they were born, not that Im being dismissive of anything going wrong, and if I really cant keep this under control I will of course go down the insulin road,
but I just have this feeling that I just shouldnt do it for some reason???

Thanks again

[fionas]

I think if you're controlling your diet, doing a bit of exercise and monitoring your levels that's really all you can do.

I don't see insulin as a bad thing. I controlled my diabetes very well with diet up to a point. DD2 (my GD baby) was two pounds lighter than DD1, I only put on two kilos in the whole pregnancy (despite not being able to walk very much let alone exercise due to SPD) and I weighed 9 kilos less than my pre-pregnancy weight immediately after she was born. BUT, my endocrinologist told me that there's only so much you can do with diet and that it gets worse on its own. That's the nature of the beast, so I had to go on insulin. No big deal to me and I would rather inject myself than deal with crippling tiredness whilst dealing with a tantruming toddler.

You just do what you can do.