Gestational Diabetes

Hi Ashleigh, I’ve been diagnosed with it as well however the only readings that are high for me are my fasting ones. I think they will probs put me on metformin because that reading is the one we have the least control over. I don’t have an answer but I would suggest if you are having constant high readings to contact your diabetic nurse. They seemed quite keen for me to stay in touch if I felt I was having high readings. Especially as you have now started the medication. I would give them a call in the morning and see what they have to say. The biggest risk for baby is that it triggers the baby to produce insulin and grow big. I assume you are booked in for regular scans? If not ask them to as they need to monitor baby’s growth. I was also asked to join a gestational diabetes webinar teams chat, which was quite informative so maybe ask if they have something like that? Try not to stress, easier said than done but give them a call ☺️ xxx

I also have GD, diagnosed at 32 weeks (2 weeks ago) because of a growth spurt in baby. I'm also on Metformin - started last week on 500mg at night as my fasting levels are the concern. Today has it upped to 1,000mg in the evening and if that doesn't help my numbers I've also been told insulin injections is the next step. There's a Gestational Diabetes group on here, and I'd highly recommend checking out the Gestational Diabetes UK website as not all hospitals give out the best advice (some of it is quite dated). I've also joined a Facebook group that has been a big help if only to see that there's lots of us out there in the same boat. Unfortunately not all GD can be controlled with diet and exercise - but agree with Christina, get a call in to your team to talk through your concerns. GD is a progressive condition, with a real spike in readings between 32 - 36 weeks. Here to chat if you want as it does feel very daunting at times 💛

Hiya I also have gd and had to start insulin due to me fasting readings being too high. Its not as bad as I thought. Injections don't hurt and my readings are better. Babies growth and measurements are completely normal atm. I was very upset initially of the thought of having to go on insulin but tolerating it all fine. They should be keeping a eye on you and your readings. Hope.all goes well 😁

I started on one Metformin after breakfast and one after dinner, then two weeks later it increased to two after breakfast and two after dinner. Two weeks later I was put on 2 insulin in the morning and 2 in the evening (as well as metformin) last week this increased to 4 insulin per morning and per evening. I was absolutely dreading insulin, the thought of injections etc. but it’s actually not as bad as I thought and I have seen a huge improvement in my numbers

Hi Ashleigh, I have diagnosed with the same 7 weeks ago. Initially I tried to control with diet and exercise but my readings after breakfast and lunch were so high then they put me on metformin 500 after breakfast. I still see spikes in my readings sometimes. Also, the same food behaves differently when I eat in lunch and dinner so for me it is also very unpredictable. What I am doing extra other than food is always do 1 km walk immediately after lunch and dinner that is keeping my readings in range. check if this is doable for you and also if it works for you or not as every body is different. Hope we all sail through this phase as I know how stressful this is.

Can’t give advice but just to make you feel better I’m on a shite load of insulin and mines still uncontrolled as fuck 🤣😩 baby is on the bigger side but not huge for this gestation, I know a few people without GD who’s baby’s are measuring bigger and the consultants arnt too worried at all, I have been told Ill likely need to be induced at 38 weeks due to being on insulin though x

I was put on metformin and insulin straight away at 25 weeks as soon as they found out about my GD. My numbers were just way too high. I wouldn’t worry too much. My doses have been increased every week since then and I’m 35 weeks tomorrow. I just think it is what it is. My body needs help to regulate its insulin production and it’s keeping my baby safe by making sure she doesn’t get too much sugar. Just follow the advice and I’m sure all will be fine 🥰

Are you part of the fb group, lots of mums on there in the same boat. GD can be a rough ride, it’s progressive so can get harder from weeks 32-36, be kind to yourself as what works well in earlier weeks suddenly seems to cause spikes in later weeks. GD can really take an emotional toll, hope you’re holding up okay hun. 💜

@Courtney same!! I’ve been told induction between 38 and 39 weeks. What dose are you on now? I take 2000 of metformin per day, 7 humalog with breakfast, 5 with lunch, 10 with tea and 18 Humulin at bedtime. And I still got a 10.5 after breakfast yesterday when the same food was 6.4 the day before 😂😂😂

Hey, I also have GD, and have been put on highest dose of metformin and been told next steps will be insulin with metformin. My consultant has informed me if I’m put on insulin I will have to be induced at 37 weeks if not the longest they will let me go is 39 weeks. You will have extra scans to check babies growth as baby can be small or big, so in some respects you get to see baby more :) I would assume your consultant would have regular oversight as will your diabetic midwife? X

I also have GD, tested & diagnosed at 28wks - first 2wks were fine however I was then told I needed to be prescribed metformin to take with evening meal (due to my morning reading - at most it was .3 over the required 5.5). Just this morning I've been told I've to increase to 2 metfromin with evening meal as it's not brought it down as much as they expected it would. They did initially warn me that insulin would be the next step if metformin didn't help. However, due to our hormones & lots of different factors, we could end up with crazy readings even when our diet is controlled. I'm just running with it now, doing as I'm told & taking it day by day. There's no room for any spike at all, for any reason in pregnancy, but I'm just taking it that they're being cautious (which I'd rather than feeling they didn't care). It's a hard one to get your head round for definate. You'll get there & try not to fret the insulin, if that's what needs to happen so be it (as much as I know it's not ideal) x