Gestational diabetes

[destiny121]

Hi ladies, just wondered if you could help me. I had my glucose test on Monday and i just got in work to a letter from nhs. They state that I have been booked in to see the diabetes nurse, no explanation or anything and that I’ll have a session on how to use a blood glucose monitor... errrr hello!’ Why is this? Why was there no explanation and what does this mean for me and baby. Please help- thank you xx

[Kempton]

Perhaps the results of your blood sugar came back high. They probably want to advise you on how to keep healthy during pregnancy and there's a risk you'll have a very big baby. It's mostly diet advice I believe.

[destiny121 in reply to Kempton]

Omg - risk about a big baby? Why is this?

[Kempton in reply to destiny121]

I'm not sure sorry. But if the mum dvelops gestational diabetes then she risks a very big baby

[destiny121 in reply to Kempton]

Ahh I see... hopefully not then xx

[Hidden]

Sounds like your blood sugar result may show gestational diabetes. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have a very big baby- the team will go through treatment options with you depending on your sugar levels and monitor you. You might find the below helpful

nhs.uk/conditions/gestation...

tommys.org/pregnancy-inform...

[destiny121 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Zoe... thanks for responding... does this mean I definitely have gd or could my sugar levels have been high... I’m

So confused...

[Hidden in reply to destiny121]

It sounds like you could have gestational diabetes -normally picked up by a blood test showing a raised blood sugar level. I have to say, I’m not impressed by the hospital just sending you a letter rather than giving you a call and chatting to you on the phone. It all seems a bit quick so I would give you midwife a call tomorrow just to double check that there has not been a mistake.

Xx

[destiny121 in reply to Hidden]

Ahh thank you... I’ll definitely give them a call ASAP.... very unprofessional and it’s worried me massively... seems as if it can be controlled though so remaining calm x

[Hidden in reply to destiny121]

Absolutely lots that can be done and still lots of information that you don’t have so well done for staying calm xx

[destiny121 in reply to Hidden]

Also Zoe.. I read on the nhs you should be tested between 24-28 weeks and I’m only 19 weeks today, will that matter at all? D

[Hidden in reply to destiny121]

That is unusual- not sure why they tested so early. Unless you have a few risk factors for it but my understanding has always been that the test is later. But maybe this particular hospital test earlier and try more lifestyle intervention first.

Let us know how you get on x

[Kloulou83]

Hi there

I got gestational diabetes when pregnant with my twins. I had three glucose tests and my final one came back high. I met with a diabetes nurse who explains how to manage via diet. It’s limited carbs and no sugar. They give you a home blood sugar monitor. It’s a tiny pin prick needle in a pen and then you put the blood from your finger into a sugar level monitor. You need to track your levels and if you get a high reading ring the hospital. I never had a high reading in three months and was absolutely fine straight after having my babies.

I ate ALOT of sugar at the beginning. It was my craving and I perhaps overdid the chocolate 🙈 the reason they tested me was because my babies were measuring large in the abdominal area.

The risk to babies is mainly that they will be large, although there are other risks.

Please try not to worry. It’s a bit of a lifestyle change but no medication if you can keep it under control with diet.

Xx

[destiny121 in reply to Kloulou83]

Thank you so much, very reassuring... I was drinking a lot of lemonade and indulged a bit too much after a horrid 1st trimester and my mum and my Nan are both diabetic... ohh and lucky you with the twins xxx

[Kloulou83 in reply to destiny121]

I was obsessed with fizzy drinks and sugar. When I tried to limit chocolate I ended up eating loads of fruit 🙈🙈. The GD actually helped me as got me eating better and stopped me getting three times bigger than I was already (which was huge!!!) xx

[destiny121 in reply to Kloulou83]

Lol...I’m hoping this will be the same with me.... currently sat with my granola breakfast lol

[becci81]

Hi, you were probably tested early as there is diabetes in you immediate family. I had gd with my first pregnancy. Had to test sugar levels but managed to control everything with diet. I was scanned more often and monitored by consultant. I ended up being induced at 38 weeks but my baby actually only weighed 6lb 2oz! No where near being a big baby. I agreed to being induced but with hindsight would have asked to wait another week, I think he would have been bigger but the sugar control slowed him down. I agree with previous poster that it was a bit off not getting a phone call to explain everything. Good luck. X

[destiny121 in reply to becci81]

Thanks for sharing your story... it seems as if gd can be monitored with diet so I’ll just have to change it... I was panicking about the effect on the baby but it seems lots of women get it and is ok as long as it’s diagnosed and managed... thank you xx

[Bumble124t]

Hi, I was tested at 18 and 28 weeks and both came back fine. Had a 32 week scan (low papp A growth hormone so they were seeing if she was growing okay) and ironically found she's a little on the chunky side. At 36 week scan she was showing up on the 97th centile so did another GD test this time a 48 hour test where you check your sugar by doing a finger prick test an hour after every meal and my evening readings were elevated so the midwife diagnosed me with GD, adjusted diet (just cut carbs in evening) and not had a high reading since. Will be 38 weeks on Tuesday, have first appointment with diabetes clinic and a scan on Wednesday so will see if she's gone even higher up but they're going to do 2 sweeps next week to try and get her out early.

Absolutely petrified about the risks associated with a big baby so really hoping the sweeps work.

[destiny121]

Ahhh bless you.. never easy is it. I’m sure little baba will be fine and so will you.. at least she’s strong and healthy... it’s also good to know that you’re being monitored closely.. please keep me posted xxx